Knowledge Bank

A new short-wavelength far-infrared $lasera$ is used to generate optically pumped far-infrared laser radiation in the wavelength range 30 to $150\mu m$ in methanol. The large-amplitude torsional motion in methanol accounts for its rich far-infrared spectra. Its infrared absorption bands overlap well with the $CO2$ laser providing for the generation of strong high-frequency laser lines in the far-infrared. Methanol is an excellent short wavelength laser medium and about 40% of its lines have wavelengths shorter than $150\mu m$. We have already obtained a four-fold increase in the number of laser lines in the $50\mu m$ region, and are now pushing to increase the density of laser lines with . A list of the strong laser lines observed in methanol, in the range 30 to $150\mu m$, will be presented in this work.