Continuously tunable single-mode twenty-atmosphere CO2 laser

Multi-atmosphere CO 2 lasers can provide continuous gain over bands 20 to 30 cm -1 wide in each R and P branch of the 00 0 yields 10 0 and 00 0 1 yields 02 0 0 bands, covering approximately 60 percent of the 9.2-10.8 micrometers region. By contrast, the spectrum of a typical low pressure CO 2 lasers is 99 percent empty. We describe design studies and the construction of a 20-atmosphere laser that will operate on a single longitudinal model and prove mode-to-mode tunability, thus effecting a useful compromise between the narrow-line capability of a low pressure laser and the broad tunability of a multi-atmosphere laser. One important application of this laser is to pump double-Raman processes in methyl fluoride which will shift the narrow linewidth and tunability to the 150 to 650 micrometers region of the far IR.