Albedo and gain threshold of a diffusive Raman random laser

The diffuse reflectance (albedo) and transmittance of a Raman random gain medium are derived from a diffusion equation with power dependent gain. The results show good agreement with the experimental data for barium nitrate powder. Both the Raman albedo AR and Raman transmittance TR diverge at a critical gain γc, interpreted as the threshold for diffusive Raman laser generation. The parametric dependence of the albedo and threshold gain on the scattering characteristics of the random medium is analysed and the feedback effect of Fresnel reflection at the gain boundaries evaluated. The addition of external mirrors, particularly at the pumped surface, significantly reduces the generation threshold.