Abstract

Previous studies^1–4 of the bandwidth dependence of SBS characteristics have used pump sources containing mode structure. The bandwidth was either adjusted by varying the number of cavity modes (which would effectively change the temporal characteristics of the pump each time the bandwidth was adjusted), or by simply running the laser in either a narrow band or a broadband (highly multi-longitudinal mode) configuration. This paper describes the investigation of the bandwidth dependent characteristics of SBS in N–hexane and C₂F₆ using a continuously variable bandwidth modeless dye laser with a very high quality beam. The absence of cavity mode structure allowed the evolution of temporally smooth pulse shapes without effects such as mode beating occurring at narrow bandwidths. This type of source also prevented the possibility of the mode spacing inadvertently matching the characteristic frequencies of the Stokes shift in the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) phase conjugate mirror.

© 1994 Optical Society of America