The energy exchange and the optimum length of the sample tube of opfirl

The energy exchange between the pumping laser and FIR signal in the optically pumped FIR laser (OPFIRL) system was studied. The iteration method has been used to calculate the power density of the pumping and FIR signals at any point along the optical axis of the sample tube. It was found that the power density of the FIR signal did not always increase along the length of the laser tube. There was a maximum FIR power density at the appropriate point in the sample tube. If the distance of maximum power point from the entrance of the OPFIRL tube was taken as the length of sample tube Z_opt, the maximum FIR laser output should be obtained. This was the optimum length of OPFIRL tube. The value of Z_opt was closely related to the parameter of OPFIRL such as the pumping power density, the pumping detuning and the frequency of the FIR laser. The energy-exchange and the maximum output of the fir laser were calculated under the ideal condition.     

Theoretical study of multi-mode optically pumped NH3 FIR laser

The two or multi-mode optically pumped NH₃ FIR laser had been studied theoretically. The NH₃ molecular gas was assumed to be a three-level system and obeyed the time-dependent behavior of the density matrix equations. Considering the situation of playing the two or multi-mode optical pumping and the FIR laser field were same polarized. The gain coefficient and the output FIR power of the system could be calculated by using the iteration method. It had been predicted that the two or multiple longitudinal mode optically pumped NH₃ FIR laser could have a greater output power or higher lasing efficiency than single mode pumped FIR laser under suitable selected operating parameters of laser.     

Revision on the calculation of optically pumped FIR laser spectrum with Doppler broadening and pressure broadening effects

By means of iteration method and also taking into account Doppler broadening and pressure braodening effect of IR pumping laser, the output power density of optically pumped NH₃ molecules FIR laser is calculated by solving density matrix equations of three-level system. The results of theoretical calculation shows that, in comparison with the FIR laser under the assumption of ideal monochromatic IR pumping, the output power density of FIR laser in the case of Doppler broadening and pressure broadening IR pumping decreases much more. Meanwhile, via the revision of Doppler broadening and pressure broadening effect, the theoretical value of optimum operating gas pressure reduces, which is in better agreement with the experimental value. Further study shows that the revision of Doppler broadening effect is more fit for the conventional FIR laser with a 2m sample tuble and the revision of pressure broadening effect is much more suitable for the miniature FIR laser with a short sample tube of 5 to 20cm in length.     

Theoretical Study on the Gain and Tuning Characteristics of Miniature Optically Pumped NH3 Submillimeter Laser

The gain and the tuning characteristics of miniature optically pumped super-radiant NH₃ submillimeter-wave gas laser have been studied theoretically based on the quantum density matrix equations. The density matrix equations of three-level quantum system have been solved, and the gain and the output density versus different frequency detuning of submillimeter laser and infrared pumping laser have been calculated respectively by means of iteration method. The characteristic curves corresponding to ideal monochromatic IR pumping model and broadened IR pumping model have been obtained. Meanwhile, the tuning and the nonlinear properties of the system have been revealed.     

Spectra of optically pumped superradiant and cavity NH3 far-infrared laser

Based on the density matrix theory of quantum system, the spectra of optically pumped superradiant and cavity NH₃ far-infrared (FIR) lasers were calculated by means of iteration method. The calculation showed that, compared with the optically pumped superradiant FIR laser, the cavity laser had a wider band spectrum of FIR emission and a higher output power under certain condition, moreover, the spectra of cavity laser had multi longitudinal-mode structure.     

The Optimum Coupling Coefficient of Optically Pumped NH3 Far-Infrared Cavity Laser

Based on the semiclassical density matrix theory, the optimum output power reflection coefficient (coupling coefficient) of output coupler for optically pumped NH₃ far-infrared (FIR) cavity laser was calculated by means of iteration method. Experimentally, FIR Fabry-Perot cavity laser was designed and constructed by using inductive metallic meshes as couplers, and the measurement showed that the theoretical calculation were in agreement with experimental results.     

Laser induced line narrowing and saturation broadening effects in OPFIRL

The variation of the laser linewidth within an optically pumped NH3 FIR laser has been studied theoretically on the basis of three-level quantum system approach. It has been shown that the activated medium within the sample tube of an optically pumped ASE FIR laser can be divided into three regions: A). Laser induced line narrowing region, in which the FIR laser linewidth is less than Lorentz linewidth; B). Saturation broadening region, in which the power density of the FIR. signal becomes large enough to make saturation effect important and the linewidth broadens; C), Self-absorption narrowing region, in which the pumping energy density is below the threshold, so self-absorption dominates and the linewidth decreases. The necessary linewidth of the OPFIRL can be obtained by appropriate selection of the length of the sample tube.     

小型光泵远红外激光的放大过程

利用三能级系统的密度矩阵方程，通过迭代法计算了小型光泵ＮＨ３分子远红外激光器（ｍｉ－ｎｉ－ＮＨ３－ＯＰＦＩＲＬ）的介质增益Ｇｓ沿激光管的变化规律以及远红外信号光强Ｉｓ沿激光管的放大过程。计算表明激光管有激活区和饱和区，对一定管长的ｍｉｎｉ－ＮＨ３－ＯＰＦＩＲＬ，在一定范围内工作气压的提高，主要使Ｇｓ的峰值增大，同时使激活区缩短，考虑散射损耗和自吸收效应后，Ｇｓ峰值的提高对总的输出光强贡献不大。而泵浦光强Ｉｐ０的增大，有利于激光管内的介质沿光轴方向均匀激活，从而提高总的输出光强。另外，信号频偏对ｍｉｎｉ－ＮＨ３－ＯＰＦＩＲＬ的激光放大过程有较大的影响     

Theoretical Study of Optimum Operation of Two-Longitudinal-Mode Optically Pumped Miniature FIR Laser

Based on the semi-classical density matrix equation, the optimum operation of two-longitudinal-mode optically pumped miniature FIR laser was studied theoretically. The relations and the contributions to FIR laser output power of the laser structural parameters and operating parameters were calculated and discussed.     

缓冲气体对光泵远红外激光器能量交换的影响

基于分子振动弛豫的理论,完善了缓冲气体的作用模型。利用半经典密度矩阵理论与量子力学理论,研究了缓冲气体对光泵远红外激光(FIR)激光过程的作用机理,计算了缓冲气体作用下小型光泵FIR激光器的能量交换过程以及气压等工作参数对输出光强的影响,得出了优化规律,并进行了实验验证。结果表明,适当的缓冲气体可缩短工作气体分子的振动弛豫时间,提高光泵FIR激光器的能量转换效率,使FIR激光信号得到更大的输出。在最佳混合气体比例与最佳工作气体下,可以获得最大的FIR激光信号输出。     

Operating parameter optimization of optically pumped CH3OH far-infrared laser

By solving the density matrix equations of a quantum system, the output power intensity of an optically pumped CH₃OH FIR laser (CH₃OH-OPFIRL) was calculated by means of iteration method, and the spectral characteristics were got. Base on the calculation, optimization of operating parameters including operating gas pressure, pumped power and output coupling coefficient of the CH₃OH cavity laser were systematically studied. Experimental, a series of FIR emissions of the CH₃OH cavity laser pumped by TEA-CO₂ laser with 9P(16) line were measured. The experimental results were in good agreement with theoretical calculations.     

Theoretical Study of Optically Pumped NH3 Far-Infrared Laser in Vibrational Ground State

In this paper, the density matrix equation of three-level system for far-infrared (FIR) Raman transition in vibrational ground state was solved. By means of iteration method and numerical calculation, the spectral characteristics of NH₃ molecules FIR laser with TEA CO₂-10R(14) laser pumping was studied theoretically. The theoretical result would help us to understand the physical mechanism of optically pumped molecular gases FIR laser with ground-state reversal transition.     

A new stabilization system for optically pumped cw far infrared lasers

A new type of stabilization system for optically pumped far infrared (FIR) lasers based on a dual modulation technique is described, which enables to control the laser output power both as a function of the CO₂-laser pumping frequency and the FIR laser cavity length. The system greatly improves the laser output stability and causes only a negligible modulation (<1 %) of the output power. An additional feature, an electronic search circuit for emission lines, simplifies working at the laser even by ineperienced people.     

Study of the saturation effect and output power of optically pumped FIR laser

In this paper, the density matrix equation of a six-level system has been solved, in case of the FIR wave signals in the system were not small enough to be neglected. The output power density of the laser system has been calculated by means of the iteration method. The saturation effect of the system has been revenled by the numerical calculation. Several sets of curves of laser output power vs, the length of laser with defferent pumping detuning and the optimum operating pressure under certain condition have been obtained. These calculated values were in good agresment with the data provided in the literatures.     

The optically pumped far-infrared laser: Rate equations and diagnostic experiments

A four-level rate-equation model for an optically pumped far-infrared (FIR) laser is presented, and an expression is derived for the output power as a function of pump power and gas pressure. The theory is compared with measurements on the 570.5-μm line of CH3OH, pumped by a CO2laser. The width of the gain curve is measured and is shown to go below the Doppler width of the laser transition at low pressure. This indicates that the use of a monochromatic pump source leads to a velocity selective pumping process.     

Study on spectral characteristics and operating parameters ofoptically pumped NH3 FIR cavity laser

By solving the density matrix equations of a quantum system and taking into account the multibeam interference characteristics of a Fabry-Perot cavity, the output power density of an optically pumped NH ₃ far-infrared (FIR) cavity laser was calculated by means of the iteration method. Based on the calculations, the spectral characteristics and operating parameters of the laser were studied. Experimentally, by using inductive metallic meshes as reflectors and couplers, a series of FIR cavity lasers with a sample tube of 10, 20, and 100 cm in length were designed and constructed, and the emissions of the NH₃ cavity lasers pumped by a TEA-CO₂ laser with a 10R(8) or 9R(16) line were measured. The experimental results were in good agreement with theoretical calculations     

A Revisory Mathematical Model on Optically Pumped Far-Infrared Laser

In an optically pumped far-infrared laser (OPFIRL) system, the infrared (IR) pumping laser with collision broadening which was closer to the practice was considered. A more precise mathematical model was set up. When the IR pumping laser line had the Lorentz function structure, by solving the semi-classic density matrix equations, the generalized form of FIR signal gain Gs and IR pumping signal absorption coefficient Gp were obtained.     

Characteristics of a far-infrared molecular laser optically pumped by a high-power CO2 laser

A molecular far-infrared (FIR) laser optically pumped by a high-power CO₂ laser, which is a powerful source for testing detectors and mixers and for FIR spectroscopy, is constructed and the performance is examined through experiments. At frequencies between 580GHz and 4.25THz, FIR output power is more than 20～30m W by pumping power of 35～81W. Amplitude stability of ±3% is obtained at 100m W output at 2.52THz for over 30 minutes when the FIR tube is cooled at 5°C by a chiller. As an application to testing mixers, FIR laser lines up to 4.25 THz are detected by Schottky barrier diodes (SBD). Further, using a SBD, performance of absolute frequency stability at 693GHz of HCOOH oscillation is measured by harmonic mixing with a 115.5GHz millimeter wave from a phase-locked Gunn oscillator. The resultant center-frequency stability is 100kHz per 10 minutes.     

Spectral Characteristics Comparison of Pulsed Optically Pumped NH3 and CH3OH Far-Infrared Laser

By solving the density matrix equations of a quantum system, the output power intensity of pulsed optically pumped NH3 and CH3OH far-infrared laser (OPFIRL) was calculated respectively by means of iteration method. Based on the calculations, the spectral characteristics of pulsed NH3-OPFIRL and CH3OH-OPFIRL were studied and compared theoretically. The differences of spectral characteristics between the NH3-OPFIRL and CH3OH-OPFIRL were found. Experimentally, a series of FIR emissions of NH3 and CH3OH cavity lasers pumped by TEA-CO2 laser were measured, and the experimental results were in agreement with theoretical calculations.     

Theory of tunable FIR laser

Tunable properties of optically pumped FIR lasers have been studied on the basis of sixlevel quantum system approach. The signal flow graph method was used to solve the density matrix equations. A set of tuning characteristic curves has been obtained in good agreement with the experimental results for optically pumped HF FIR lasers given by A. de Martino et al.