Polarized Stimulated Raman Scattering and Four-Wave Coupling in Potassium

Abstract

Stimulated Raman scattering of linearly polarized light from degenerate and selectively populated atomic sublevels of potassium have been observed. The scattered radiation has a polarization perpendicular to that of the incident beam. Such transition can take place between substates of different or of the same atomic level. In the latter case, the frequencies of the incident and scattered beams are equal and the polarizations are perpendicular. The induced transitions are associated with parametric four-wave coupling possessing also characteristic polarization properties.