Investigation of parameters controlling stimulated Raman scattering in InSb around 5 μm

Raman-laser light with a peak power of 2 W and continously tunable with magnetic field from 5.24 to 5.62 µm has been obtained using a Q-sqitched CO₂ laser as a primary source, the frequency being first doubled by phase matched second harmonic generation in tellurium and then shifted by the stimulated spin-flip process in InSb. The dependence of the output on input power, magnetic field, sample temperature and input focussing parameters has been investigated and theoretically interpreted. The Raman laser has been used to obtain high-resolution absorption spectra of atmospheric water vapour, over a range of ˜ 20 resolvable lines. © 1971.