Theory of cascade tripler of optical frequency with high conversion efficiency

The regimes of high conversion efficiency of cascade triplers of optical radiation are theoretically investigated. A conversion efficiency of 100% for plane waves can be reached. Analytical expressions for the wave amplitudes in this case are given. The conversion efficiencies for a laser beam with Gaussian distribution of the amplitude in space and time are numerically computed. The maximum efficiency for such a beam is about 50%. Some experimental situations are discussed.