Laser spectroscopy, submillimeter lasing, and passive Q switching when dimethyl ether is pumped with CO2 laser radiation

A study was made of the absorption and optoacoustic spectrum of dimethyl ether for line radiation from a low-pressure CO₂ laser. By pumping transitions having absorption coefficients of 10^–2–10^–3 cm^–1·Torr^–1, twenty submillimeter laser emission lines were obtained in the wavelength range 209–934 μ and passive Q switching of the CO₂ laser was achieved for 18 lines. An analysis of the experimental data revealed splitting of the investigated infrared and submillimeter transitions.