Abstract

We have used a dual nonlinear frequency shifting scheme to convert the red (766 nm) output of a high brightness diode injection seeded alexandrite laser system into the blue spectral region.(l) Several second harmonic generating (SHG) crystals were investigated to determine the most reliable conversion scheme for high power operation. The Raman shifting process in hydrogen utilized a Backward Stimulated Raman scattering oscillator whose output was subsequently amplified in a single pass Raman amplifier cell. This laser system was able to provide up to 180 mJ/pulse at 10 Hz with a 1 pm bandwidth at the Cs 455 nm atomic resonance line.

© 1992 Optical Society of America