Continuous-wave solid-state Raman lasers generating at first and second Stokes wavelengths

In this report we present the latest data on the development of continuous-wave solid-state Raman lasers and their first application. Data on experimental investigations of Raman conversion in the separate Raman laser (Raman medium is placed between mirrors) are compared with the results on intracavity Raman conversion (Raman medium is placed in the laser cavity). For the first Stokes generation the single resonant cavity was used in Raman laser. At that the process of Raman conversion in barium nitrate crystal was not accompanied by pump power accumulation. In this case the first Stokes generation was characterized by the output power of 160 mW and the conversion efficiency of 5%. Results of first application of continuous-wave Raman lasers in spontaneous Raman spectroscopic experiments are given demonstrating the long term stability of this laser sources and adaptability to spectroscopy.