Two different measurement methods are described that indicate that the
Raman cross section of O-2(a (1) Delta(g)), sigma(a) = (0.45 +/- 0.02
) sigma(X), where sigma(X) is the Raman cross section of O-2(X (3) Sig
ma(g)(-)). Spontaneous Raman scattering is a potentially useful techni
que for measuring the singlet O-2 yield in high-power oxygen iodine la
sers. full potential of this method to be realized, one must determine
sigma(O2(a)) to measure the yield directly. (C) 1997 Optical Society
of America.