Submillimeter laser and Fabry-Perot spectroscopy using metallic mesh

An optically pumped submillimeter laser was constructed and investigated. Optical pumping with C-12O2-16 and isotopic C-13O2-16 were demonstrated. Using the isotopic (C-13)O2 laser 17 new submillimeter emissions were reported between 78.5 microns and 917 microns. The mode properties, stability, and tuning characteristics of the CO2 laser were discussed. Such measurements were taken with heterodyne techniques. Cooling effects on the isotopic (C-13)O2 laser were described and resulted in increases in both the number of observed lines and output power from the laser. A high power CW CO2 laser was also described and used in the search for new submillimeter emissions. The submillimeter waveguide laser designed gave powers in excess of 1 mW throughout the submillimeter region. The design was flexible to permit a choice of coupling and waveguides of various sizes.