title: SRS in the strong-focusing regime for Raman amplifiers.
abstract: The theoretical analysis of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in crystalline amplifiers with a tightly-focused pump geometry is presented. We predict the minimum Stokes seed power required for an efficient Raman power amplifier and verify this result experimentally. Conversion of a pump to a Stokes beam in a single-pass diamond amplifier is demonstrated using nanosecond pulses with gains of 5.8 from a 1.2-kW peak-power Stokes seed beam. The results demonstrate the possibility of amplifying and combining high-power continuous-wave lasers using current diamond Raman laser technology.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mildren
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Coutts
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Spence