Quasi phase matching in GaAs--AlAs superlattice waveguides through bandgap tuning by use of quantum-well intermixing

We report the observation of second-harmonic generation by type I quasi phase matching in a GaAs-AlAs superlattice waveguide. Quasi phase matching was achieved through modulation of the nonlinear coefficient chi((2))(zxy), which we realized by periodically tuning the superlattice bandgap. Second-harmonic generation was demonstrated for fundamental wavelengths from 1480 to 1520 nm, from the third-order gratings with periods from 10.5 to 12.4microm . The second-harmonic signal spectra demonstrated narrowing owing to the finite bandwidth of the quasi-phase-matching grating. An average power of ~110 nW was obtained for the second harmonic by use of an average launched pump power of ?2.3mW .     

Conical second harmonic generation in a two-dimensional chi(2) photonic crystal: a hexagonally poled LiTaO3 crystal

A new type of conical second-harmonic generation was discovered in a 2D chi((2)) photonic crystal-a hexagonally poled LiTaO3 crystal. It reveals the presence of another type of nonlinear interaction-a scattering involved optical parametric generation in a nonlinear medium. Such a nonlinear interaction can be significantly enlarged in a modulated chi((2)) structure by a quasi-phase-matching process. The conical beam records the spatial distribution of the scattering signal and discloses the structure information and symmetry of the 2D chi((2)) photonic crystal.     

Phase matching in monolithic Bragg reflection waveguides

We report what is believed to be the first observation of second-harmonic generation by type I phase matching the bulk chi(xyz)((2))(d(14)) nonlinear coefficient using Bragg reflection waveguides. Second-harmonic power of 0.7 microW was observed for a pump wavelength of 1587.8 nm with an average power of 25.2 mW and a pulse width of approximately 2 ps at a repetition rate of 75.6 MHz. An order of magnitude enhancement between the phase-matched and un-phase-matched second-harmonic conversion efficiency has been observed. Conversion efficiency at the phase-matched wavelengths was 0.001%. The bandwidth of the second harmonic was found to be equal to 0.43 nm, agreeing with the theoretical predictions.     

Second-harmonic generation in GaAs: experiment versus theoretical predictions of chi(2)xyz

For GaAs we have determined |chi((2))(xyz)(-2omega;omega,omega)| in second-harmonic generation experiments using two-photon energies between 2 and 5 eV. In addition to the E1, E1+delta(1), E'0, and E2 critical-point bulk transitions of GaAs, a surprisingly strong surface transition at 3.35 eV was observed for natively oxidized GaAs(001) samples. A detailed comparison with theoretical predictions reveals that calculations that include many-particle effects at the level of the "scissors" approximation can describe the overall frequency dependence of the second-harmonic susceptibility reasonably well.     

Photoinduced stable second-harmonic generation in chalcogenide glasses

We report on photoinduced second-harmonic generation (SHG) in chalcogenide glasses. Fundamental and second-harmonic waves from a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser were used to induce second-order nonlinearity in chalcogenide glasses. The magnitude of SHG in 20G?20A?60S glass was 10(4) larger than that of tellurite glass with a composition of 15Nb(2)O (5) 85TeO(2) (mol.%). Moreover, no apparent decay of photoinduced SHG in 20G?20A?60S glass was observed after optical poling at room temperature. We suggest that the large and stable value of chi((2)) is due to the induced defect structures and large chi((3)) of the chalcogenide glasses.     

Two-dimensional quasi-phase-matched multiple-cascaded four-wave mixing in periodically poled KTiOPO(4)

A two-dimensional quasi-phase-matched structure is realized in a noncollinear, nondegenerate periodically poled KTiOPO(4) parametric oscillator by utilizing the mutual coherence of two noncollinear pump beams. The mutually coherent pump beams form an interference pattern inside the crystal that is directed perpendicular to the existing quasi-phase-matched grating vector and acts as a parametric gain grating. The cavity itself supports two signal wavelengths around 1550 nm with tunable separation, while the gain grating reduces the operational threshold of the oscillator. Furthermore, with this two-dimensional quasi-phase-matched structure, we can demonstrate the generation of new spectral components through multiple chi((2)):chi((2))-cascaded four-wave mixing processes.     

Third-harmonic generation in quasi-phase-matched chi(2) media with missing second harmonic

What we believe to be a conceptually novel scheme for third-harmonic generation in engineered quasi-phase-matched chi((2)) optical structures is proposed in which the fundamental-frequency field is directly converted into the third-harmonic field without the intermediate generation of the second-harmonic field. This counterintuitive scheme, which exploits the concept of adiabatic passage and the existence of a nonlinear dark state, bears a close connection to the "stimulated Raman adiabatic passage" technique of population transfer in atomic physics.     

Self-sum- and -difference-frequency mixing in GdAl(3)(BO(3))(4):Nd(3+) for generation of tunable ultraviolet and infrared radiation

We exploited Nd(3+) laser emission at 1061.9 nm ((4)F(3/2)?(4)I(11/2) channel) in a self-chi((2)) active GdAl(3)(BO(3))(4):Nd(3+) laser crystal. UV radiation was obtained from a 1.8% yield from self-sum-frequency mixing: 1/pump + 1/1061.9 = 1/UV, during pumping in the Nd(3+) (4)G(5/2)-(2)G(7/2) levels near 588 nm. The UV tunability had a range of 378-382 nm. We have demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, generation of coherent IR radiation from a self-difference-frequency mixing laser: 1/pump - 1/1061.9 = 1/IR. We got a 0.5% yield and tunability in the 1305-1365-nm range.     

101 W of average green beam from diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG/LBO-based system in a relay imaged cavity

A 52-W green laser at 532 nm by extra-cavity second-harmonic generation in a coupled-cavity configuration is demonstrated. The fundamental laser is a diode-side-pumped acousto-optic (AO) Q-switched Nd:YAG rod laser producing 84 W of average power at 1064 nm at 8 kHz repetition rate. Type-II phase-matched polished KTP crystal is used as the nonlinear crystal for second-harmonic generation. The individual green pulse width is 50 ns and the fundamental to second harmonic conversion efficiency is 61.8%.     

Efficient and high-power green beam generation by frequency doubling of acousto-optic Q-switched diode-side pumped Nd:YAG rod laser in a coupled cavity

A 52-W green laser at 532 nm by extra-cavity second-harmonic generation in a coupled-cavity configuration is demonstrated. The fundamental laser is a diode-side-pumped acousto-optic (AO) Q-switched Nd:YAG rod laser producing 84 W of average power at 1064 nm at 8 kHz repetition rate. Type-II phase-matched polished KTP crystal is used as the nonlinear crystal for second-harmonic generation. The individual green pulse width is 50 ns and the fundamental to second harmonic conversion efficiency is 61.8%.     

Determining the dispersions of the fifth- and seventh-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of a poly(4-BCMU) film through electroabsorption spectroscopy

The dispersions of the fifth- and seventh-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities, chi((5))(113333) and chi((7))(11333333) , respectively, of a polydiacetylene film, poly(4-BCMU), are determined through electroabsorption spectroscopy. To our knowledge this is the first time that a spectrum of seventh-order nonlinear optical susceptibility has been obtained by means of electro-optic measurements.     

Spatial solitons in chi(2) planar photonic crystals

We analyze light self-confinement induced by multiple nonlinear resonances in a two-dimensional chi(2) photonic crystal. With reference to second-harmonic generation in a hexagonal lattice, we show that the system can not only support two-color (1+1)D solitary waves with enhanced confinement and steering capabilities but also enable novel features such as wavelength-dependent soliton routing.     

Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation in a GaAs/AlAs superlattice waveguide by ion-implantation-induced intermixing

We report type I second-harmonic generation by use of first-order quasi-phase matching in a GaAs/AlAs symmetric superlattice structure with femtosecond fundamental pulses at 1.55 microm. Periodic spatial modulation of the bulklike second-order susceptibility chi(zxy)(2) was achieved with quantum-well intermixing for which the group III vacancies were created by As+-ion implantation. A narrow second-harmonic bandwidth of approximately 0.9 nm (FWHM) with an average power of approximately 1.5 microW was detected, corresponding to an internal conversion efficiency of approximately 0.06%, which was considerably limited by the spectral bandwidth of the fundamental.     

33 W continuous-wave single-frequency green laser by frequency doubling of a single-mode YDFA

A high power continuous-wave single-frequency green fiber laser by second-harmonic generation of a Yb-doped fiber amplifier(YDFA)is developed.A linearly polarized single-mode fiber amplifier produces a 60 W infrared laser at 1064 nm with a 103 W incident diode pump laser at 976 nm,corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 58%.An external bow-tie enhancement cavity incorporating a noncritically phase-matched lithium triborate crystal is employed for second-harmonic generation.A 33.2 W laser at 532 nm is obtained with a 45 W incident 1064 nm fundamental laser,corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 74%.     

High-average-power femtosecond pulse generation in the blue using BiB3O6

Efficient generation of tunable femtosecond pulses in the blue is reported in the nonlinear crystal BiB3O6. By use of fundamental pulses from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser at 76 MHz, single-pass second-harmonic average powers of as much as 830 mW have been generated at 50% conversion efficiency, and a tunable range of 375-435 nm in the blue is demonstrated. Temporal measurements using cross correlation of the fundamental and second-harmonic pulses in a 100-microm-thick beta-BaB2O4 crystal result in blue pulse durations of 220 fs for 130-fs fundamental pulses. Direct experimental comparison with beta-BaB2O4 confirms the superior performance BiB3O6 for second-harmonic generation of femtosecond pulses.     

990 mW average power, 52% efficient, high-repetition-rate picosecond-pulse generation in the blue with BiB3O6

Efficient single-pass second-harmonic generation (SHG) of tunable high-repetition-rate picosecond pulses into the blue is reported in the nonlinear crystal BiB3O6. Using 2.4 ps fundamental pulses from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser at 76 MHz and a 10 mm crystal cut for type I (e + e --> o) phase matching in the optical yz plane, second-harmonic average powers as high as 990 mW with excellent stability have been generated at 52% conversion efficiency, and a tunable range of 370-450 nm is demonstrated. From measurements of single-pass SHG in the continuous-wave regime an effective nonlinear coefficient of 3.7 pm/V has been verified for BiB3O6, and direct comparison with beta-BaB2O4 confirms a SHG power enhancement of approximately 23% for the same crystal length. Autocorrelation measurements in a 200 microm crystal of beta-BaB2O4 result in durations of 2.8 ps for the second-harmonic blue pulses.     

Phase matching in nonlinear chi((2)) photonic crystals

We analyze harmonic generation in a two-dimensional (2D) chi((2)) photonic crystal and demonstrate the possibility of multiple phase matching and multicolor parametric frequency conversion. We suggest a new type of photonic structure to achieve simultaneous generation of several harmonics; we also present both general analytical results and design parameters for 2D periodically poled LiNbO(3) structures.     

Efficient ultrafast ultraviolet generation based on frequency doubling in short-period periodically-poled KTiOPO4 crystal

We have efficiently generated ultrafast coherent ultraviolet (UV) pulses based on second-harmonic generation in a periodically-poled KTiOPO₄ crystal with the period as short as 2.55 μm. The highest output power is measured to be 20.1 mW at 377.1 nm with the conversion efficiency of 15.6%. Such an output wavelength is probably among the shortest ones generated by forward second-harmonic generation in a periodically-poled KTiOPO₄ crystal.     

基于单晶体的可调谐参量超荧光的产生

研究了一种基于单晶体的可调谐超荧光产生机理，在一个偏硼酸钡(BBO)晶体中实现了飞秒脉冲倍频过程和光参量产生过程.实验中采用kHz高功率钛宝石激光系统输出的飞秒脉冲光倍频后的蓝光作为抽运光，获得了可调谐范围为480—530 nm参量超荧光光谱输出.理论上分析了这种超荧光产生机理，并利用放大传递函数模拟出参量超荧光环的产生过程.结果表明，在一个BBO晶体中，当抽运光源输出光入射晶体角度同时满足倍频相位匹配角和非共线光参量产生相位匹配角时可产生参量超荧光环，通过微调相位匹配角可控制参量超荧光光谱调谐输出.该理论和实验研究为控制参量超荧光和量子纠缠态的产生提供了理论依据，对于量子成像和量子通讯等领域的发展具有重要意义.