10-W cw optically pumped 12-μm NH3 laser

Abstract
A 37‐W cw CO2 laser operating on the R(30) 9‐μm transition is used to pump a linear waveguide cavity containing NH3. Raman emission at 12.08 μm is observed with a cw output power of 10.2 W. This performance represents a photon conversion efficiency of >40%, the highest yet reported for a cw optically pumped infrared laser.