High Efficiency Pulse Compression by Raman Induced Cavity Dumping

Raman induced cavity dumping has been demonstrated theoretically and experimentally as an efficient technique of pulse compression. Through intracavity stimulated Raman scattering the electromagnetic energy at a primary frequency is down-converted and extracted from a storage cavity containing the Raman medium. Several experimental set-ups have been tested, concerning oscillators and amplifiers, using different pumping techniques. Results differ slightly according to the technique used, but pulse shortenings exceeding 10 and quantum efficiencies larger than 80 per cent were obtained. This method developed in the case of a ruby laser could also be used with large power lasers of any wavelength from the ultraviolet to the far infrared.