Pulse-periodic operation of an optically pumped CF4 laser with an average output power of 0.2 W

Stimulated emission of λ = 16 μ radiation was obtained as a result of optical pumping of CF₄ molecules with radiation from a pulse-periodic CO₂ laser. A study was made of the dependences of the output energy on the pump energy, gas pressure, and repetition frequency of the pump pulses. The stimulated emission was observed at pulse repetition frequencies up to 100 Hz. The average output power was up to 0.2 W from a static CF₄ gas. Possibilities of increasing this average power are considered.