Abstract

This paper reports extremely efficient operation of an NH₃ laser-pumped by 9.3-μm CO₂ radiation with energy conversion efficiencies of up to 30%, close to the theoretical limit of 36%, and power conversion efficiencies of 40-60%, both values of which are by far the highest reported to date.^1-6 The results of a comprehensive investigation of the NH₃ laser as well as the more general application to other molecular gases of the novel optical pumping scheme used here will be discussed.

© 1981 Optical Society of America