Backward stimulated Raman scattering on the Q12(1) transition in vibrationally excited hydrogen molecules

The results are reported of an experimental investigation of the backward stimulated Raman scattering on the vibrational transitions Q₀₁(1) and Q₁₂(1) in hydrogen molecules subjected to nonmonochromatic laser pumping. The experiments were carried out in a wide range of gas pressures at pump powers corresponding to an exponential enhancement of the intensities of the Stokes components. Under the conditions of tight focusing of the pump radiation and in the absence of feedback the backward scattering on the Q₁₂(1) transition was accompanied by complete suppression of the forward (concurrent) scattering.