Raman shifting the ArF UV laser

Stimulated Raman scattering of ArF excimer laser light is proposed as a means of laser line shifting to wavelengths throughout the entire UV range. An experimental laser apparatus employing a pressure or dewar cell containing H2, D2 or liquid N2 as the Raman medium, single pass stimulated Raman scattering and an unstable resonator laser cavity is presented, and the major spectral lines generated using each medium and a mixture of the gases are illustrated. Reasonably strong lines (peak powers in the kW to MW range) have been detected in the range between 150 and 400 nm, and each line is tunable over about 100 reciprocal cm, resulting in almost complete coverage of the UV band. Applications of the laser system in isotope separation and photochemistry are indicated.