Tunable far infrared methyl fluoride laser using transverse optical pumping

Some severe limitations of optically pumped superradiant FIR lasers (700-MHz linewidth, ragged pulse shape) may be overcome by using transverse optical pumping (TOP). Strong (∼500 W) lines have been produced in CH3F with linewidth <30 MHz, and cavity tuning has been achieved over a range of 460 MHz at 496 μm. Prospects for extending the tuning range and increasing the power are considered.