Diode-pumped CW molecular lasers

First continuous laser oscillation on many lines in the range of 533–635 nm on different transitions of \(\hbox {Na}_{2}\) and \(\hbox {Te}_{2}\) molecules has been obtained, optically pumped with common cw blue emitting InGaN diode lasers operating around 445 and 460 nm. Spectral narrowing of the diode laser is achieved with a beamsplitter and grating setup, allowing use of more than 50 % of the diode power. Operation conditions and properties of the laser systems are presented, and perspectives for the realization of compact low cost molecular lasers are discussed.