The CW-496 µm methylfluoride laser: Review and theoretical predictions

A rate equation model for an optically pumped submillimeter gas laser by J. R. Tucker has been extended to account for the pump radiation traveling in both directions in the laser tube. Calculations have been carried out for the (v3= 1 → 1, K = 2 → 2, J = 12 → 11) transition in methylfluoride. Results on the small-signal gain, the saturated gain, the pump absorption, and the output power are presented for a number of waveguide diameters with variable pump frequency and pump power. Previous experimental and theoretical work is compared with the theoretical predictions.