Optical pumping of CHD/sub 2/OH and CH/sub 2/DOH methanol isotopomers by means of a new pulsed CO/sub 2/ laser: characterization of new far-infrared laser emissions

We have reinvestigated CHD/sub 2/OH and CH/sub 2/DOH methanol isotopomers as sources of far-infrared laser radiation using the optical pumping technique. A new waveguide pulsed CO/sub 2/ laser was used, that delivers high peak powers also in the 10-HP CO/sub 2/ band and has allowed us to observe 19 new far-infrared emissions from CHD/sub 2/OH and 8 new far-infrared emissions from CH/sub 2/DOH. Each of them is characterized in wavelength, pump offset from the center of the exciting CO/sub 2/ line, relative polarization, optimum operating pressure and intensity.