Calculation and measurement of stimulated rotational Raman scattering in atmospheric oxygen

Summary form only given. It is well known that stimulated rotational Raman scattering (SRRS) in atmospheric nitrogen presents a limitation to the propagation of high-intensity laser radiation through long air paths. A method that has sometimes been proposed to mitigate this problem in laser fusion facilities is to replace part of the air path with a breathable mixture of oxygen and a monatomic gas such as argon. A calculation of the rotational Raman gain in atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at 1053 nm is indicated by the stick spectrum.