Measurements of the single-shot power spectrum of stimulated Raman scattering from an ${\mathrm{H}}_2$ Raman generator at 10 and 32 atm using a Fabry-Perot interferometer are presented. The results show that the single-shot linewidth can be much narrower than the ensemble average predicted by quantum mechanics. However, when the spectra of numerous shots are averaged together the resulting linewidth is in close agreement with the predicted result. In addition, the power spectrum exhibits large shot-to-shot fluctuations within the gain-narrowed profile which may be related to observed soliton decay in stimulated Raman scattering.

• Received 10 March 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.61.66