cw optically pumped 12-μm NH3 laser

Abstract
A 30‐W cw CO2 laser operating on the R(30) 9‐μm transition is used to pump a ring laser cavity containing NH3. Emission at 12.08 μm is observed with cw output power of 180 mW. A Raman process is shown to be responsible for the gain at 12.08 μm.