Intensity Correlation-Measurements In Stimulated Raman Generation With A Multimode Laser

An experimental and theoretical study of the temporal correlations between the intensities of a broadband pump laser and Stokes light in stimulated Raman generation has been carried out. Direct measurements have been made of the pump laser and Stokes light intensity autocorrelation functions and of the intensity cross-correlation function between the two. Strong cross correlations are found. Nevertheless, the correlations are not perfect; that is, the Stokes intensity does not follow exactly the intensity variations of the laser. Transient effects and quantum fluctuations are shown, by theoretical modeling, to be responsible for the absence of perfect correlations.