Exploiting vibrational strong coupling to make an optical parametric oscillator out of a Raman laser

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates how vibrational strong coupling combined with stimulated Raman scattering can enhance Raman laser devices, enabling lower lasing thresholds, optical parametric oscillation, and all-optical switching in the mid-infrared.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to utilize vibrational strong coupling with Raman scattering to improve and extend Raman laser functionalities.

Findings

Lasing threshold can be significantly reduced.

System can be transformed into an optical parametric oscillator.

Enables creation of an all-optical mid-infrared switch.

Abstract

When the collective coupling of the rovibrational states in organic molecules and confined electromagnetic modes is sufficiently strong, the system enters into vibrational strong coupling, leading to the formation of hybrid light-matter quasiparticles. In this work we demonstrate theoretically how this hybridization in combination with stimulated Raman scattering can be utilized to widen the capabilities of Raman laser devices. We explore the conditions under which the lasing threshold can be diminished and the system can be transformed into an optical parametric oscillator. Finally, we show how the dramatic reduction of the many final molecular states into two collective excitations can be used to create an all-optical switch with output in the mid-infrared.