Optically pumped submillimetre laser based on ethylene oxide (C2D4O) molecules

Lasing of ethylene oxide (C₂D₄O) molecules was achieved for the first time by optical pumping. This resulted in the emission of 26 submillimetre lines in the 244 — 1063 μm range. The submillimetre laser was pumped by a cw CO₂ laser of up to 20 W power. The results are given in the form of data on the pump lines, the corresponding submillimetre emission wavelengths, their output intensities, and their polarisation relative to the pump-radiation polarisation.