Abstract

Fully resonant cw difference-frequency mixing processes ω₄ = ω₁ — ω₂ + ω₃ in diatomic molecules are investigated. In case of Na₂ rotational-vibrational levels of the X. A and B electronic states are involved. In the shown up-conversion cycle, the pump field λ₁ =655 nm from a single frequency cw-dye laser is used to operate a cw-Raman laser at λ₂=756 nm. These two fields and the additional field at λ₃=532 nm from a frequency-doubled diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser generate the fourth field at λ₄=480 nm. The Raman pair (λ₁,λ₂) realizes a coherent coupling of the levels 1 and 2 which supports the generation process by reducing the absorption on the 1-4 transition. which is more then 99% without the pump fields.

© 1998 IEEE