title: Doppler-induced unidirectional operation of a continuous-wave Raman ring laser in H2.
abstract: We demonstrate stable operation of a diode-pumped cw Raman ring laser in diatomic hydrogen gas. Doppler-induced asymmetry between the the forward and the backward Raman gains leads to inherent unidirectional operation in the forward direction without intracavity optical elements. Use of the ring-cavity geometry dilutes the deleterious effects of thermal lensing and significantly reduces optical feedback to the pump laser.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA. roos@jilaul.colorado.edu
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Lei S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Carlsten