Stark effect in optically pumped molecular submillimeter lasers

A theoretical analysis is made of the effects which take place in optically pumped lasers whose active medium is subjected to a dc electric Geld. The possibilities are discussed of tuning the frequency and modulating the intensity of the radiation emitted by a laser. The gain characteristics of an active medium in an electric field are calculated for a $CH_3F$ laser operating on a wavelength of 496 $\mu m$. It is shown that the frequency tuning limits of the output radiation of such a laser can reach 3 GHz, if the active medium allows electric fields of up to 30 kV/cm to be applied.