High-repetition-rate amplification of 16 (SIGMA) micron radiation

High repitition rate generation of up to 325 mJ of Raman amplified radiation near 615 cm(+1) was demonstrated in CO2-pumped para-H2 using a low power, microwave shifted CF4 laser as an input Stokes seed source. Experiments were limited to 200 Hz, but single shot Schlieren measurements indicate that our flowing room temperature 44 pass Raman converter should be capable of the design goal of 1 KHz. Strong conversion was achieved even with no flow at 100 Hz. Details of the overall system design, experimental parameters, and present system limitations are discussed.