Development of the CN-Solid State Vibrational Laser
Abstract
The discoveries of the solid state CN- vibrational laser of the efficient generation at subharmonics of the pump frequency by overtone IR pumping and of population inversion in the vibrational manifold produced by nonresonant pumping in the UV were all made under this grant. The unexpected findings indicate that the vibrational dynamics of molecules in solids is more subtle than previously expected. Our IR pumping experiments have demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of solid state mid infrared lasers based on purely vibrational transitions of molecular purities embedded in a host matrice. In the first experiments pulsed oscillation at 2054/ cm was obtained on the 2-> 1 transition of CN- ions in potassium bromide host following pulsed optical pumping of the CN- lower laser level. Subsequent research then focused on the response of directly pumping the upper vibrational laser level by means of a color center laser tuned to the weakly allowed first overtone transition. Continuous wave lasing; Vibrational transition; Population inversion; Optical pumping; Overtone; Tunable; Color center laser; Energy budget; Solid state vibrational laser; Color center; Fluorescence; Vibrational energy exchange; Energy transfer; Inhomogenous; Manley Rowe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 17, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA205014
Entities
People
- A. J. Sievers
- C. R. Pollock
Organizations
- Cornell Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics