Research on the characteristics of H2 Raman conversion pumping by a 1-J XeCl excimer laser

Detailed results are presented of a high-efficiency Raman conversion of a 1-J XeCl excimer laser with an unstable resonator. We had 90% photon conversion of 18-MW-power XeCl laser radiation with 39% photon efficiency to the third Stokes order at 499 nm. The effects of rare-gas concentration in a H2–rare-gas mixture on the Raman conversion characteristics were investigated. Finally, stimulated Raman scattering between the excited states of H2 at high gas pressure was observed, and conditions for generating these lines are discussed.