Discovery and characterization of optically pumped far-infrared laser emissions using laser magnetic resonance spectroscopy

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 86; no. 2; pp. 303 - 307
• Main Authors: JACKSON, M, ZINK, L. R, FLORES-MIJANGOS, J, ROBINSON, A, BROWN, J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-01-2007
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic properties and interactions with photons; Carbon dioxide; Emission spectroscopy; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Gas lasers including excimer and metal-vapor lasers; Infrared, submillimeter wave, microwave and radiowave instruments, equipment and techniques; Infrared, submillimeter wave, microwave and radiowave sources; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Lasers; Magnetic resonance; Optics; Physics; Pumps; Radicals; Spectral emissivity; Spectral lines; Zeeman and stark effects; Infrared laser; Magnetic resonance; Laser spectroscopy; Optical pumping; Magnetic resonance spectrometers; Gas lasers; Carbon dioxide lasers
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-006-2419-3

A laser magnetic resonance spectrometer has been used to discover and subsequently measure a far-infrared laser emission: the 166.6-micron line of CH2F2, optically pumped by the 9P24 CO2 laser. By recording spectra for the NH radical, the frequency of this laser emission has been determined to be 1799950?13 MHz. Spectra for the NH radical were also recorded with two other far-infrared laser emissions: the 160.4-micron line of N2H4 (9P46 CO2 pump) and the 328.6-micron line of 13CH3OH (9P12 CO2 pump). From the NH spectra, a discrepancy of 2.1 GHz with the previously measured laser frequency was identified for the 160.4-micron line. A three-laser heterodyne system was then used to remeasure the frequency to be 1868475.5?0.5 MHz. The NH spectra were also used to determine the frequency for the 328.6-micron line to be 912366?7 MHz, in agreement with the value previously calculated from the Rydberg--Ritz combination principle.