High-power narrow-line pulsed 496-μm laser

Abstract
The design and operation of a pulsed high‐power narrow‐line CH3F oscillator‐amplifier laser system is described. The dielectric waveguide oscillator produces output in a single longitudinal mode with linewidth less than 40 MHz and sufficient power (∼11 kW) to saturate the far‐infrared emission transition at the amplifier input. Pumped by ∼8 J of CO2, the amplifier has produced up to 156 kW of narrow‐line 496‐μm output. The amplifier gain is found to be sensitively dependent upon the relative timing of the FIR oscillator and CO2 pump pulses.