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Difference Frequency Generation due to Multiple Photon Process in a Resonant Quantum System during the Laser Action

Abstract

WE report here the first observation of difference frequency generation by the resonant three-photon process for the optical mixing in a laser medium with the simultaneous stimulated emission of two optical transitions. A ruby rod acts as the active medium for the laser oscillation of the R1 doublet as well as the dielectric microwave cavity for the difference frequency. We have observed the resonant microwave emission associated with the magnetic dipole transition between the ±1/2(4A2) and ±3/2(4A2) levels—or the zero-field splitting of the 4A2 ground state of the Cr3+ ion in a ruby crystal (Fig. 1).

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INABA, H., HIDAKA, T. Difference Frequency Generation due to Multiple Photon Process in a Resonant Quantum System during the Laser Action. Nature 224, 57–59 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/224057a0

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