title: Solid hydrogen Raman shifter for the mid-infrared range (4.4-8 microm).
abstract: We developed a pulsed, continuously tunable laboratory laser source for the mid-infrared spectral range of 4.4-8 microm, which is characterized by the spectral linewidth of 0.4 cm(-1). The device is based on the stimulated backward Raman scattering in solid para-hydrogen at T = 4 K. It is pumped by a focused beam obtained from a commercial near-infrared optical parametric oscillator with output energy of approximately 20 mJ (7-ns pulse). Output energies range from 1.7 mJ at 4.4 microm to 120 microJ at 8 microm, which correspond to quantum efficiencies of 0.53 and 0.08, respectively. Spectra of NO, H2O, and CH4 molecules in the mid-infrared were recorded. The operation of the Raman cell pumped with 532-nm radiation was also studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Kirill E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kuyanov
authors.forename: Takamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Momose
authors.forename: Andrey F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Vilesov