Use of seeded Nd:YAG lasers for high-resolution spectroscopy

The frequency tuning and stabilization of a novel long-pulse seeded Nd:YAG laser is described. The laser frequency was stabilized to +/-8 MHz by locking it to an iodine absorption. A Doppler-free experiment shows the laser linewidth to be in good agreement with the Fourier transform limit of 10 MHz. Molecular hyperfine frequencies and parameters were determined for three I(2) absorption lines. The use of this laser as a pump and a cw probe amplifier for coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy is illustrated by a scan of the 2v(2)Q-branch transition in CO(2), and the instrumental resolution is found to be 43 +/- 15 MHz.