Continuous-wave solid-state two-Stokes Raman laser

We report an experimental study of the first cw solid-state Raman laser operating simultaneously at the frequencies of the first and second Stokes components. Simultaneous generation is ensured by a cavity with an enhanced finesse at both Stokes frequencies. The threshold pump powers for the first (3.4 W) and second (3.67 W) Stokes components suggest that the second Stokes generation follows a cascade mechanism. We demonstrate for the first time Raman conversion with intensity stability exceeding the pump radiation stability and show that this approach may find application in Raman spectroscopy.