Stimulated Raman scattering and nonlinear focusing of high-power laser beams propagating in water

The physical processes associated with propagation of a high-power (power > critical power for self-focusing) laser beam in water include nonlinear focusing, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), optical breakdown, and plasma formation. The interplay between nonlinear focusing and SRS is analyzed fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics letters 2015-04, Vol.40 (7), p.1556-1558
Main Authors: Hafizi, B, Palastro, J P, Peñano, J R, Gordon, D F, Jones, T G, Helle, M H, Kaganovich, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fluid flow
Focusing
Laser beams
Mathematical analysis
Nonlinearity
Pumps
Raman scattering
Wave propagation
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Summary:The physical processes associated with propagation of a high-power (power > critical power for self-focusing) laser beam in water include nonlinear focusing, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), optical breakdown, and plasma formation. The interplay between nonlinear focusing and SRS is analyzed for cases where a significant portion of the pump power is channeled into the Stokes wave. Propagation simulations and an analytical model demonstrate that the Stokes wave can re-focus the pump wave after the power in the latter falls below the critical power. It is shown that this novel focusing mechanism is distinct from cross-phase focusing. The phenomenon of gain-focusing discussed here for propagation in water is expected to be of general occurrence applicable to any medium supporting nonlinear focusing and stimulated Raman scattering.
ISSN:0146-9592
1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/OL.40.001556