Raman gain measurement in solid parahydrogen

We report a steady-state Raman gain measurement of the Q(1)(0) transition ( v = 1 <-- 0, J = 0 <-- 0) in solid parahydrogen. We carry out measurements by pumping with a continuous-wave frequency-doubled YAG laser at 532 nm and observing the direct amplification of a probe-laser beam for the first Sto kes transition at 683 nm. A large single-pass amplification coefficient of 2.3 +/- 0.2 is obtained at a pump intensity of 46 kW/cm(2), with an interac tion length of 1 cm, giving a steady-state Raman gain coefficient of 18 +/- 3 cm/MW. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America. OCIS codes: 290.3700, 290.59 10, 190.2640, 190.5650, 190.5890.