GENERATION OF HIGH-REPETITION-RATE FAR-INFRARED LASER-PULSES

We report the generation of pulsed optically pumped far-infrared (FIR) radiation with a repetition rate of 200 kHz. These pulses were obtain ed in a straightforward method by pumping a FIR resonator with a high repetition rate, rf-excited, waveguide CO2 laser. Pulses approximately 50 ns wide were generated both at 432.6 mum in HCOOH, and 117.7 mum i n CH2F2. The pulse width of the FIR radiation was studied as a functio n of the CO2 pulse width, and the relative delay between the two was m easured. Based on this data we conclude that the FIR radiation was gai n switched and of a duration which was a function of either the gain b andwidth of the FIR transition, or more likely the FIR cavity paramete rs.