7.4 - Design considerations for Raman lasers

Abstract

The Raman laser is potentially a device capable of converting laser output of poor spatial quality into a nearly diffraction-limited beam with high efficiency. A number of factors must be considered in the design of a Raman laser. To avoid beam trapping, gases are preferable as Raman media at high-power levels. For optimal mode control, an oscillator-amplifier combination is the most flexible configuration. Considerations of oscillator and amplifier design are reviewed. The backward-traveling Raman amplifier is considered as a means of obtaining very high powers in short pulses, and its ultimate limitations are briefly discussed.