Axially phase-matched parametric four- and six-wave mixing in potassium vapor

Systematic experimental observations of axially phase-matched parametric four- and sixwave mixing processes have been made in potassium vapor pumped on or near the 4S–6S two-photon resonance. An IR up-conversion with a beta barium borate crystal was used for the detection of IR emissions. All the predicted processes have been observed. It is found that the excitation spectra of the emissions for those processes observed in this work are quite different from the excitation spectra of similar processes in sodium vapor. A dye-dependence of some emissions generated by the axially phase-matched parametric six-wave mixing processes has been found by using different dyes in the dye laser. The reason for the dye-dependence is discussed.