Stimulated Raman scattering at kHz pulse repetition rates

Abstract

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) has been achieved at kHz pulse repetition rates. The Raman oscillator consists of a lithium iodate crystal placed inside a Nd:YAlO3 laser, with feedback provided at the Stokes wavelengths by mirrors surrounding the crystal. First and second Stokes outputs at 1.18 and 1.31 μm, respectively, were generated from oblique longitudinal-optic (LO) phonons in the lithium iodate. These results open the possibility of realizing substantial average output powers from Raman oscillators for the first time.