High Power Optically Pumped Far Infrared Lasers

Intense superradiant laser action in the far infrared (FIR) has been observed in several gases optically pumped with a CO/sub 2/ transversely excited atmospheric-pressure (TEA) laser. A maximum FIR power of 100 kW was observed from CH/sub 3/F at 496 mu m. Characteristics of the system and possibilities of scaling to higher powers are also discussed.