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Discovery of Optically Pumped Far-infrared Laser Emissions from Formic Acid and its Isotopologues

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Abstract

An optically pumped molecular laser system with a transverse excitation scheme has been used to generate far-infrared radiation. Over 100 laser emissions with wavelengths up to 1.03 mm have been detected with this system using formic acid and several of its isotopologues. This includes ten new laser lines which are reported with their operating pressure, power, polarization with respect to the CO2 pump laser, and wavelength measured to an uncertainty of ± 0.5 μm.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (Award No. 0910935), the Washington Space Grant Consortium (Award No. NNX10AK64H), and the Central Washington University Science Honors Research Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, USA

    K. Olivier, B. DeShano & M. Jackson

  2. Department of Physics, Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, USA

    B. Cain

  3. Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, USA

    L. R. Zink

Authors
  1. K. Olivier
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  2. B. DeShano
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  3. B. Cain
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  4. L. R. Zink
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  5. M. Jackson
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Correspondence to M. Jackson.

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Olivier, K., DeShano, B., Cain, B. et al. Discovery of Optically Pumped Far-infrared Laser Emissions from Formic Acid and its Isotopologues. J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves 35, 419–424 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-014-0055-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-014-0055-2

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