Spin-flip Raman laser

The properties of the spin-flip Raman laser (SFR laser) which depend on stimulated Raman scattering from mobile conduction electrons in InSb under an external magnetic field are presented. The essential parameters are derived from a macroscopic treatment of the stimulated Raman effect and the microscopic theory of the scattering cross-section, and are compared with experimental results. Output pulse powers as large as 1 kW have been measured for 10.6 and 5.3 μm excitation radiation and continuous powers of 1 W for continuous excitation with a 5.3 μm pump source. The SFR laser offers some interesting applications in physics and chemistry, since its frequency is proportional to the applied magnetic field and its linewidth can be made smaller than 1 kHz.