Simultaneous Two-Stokes Raman amplification in crystals

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sigurd Schrader
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316920908

The main goal of the project is the realization and investigation of simultaneous Raman amplification in crystals of the 1st and 2nd Stokes waves with low value of beam propagation factor. This Two-Stokes Raman amplification will result in energy conversion from pump radiation into low divergent 2nd Stokes radiation in a single Raman amplifier. The amplified 2nd Stokes radiation will have high pulse energy and low value of beam propagation factor, what is important for many applications. For instance, such 2nd Stokes radiation obtained in a barium nitrate crystal can be efficiently frequency doubled to produce UV radiation with a wavelength of about 300 nm. This wavelength can be used in differential absorption LIDAR for measurement of ozone distribution as an on-line radiation for stratospheric ozone and as an off-line radiation for tropospheric ozone.The project includes both theoretical and experimental investigations of Two-Stokes Raman amplification in barium nitrate and potassium gadolinium tungstate crystals. The operating parameters of the developed Two-Stokes Raman amplifier will be compared to conventional schemes, where the 1st Stokes high energy radiation is first generated in a Raman laser or using a Raman generator-amplifier and then is used for pumping of the 2nd Stokes Raman amplification.The results will be employed to design a new class of compact, high-energy solid state laser Raman-amplifier with various applications in laser technology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants