Pulsed KGd(WO4)2 Raman laser: towards emission linewidth narrowing

Abstract

The linewidth of a KGd(WO4)2 pulsed Raman laser is analysed experimentally for different configurations of the Raman and pump resonators: with narrow and broadband pump emission profiles, with and without linewidth narrowing elements in the Raman laser resonator, with and without injection seeding into the Raman cavity. The benefits of a narrow linewidth pump source in combination with linewidth narrowing elements in the Raman laser cavity for the efficient linewidth narrowing of the Raman emission are explained. 20 kW peak-power pulses at 1156 nm with 0,43 cm-1 emission linewidth are demonstrated from an injection seeded KGW Raman laser.