Continuous-wave Raman laser in H_2

Recent developments in high-finesse cavities now make broadly tunable, continuous-wave Raman lasers possible. The design and preliminary characterization of what is to the authors' knowledge the first continuous-wave Raman laser in H(2) are presented. The threshold is currently at 2 mW of pump, making diode laser pumping possible. The maximum photon conversion efficiency observed was 35% at 7.6 mW of pump power.