Stimulated emission of radiation from optically pumped vinyl bromide molecules

A report is given of the preliminary results of an experimental investigation of a vinyl bromide molecular maser excited by CO₂ laser radiation. This maser emits continuously at 45 wavelengths in the 2–0.2 mm range. At some of these wavelengths the output power is several milliwatts. Exact measurements (Δf/f < 10^–6) are reported of the emission frequencies of 31 lines. Information is given on CO₂ laser lines used for pumping, optimal gas pressure in the maser cavity, and polarization of submillimeter radiation relative to the polarization of the pump radiation.