Backward stimulated Raman scattering in water and water solutions

12 Energetical and spectral characteristics of backward stimulated Raman scattering (BSRS) in water and water solutions of organic liquids (acetone, benzene, ethanol, cyclohexane) at different excitation conditions have been experimentally investigated. Maximum conversion efficiency of laser light into BSRS wave was about 40%. For picosecond range experimental results and calculations are presented showing the BSRS intensity as a function of the main experimental parameters concerning the geometry of excitation and the exciting intensity. Thus it's possible to forecast the best experimental set-up in term of BSRS efficiencies and to estimate the minimum length of water necessary to detect BSRS. Competition with other scatterings is observed. In nanosecond range simultaneously with BSRS stimulated Brillouin scattering has been excited. Possible applications are discussed.