Tunable infrared laser generated via stimulated Raman scattering in Cs vapor

The conversion of a visible dye laser output into tunable infrared (IR) laser radiation via stimulated Raman scattering in Cs vapor was investigated. Small-signal gain, threshold intensity, and conversion efficiency measurements were obtained versus pump laser detuning. Fixed-frequency IR outputs at other wavelengths were also observed. One of these, the
7P_{3/2}-5D_{5/2}
transition, had a strong lasing component polarized perpendicular to the pump laser polarization. Lasing near the 8523-Å resonance line was attributed to a four-wave parametric interaction as a plausible generation mechanism.