MID INFRARED OPTICALLY PUMPED MOLECULAR GAS LASERS.

The considerable progress in optically pumped molecular lasers over the last eight years has proved their potential as an efficient source of high power pulsed MIR radiation. They are by far the most convenient laser source in this wavelength region providing simple and low cost systems especially attractive as wavelength converters for use with CO//2 TEA lasers. Recently improved frequency control of this pump source has already lead to further dramatic improvement in performance and spectral coverage of these systems. With the recent achievement of efficient high power c. w. operation of NH//3 future prospects for extending the spectral range of c. w systems using other molecules is very promising and will undoubtedly lead to a rapid progress in this area.