Raman amplification

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Raman amplification (pronounced /rʌmɑn/) is based on the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) phenomenon, when a lower frequency 'signal' photon induces the inelastic scattering of a higher-frequency 'pump' photon in a nonlinear optical medium. As a result of this, another 'signal' photon is produced, with the surplus energy resonantly passed to the vibrational states of the nonlinear medium. This process, as with other stimulated emission processes, allows all-optical amplification. Optical fiber is almostly exclusively used as the nonlinear medium for SRS, which is therefore characterized by a resonant frequency downshift of ~13 THz. The SRS amplification process can be readily cascaded, thus accessing essentially any wavelength in the fiber low-loss guiding window. In addition to applications in nonlinear and ultrafast optics, Raman amplification is used in optical telecommunications, allowing all-band wavelength coverage and in-line distributed signal amplification.

Intel has produced a raman laser using silicon as the medium

http://intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20050217tech.htm

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