Abstract

The propagation of a nearly resonant strong laser in Na vapor results in a number of non-linear optical processes such as parametric four-wave mixing (FWM), three-photon scattering (TPS), and Raman scattering.¹ The Raman and TPS processes involve the emission of radiation at specific and unique frequencies determined by the detuning of the laser from the atomic resonance, δ, and the Rabi frequency, Ω. Parametric FWM, however, need only satisfy the condition that 2ω_L = ω₃+ ω₄, and can occur over a broad range of frequencies. The frequency range is restricted only by the available gain for the FWM process. The gain depends strongly on the possibility of phase matching at the given frequencies involved in the interaction, as well as on nearly all of the experimental parameters such as relaxation rates (collisional and otherwise), Rabi frequencies, laser detuning, the length of the Na interaction region and the Na vapor pressure.

© 1988 Optical Society of America