Abstract

The rotational Raman gain in N₂ is evaluated, taking into account the Stokes-antiStokes coupling¹ for linearly polarized light and the dispersion of the refractive index of the air. A significant reduction of the gain coefficient near the phase matching angle increases the threshold intensities for peak powers of less than 10 GW. The maximum laser power for atmospheric propagation in steady state, and the maximum fluence for a transient Raman gain are evaluated for diffraction limited beam propagation achieved by phase compensation for turbulence.

© 1990 Optical Society of America