Difference-frequency generation by mixing dual-wavelength pulses emitting from an electronically tuned Ti:sapphire laser

Broadly tunable difference-frequency generation (DFG) in AgGaS₂ was achieved by mixing dual-wavelength oscillating pulses from an electronically tuned Ti:sapphire laser with a two-frequency-driven acousto-optic device. Continuous tuning from 6.5 to 8.5 μm was achieved by simultaneous dual-wavelength-tuned DFG without crystal rotation. In the dual-pulse oscillation, the shorter and longer wavelength pulses were tuned from 700 to 775 nm and from 763 to 880 nm, respectively, while keeping the phase-matching relationship for DFG. When crystal rotation was adopted, however, the tunable output range was extended from 5.3 to 12 μm by tuning the longer wavelength pump pulse, while the shorter wavelength pulse was fixed. Received: 18 November 1998 / Revised version: 5 February 1999 / Published online: 26 May 1999     

A three-wavelength Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser for use with the multi-excited photosystem II

We have constructed a three-wavelength Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser with an independent tunable wavelength (λ₁) and two variable central wavelengths (λ₂ and λ₃) for use with the multi-excited photosystem II. Stable sub-40-fs pulses are generated. The λ₁-wavelength pulses can be tuned independently from 750 nm to 850 nm. The center wavelengths λ₂ and λ₃ can be varied from 760 nm to 840 nm. Received: 14 April 2000 / Revised version: 5 September 2000 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Efficient intracavity second-harmonic generation at 1.06 μm in a BiB3O6 (BIBO) crystal

We report, for the first time, efficient intracavity second-harmonic generation (SHG) at 1.06 μm in a non-linear optical crystal, BiB₃O₆ (BIBO), at a type-I phase-matching direction of (θ,ϕ)=(168.9°,90°), performed with a LD end-pumped cw Nd:YVO₄ laser. A cw SHG output power of 364 mW has been obtained using a 1.9-mm-thick BIBO crystal. The optical conversion efficiency was 12.2% and the corresponding effective intracavity SHG efficiency was determined to be 32.4%. It was found that the intracavity SHG efficiency is greater than that obtained with a type-II phase-matching KTiOPO₄ (KTP) crystal with a thickness of 3 mm. The effective non-linear optical coefficient (d_eff) ratio of BIBO to that of KTP, determined experimentally, is 1.23:1. Received: 7 May 2001 / Revised version: 6 July 2001 / Published online: 19 September 2001     

Electric-field enhancement of beam coupling in Sn2P2S6

The influence of an external field on photorefractive recording in Sn₂P₂S₆ (SPS) crystals is studied. A large gain factor of more then 15 cm^-1 is achieved for a grating spacing of 12 μm at λ=0.9 μm. For an applied field exceeding ±200 V/cm a switching of the beam coupling direction is detected, exhibiting a pronounced hysteresis. Received: 25 October 2000 / Revised version: 18 January 2001 / Published online: 21 March 2001     

Mid-infrared trace gas detection using continuous-wave difference frequency generation in periodically poled RbTiOAsO4

A tunable mid-infrared continuous-wave (cw) spectroscopic source in the 3.4–4.5 μm region is reported, based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in a quasi-phase-matched periodically poled RbTiOAsO₄ (PPRTA) crystal, DFG power levels of 10 μW were generated at approximately 4 μm in a 20-mm long PPRTA crystal by mixing two cw single-frequency Ti:Al₂O₃ lasers operating near 713 nm and 871 nm, respectively, using a laser pump power of 300 mW. A quasi-phase-matched infrared wavelength-tuning bandwidth (FWHM) of ∼12 cm^-1 and a temperature tuning rate of 1.02 cm^-1/°C were achieved. Experimental details regarding the feasibility of trace gas detection based on absorption spectroscopy of CO₂ in ambient air using this DFG radiation source are also described. Received: 23 October 2000 / Revised version: 22 January 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Efficient cascaded difference frequency conversion in periodically poled Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides using pulsed and cw pumping

Using an FM-mode-locked Ti:Er:LiNbO₃ waveguide laser as the fundamental source, wavelength conversion by cascaded χ⁽²⁾:χ⁽²⁾-difference frequency generation with a conversion efficiency of up to +3(-4.6) dB was demonstrated at a pulse repetition rate of about 2 (10) GHz. In addition, multi-channel conversion was demonstrated with a fully packaged wavelength converter using a continuous fundamental source. Received: 29 May 2001 / Revised version: 10 August 2001 / Published online: 2 November 2001     

A laser system providing tunable, narrow-band radiation from 35 nm to 2 μm

We describe a laser system that readily provides radiation tunable from 2 μm in the infra-red to 35 nm in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The broad spectral range is covered through a range of non-linear processes such as Raman shifting and high-order harmonic generation. Pulses with duration of tens of picoseconds are obtained. The relative bandwidth of the radiation is δλ/λ=10^-4, comparable with what can be achieved by using high-resolution monochromators at state-of-the-art synchrotron beamlines. We discuss different methods for characterising the radiation in this wide wavelength regime. We also discuss the capabilities of the system from the measured parameters. Received: 12 December 2000 / Revised version: 8 March 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Efficient and compact intracavity-frequency-doubled Nd:GdVO4/KTP laser end-pumped by a fiber-coupled laser diode

A compact and efficient diode-pumped intracavity-frequency-doubled Nd:GdVO₄/KTP green laser is demonstrated with a flat–flat cavity design. With a 1.3 at. % Nd³⁺-doped GdVO₄ crystal and pumped at the weak-absorption peak of 806 nm, the second-harmonic output power at 532 nm was measured to be 1.95 W at an incident pump power of 8.4 W, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 23.2%. The output characteristic at the fundamental wavelength of 1.063 μm was investigated with two different pump wavelengths. More than 4.5-W output power was generated when the laser was pumped at 806.2 nm. Received: 26 July 2000 / Revised version: 18 September 2000 / Published online: 7 February 2001     

Investigation of intracavity third-harmonic generation at 1.06 μm in YCa4O(BO3)3 crystals

Intracavity sum-frequency mixing of 1.06 μm and 532 nm in YCa₄O(BO₃)₃ (YCOB) crystals cut for different type-I phase-matching directions of (θ,ϕ)=(106°,77.2°), (111°, 79.6°) and (65°, 82.8°) was investigated in a compact diode-end-pumped acousto-optical Q-switched Nd:YVO₄/KTP laser formed with a three-mirror folded resonator. The maximum 355-nm average output power of 124 mW was obtained in the phase-matching direction of (106°, 77.2°) with a pump-to-ultraviolet conversion efficiency of 3.3% at the repetition frequency of 20 kHz. Received: 17 September 2001 / Revised version: 27 November 2001 / Published online: 17 January 2002     

Low-threshold mid-infrared optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled LiNbO3 synchronously pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser

We report the generation of tunable high-repetition-rate optical pulses in the mid-infrared using synchronously pumped parametric oscillation in periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN). Using a Kerr-lens-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser as the pump source and a PPLN crystal incorporating grating periods of 21.0–22.4 μm, we have achieved wavelength conversion in the -–4 6μm spectral range in the mid-infrared. The use of a semi-monolithic cavity design and hemispherical focusing has permitted pulse generation in the strong idler absorption region of PPLN, resulting in a simple, compact, all-solid-state configuration with a pump power threshold as low as 17 mW and mid-infrared idler powers of up to 64 mW at 9% extraction efficiency. Signal output powers of up to 280 mW at 35% extraction efficiency are available over the -–1.004 1.140μm spectral range at 80.5 MHz and pulse repetition rates at harmonics of the fundamental frequency up to 322 MHz have also been obtained. Received: 5 December 2000 / Revised version: 23 January 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Interaction of two light beams with different polarizations in TGS

By ellipsometric measurements we have observed the polarization variations of the primary light beam, with wavelength λ₁=5145 ?, interacting with the secondary light beam of controlled variable polarization, transmitted through a TGS crystal layer. We present a theoretical explanation based on the second-order optical nonlinearity of TGS. Received: 4 December 2001 / Revised version: 28 May 2002 / Published online: 25 October 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +48-22/660-5447, E-mail: petyk@if.pw.edu.pl     

Theoretical model of phonon propagation in micro- and nanostructural materials

Peculiarities of the kinetics of weakly nonequilibrium thermal phonons (λ_ph = 10−50 nm) in nanodispersed ceramics are investigated. The features of the phonon spectrum in the wavelength range λ_ph ∼ R _g (where R _g is the average size of a ceramic grain) are studied. The conditions yielding the formation of a gap in the phonon spectrum of nanodispersed materials are analyzed. It is shown that the presence of inclusions with characteristic sizes smaller than the grain size of the parent ceramic material (pores, inclusions of other phases) shifts the gap toward the high-frequency range of the phonon spectrum. Peculiarities of the transport of nonequilibrium phonons during the transition from nano- to microdispersed sizes of the ceramic structure are analyzed.     

Continuous frequency up-conversion in a double-Λ scheme of Na2

 In a double-Λ level configuration of Na₂ molecules, involving rotational–vibrational levels of the X, A and B bands, continuous resonant frequency mixing ω₄=ω₁−ω₂+ω₃ is demonstrated. A DCM dye laser at 661 nm (λ₁) pumps a molecular Raman laser at 746 nm (λ₂) in a sodium heatpipe, which is used to generate the molecular vapour. In the same heatpipe, both fields are mixed with the radiation of an argon-ion laser at 514 nm (λ₃) to generate up-converted laser radiation at 473 nm (λ₄). For laser powers of 200 mW (λ₁), 700 mW (λ₂, internal power) and 140 mW (λ₃), an output power of 120 μW (λ₄) has been achieved. Dependences of the generated radiation on the pump fields (powers and detunings) and polarization features are presented; influences of coherent coupling and population transfer mechanisms are discussed. Received: 7 October 1996     

Kilohertz extreme-ultraviolet light source based on femtosecond high-order harmonic generation from noble gases

A compact, versatile table-top kilohertz source of coherent extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) radiation in the wavelength region 18–100 nm, based on high-order harmonic generation from noble gases induced by a 40-femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser system, is presented. The XUV beamline delivers at its output 10⁸ photons/s at a wavelength of 23 nm. The monochromatized XUV radiation is directly focused onto a 10^-2-mm² spot by a toroidal grating, allowing one to reach intensities higher than 10⁶ W/cm². Optimization results are presented for a new XUV-generating geometry, utilizing a ‘semi-infinite’ quasi-static gas cell and strong focusing. In those conditions, we observe an anomalous inversion between the cutoffs of argon and krypton, with the krypton spectrum extending to much higher orders than expected in an adiabatic limit. Received: 9 July 2001 / Revised version: 1 August 2001 / Published online: 7 November 2001     

Optical parametric oscillators for high pulse energy and high average power operation based on large aperture periodically poled KTP and RTA

We report on optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) based on large aperture periodically poled KTiOPO₄ (PPKTP) and RbTiOAsO₄ (PPRTA) pumped with high pulse energy and high average power Q-switched solid-state lasers. The OPOs were pumped with 1064-nm pulses of a diode-pumped Nd:YVO₄ laser at 20 kHz repetition rate. The emitted signal wavelengths were 1.72 μm and 1.58 μm and the idler wavelengths were 2.79 μm and 3.26 μm, respectively. Pumping the PPKTP OPO with 7.2 W and the PPRTA OPO with 8 W average power, 2 W and 1.3 W total OPO output powers were generated. Two-dimensional measurements of the total OPO output power, the signal wavelength and the signal bandwidth in dependence on the crystal location indicated a good uniformity of the quasiphasematching structure over the entire 3-mm-thick crystals. This allowed pumping with larger pump beams and therefore with pulse energies of tens of millijoules. Pumping with different flash-lamp-pumped lasers, good OPO performance and high output pulse energies could be achieved for all pump lasers. Maximum input pulse energies of 56 mJ gave output pulse energies of as much as 18 mJ. The temperature tuning behaviors of both OPOs were measured, showing excellent agreement with calculated temperature tuning curves. New equations for temperature dispersion in RTA are presented. These results show that large-aperture PPKTP and PPRTA crystals are well suited for tunable nanosecond OPO operation with multi-watt average pump power and several tens of millijoules pump pulse energies. Received: 7 September 2001 / Published online: 7 November 2001     

Nonlinear refraction and absorption in hetero- thiometallic planar clusters

The nonlinear absorption and refraction of the clusters [MoS₄Cu₄Br₂(py)₆] and [Et₄N]₂[MoS₄Cu₄(SCN)₄(2-pic)₄] have been investigated using the z-scan technique with a ns laser at 532 nm wavelength. They have the same planar ‘open’ structures and the same skeleton metal atoms; the only difference is that the former has halogen ligands while the latter possesses pseudo-halogen groups – SCN – as ligands. Alteration of nonlinear refractive index and enhancement of nonlinear absorption were found in these two clusters. A steady state model of excited state nonlinear refraction was proposed to explain this phenomenon. Received: 12 June 2001 / Revised version: 4 September 2001 / Published online: 29 November 2001     

Electronic double refraction due to the Rashba effect: Analytical and numerical results

By analogy with the classic effect of the double refraction of light, we investigate the relevant effect of an electron entering from the Non-Rashba region to the Rashba region in two-dimensional systems. It is shown that the effect of electronic double refraction is determined by a combined parameter γ = m ^* λ _F α/2πħ², rather than both the Rashba coefficient α and wavelength λ _F of a Fermi electron, separately. For the case of normal incidence, the analytical expressions for the wavefunction of the electron are presented; it is predicted that the Rashba spin-orbit coupling can induce a current perpendicular to the normal incident direction of the electron. Moreover, the general case of incident electron with any given momentum and spin state are studied numerically in detail, including the abrupt changes of spin direction and the two-step characters for reflection.      

Difference-frequency generation in PPLN at 4.25 μm: an analysis of sensitivity limits for DFG spectrometers

We report difference-frequency generation (DFG) in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) around 4.25 μm using a cw Nd:YAG and an injection-locked diode laser. This system provides a narrow linewidth source at 4.25 μm with near-shot-noise-limited operation. A conversion efficiency close to the theoretical limit is obtained. Detection of CO₂ absorption spectra is demonstrated and further improvements and applications to high sensitivity spectroscopy are discussed. Received: 12 August 1999 / Revised version: 21 January 2000 / Published online: 24 March 2000     

Intra-cavity second harmonic generation with Nd:YVO4/BIBO laser at 542 nm

We report, for the first time, an efficient intra-cavity second-harmonic generation (SHG) at 1084 nm in a nonlinear optical crystal, BiB₃O₆(BIBO) at the direction of (θ, ?) = (170.1°, 90°), performed with a LD end-pumped cw Nd:YVO₄ laser. With 590 mW diode pump power, a continuous-wave (cw) SHG output power of 19 mW at 542 nm yellow-green color has been obtained using a 1.5 mm-thick BIBO crystal. The optical conversion efficiency was 3.22%. It was found that the output wavelength could be 532 nm, 537 nm or 542 nm according to regulating the angle of BIBO.     

Intracavity second-harmonic generation of 1.06 μm in GdCa4O(BO3)3 crystals

The characteristics of intracavity second-harmonic generation (SHG) at 1.06 μm in GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ (GdCOB) crystals cut for different type I phase-matching (PM) directions of (θ,φ)=(66.8°, 132.3°); (19.4°, 0°); (90°, 46°) have been investigated. It was found that the intracavity SHG was significantly efficient in the PM direction of (66.8°, 132.3°), and that the intrinsic lower effective nonlinear coefficient (d_eff) was responsible for the less-efficient SHG in the other two directions. A maximum CW SHG output power of 2.81 W was obtained with an optical conversion efficiency of 18.7%, while the corresponding effective intracavity SHG efficiency was determined to be 41.3%. The intracavity SHG efficiency of GdCOB has been found to reach two-thirds of that obtained with type II phase-matching KTiOPO₄ (KTP). Received: 26 April 2000 / Revised version: 3 July 2000 / Published online: 5 October 2000