A mid- to far-infrared solid state Raman laser system comprising a resonator cavity comprising: an input reflector adapted to be highly transmissive for light with a first wavelength in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 micrometers for admitting the first beam to the resonator cavity; and an output reflector adapted to be partially transmissive for light with a second wave-length greater than about 5.5 micrometers for resonating the second wavelength in the resonator and for outputting an output beam, the input reflector further being adapted to be highly reflective at the second wavelength for resonating the second wave-length in the resonator; and a solid state diamond Raman material located in the resonator cavity for Raman shifting the pump beam and generating the second wavelength.