Sub-Doppler Raman saturation spectroscopy

Sub-Doppler linewidth spectra of the Q(01) (2) transition in deuterium (D(2)) have been obtained by using a stimulated Raman technique analogous to sub-Doppler IR saturation spectroscopy. Two experimental configurations are described that employ alternatively either three or four laser beams at two frequencies. The saturation dip is detected by using an inverse Raman technique to probe the saturated line shape. It is shown that, by delaying the pulsed measurement from the pulsed saturation, the technique can be used to study velocity relaxation processes in homonuclear diatomics or other Raman-active molecules.