High-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a 3-mm-thick periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 device

We have demonstrated high-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a 3-mm-thick periodically poled 5-mol. % MgO-doped LiNbO3 device with a 32.1-microm grating period and a 30-mm length. With a large-spot-size pump laser of 2.2-mm diameter, we obtained a total output pulse energy of 22 mJ for both the signal (wavelength 1.82 microm) and the idler (2.56 microm) waves at an input pump energy of 46 mJ.     

Middle-infrared intracavity periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 optical parametric oscillator

A periodically poled magnesium oxide-doped lithium niobate (5 mol% MgO:PPLN) intracavity optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a diode-pumped Q-switched Nd:YLF laser operating at 1.047μm is reported. A broad continuous tunable middle-infrared (mid-IR) spectrum of 2.69-4.07μm is obtained by changing the crystal grating periods from 28.5 to 31.5 μm. When the diode pump power is 8 W,the intracavity OPO operating at a repetition rate of 10 kHz produces average output power of 0.42 W,corresponding to conversion efficiency of 5.2% from the laser diode pump to OPO idler output.     

52 mJ narrow-bandwidth degenerated optical parametric system with a large-aperture periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 device

We have demonstrated efficient, high-energy, narrow-spectral-bandwidth 2.128 microm pulse generation by use of periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 devices with a 36 mm length and a 5 mm x 5 mm large aperture. A free-running degenerated optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped with a Q-switched 1.064 microm Nd:YAG laser exhibits a high slope efficiency of 75% and an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 70% with a broad spectral bandwidth (>100 nm). In a configuration with a spectrally narrowed master oscillator followed by a power amplifier, we have achieved an output pulse energy of 52 mJ with a spectral bandwidth of less than 2 nm at the degeneracy point. The total optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of the system reached 50%.     

High-energy, narrow-bandwidth periodically poled Mg-doped LiNbO3 optical parametric oscillator with a volume Bragg grating

We have demonstrated a simple, high-energy, narrow spectral bandwidth optical parametric oscillator (OPO) by use of a large aperture periodically poled Mg-doped LiNbO(3) device with a volume Bragg grating (VBG). A free-running degenerate OPO pumped by a Q-switched 1.064 microm Nd:YAG laser exhibits maximum output pulse energy of 110 mJ with high slope efficiency of 75% around room temperature. Broad spectral bandwidth (Dlambda~100 nm) around the degeneracy wavelength was suppressed by using a VBG as an output coupler. Up to 61 mJ of the output pulse energy with narrowed spectral bandwidth of less than 1.4 nm was obtained at the degeneracy wavelength of 2.128 microm.     

Internal Q-switching and self-optical parametric oscillation in a two-dimensional periodically poled Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 laser

We report on an internally Q-switched self-optical parametric oscillator (SOPO) based on a monolithic two-dimensional (2D) periodically poled Nd:MgO:LiNbO(3) (Nd:MgO:PPLN) integrating three device functionalities of a laser gain medium, an electro-optic Bragg Q-switch, and an optical parametric gain medium (OPGM). The quasi-phase-matching conditions required by the Bragg Q-switch and OPGM are both satisfied in the 2D nonlinear photonic crystal (NPC) structure formed in the Nd:MgO:PPLN. A 1525 nm signal with a pulse energy of ～3.3 μJ (>350 W peak power) was obtained from the SOPO at 8.5 W diode pump power. An off-angle signal at 1612 nm, amplified by a unique gain-enhancement effect in this 2D NPC, was also observed. Tuning of the SOPO in the eye-safe region was demonstrated.     

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     

Quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation with periodically poled stoichiometric LiTaO(3)

We have demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, periodic poling of a 2-mm-thick near-stoichiometric LiTaO(3) substrate and its operation in a nanosecond optical parametric oscillator. Because the coercive field of stoichiometric LiTaO(3) is ~2 kV/mm , which is approximately one tenth that of the conventional congruent field, periodic poling of thicker stoichiometric substrates was successfully performed by means of an electric-field poling process at room temperature. The performance of a parametric oscillator with a 1-mm-thick sample was compared with that of the oscillator with the periodically poled congruent oscillator. The stoichiometric device exhibited better performance.     

Continuous wave monolithic quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillator in periodically poled lithium niobate

We demonstrate a monolithic and quasi-phasematched singly resonant cw optical parametric oscillator in periodically poled lithium niobate. The threshold is 1.0 W and the OPO delivers up to 0.98 W signal power tunable between 1750 and 1950 nm (2710 and 2340 nm idler, respectively). We identify cascaded parasitic oscillation effects and analyze their behavior theoretically, showing good agreement with our experiment. The analysis of parasitic effects points the way to improved device designs that should enable stable, compact, and frequency-tunable sources.     

Cascaded optical parametric oscillation with a dual-grating periodically poled lithium niobate crystal

We demonstrate continuous-wave cascaded optical parametric oscillation in which the signal field of the primary parametric oscillator internally pumps the secondary parametric oscillator. Wavelength tuning is achieved with temperature tuning and a fan-out grating structure of a dual-grating periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Above the secondary threshold the primary signal power is clamped, and all the other output powers increase linearly with the input pump power, in accordance with theory. Cascaded parametric oscillation offers a convenient and efficient way to generate multiple tunable outputs.     

Tm:YLF laser-pumped periodically poled MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 crystal optical parametric oscillators

At room temperature, highly efficient, doubly resonant periodically poled MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 crystal optical parametric oscillators (OPO) pumped at 1.9 μm have been realized for the first time to our knowledge. A 2.9 W, 2 kHz acousto-optic Q-switched homemade Tm:YLF laser served as a pump source. A 900 mW mid-infrared emission generated from an OPO is illustrated. The overall mid-infrared generation conversion efficiency reached 31%, whereas the slope efficiency was up to 70%.     

Toward an optical synthesizer: a single-frequency parametric oscillator using periodically poled LiNbO(3)

We demonstrate single-frequency operation of a cw quasi-phase-matched singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO). We obtained widely tunable output from 1.66 to 1.99 mum (signal) and from 2.29 to 2.96 mum (idler) by employing a periodically poled lithium niobate multigrating chip. Using a single-frequency miniature Nd:YAG ring laser as a pump source results in SRO output with high spectral purity and frequency stability(<10 MHz/min), which can be continuously tuned over 2 GHz without mode hops. We obtain a minimum SRO threshold of 260mW by resonating the pump wave in the SRO cavity.     

Broadband infrared generation with noncollinear optical parametric processes on periodically poled LiNbO(3)

Broadband signal and idler generation based on the spectral retracing behavior in noncollinear phase matching of optical parametric generation in periodically poled LiNbO(3) (PPLN) is reported. Using PPLN of 29.5-mum quasi-phase-matching period and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser as a pump, we obtained a broad signal spectrum from 1.66 to 1.96 mum and corresponding idler wavelengths from 2.328 to 2.963 mum. The experimental results were consistent with theoretical predictions. Circular and elliptical pump beams were also compared.     

Picosecond Ti:sapphire-pumped optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled LiNbO(3)

Periodically poled lithium niobate has been used in a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator pumped by a cw mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. A tuning range of 1.15 to 2.4 microm was achieved when the pump was tuned, and this range was limited only by the mirror reflection bandwidth. Thresholds as low as 18 mW and an overall slope efficiency of 44% were observed, with average output powers of 130 mW (70 mW) for the signal (idler).     

Singly resonant optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides

We report quasi-phase-matched singly resonant optical parametric oscillation in electric-field-poled lithium niobate waveguides. Parametric gains as high as 250%/W, an oscillation threshold of 1.6 W (peak), idler output powers of 220 mW, and a tuning range of 1180-2080 nm for pump wavelengths of 756-772 nm have been observed. Pump depletion is limited to 40% because of the multiple launched transverse modes at the pump wavelength. We predict that fully optimized waveguide singly resonant oscillators can have thresholds of ~100 mW, accessible to cw diode pumping.     

Continuous-wave operation of a single-frequency optical parametric oscillator at 4-5 microm based on periodically poled LiNbO3

We present a cw, Nd:YAG-pumped singly resonant single-frequency narrow-linewidth high-power optical parametric oscillator with idler tuning from 3.7 to 4.7 microm. In this spectral range the absorption of the idler wave in the LiNbO3 crystal is significant, causing the oscillation threshold to increase with a subsequent decrease in output power from 1.2 W at 3.9 microm to 120 mW at 4.7 microm. The optical parametric oscillator's cavity was stabilized and mode-hop tuned with a rotatable solid etalon but with a subsequent reduction in idler power of as much as 50%. We demonstrated the usefulness for spectroscopy by recording the photoacoustic spectrum of a strong CO2 absorption, using a 24-GHz continuous idler scan.     

Low-pump-threshold tunable optical parametric oscillator using periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3

We fabricated and characterized periodically poled MgO:LiNbO₃ device with five gratings in 0.5 μm increments from 29 μm to 31 μm for optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The OPO operation threshold is 30 μJ using this device with a 50 mm effective length. At 560 mW input pump power, we have achieved 300 mW of the total output power, and the conversion efficiency is 54%. Multi-periods and temperatures tuning of the OPO yields a signal wavelength range from 1.45 to 1.72 μm and an idler wavelength range from 2.8 to 4.05 μm in the mid infrared.     

Degenerate parametric light scattering in periodically poled LiNbO3:Y:Fe

The first observation of parametric light scattering patterns (rings, lines, and dots) in bulk periodically poled nonlinear media is reported. Development of the scattering patterns proves efficient photorefractive grating recording and considerable parametric gain for seed radiation in this new nonlinear material. Several novel phase-matched parametric processes, caused by the periodicity of the domain structure, are revealed.     

High-power optical parametric oscillation in large-aperture periodically poled KTiOPO(4)

Electric field poling has been employed to fabricate 3-mm-thick periodically poled KTiOPO>(4) crystal for a high-power optical parametric oscillator. The maximum output power of the singly resonant optical parametric oscillator reached 13 mJ with 45% efficiency when the resonator was pumped with a 2.2-mm-diameter beam from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The influence of the cavity design on the spectral and spatial qualities of the output parametric radiation is also discussed.     

Widely and continuously tunable optical parametric generator based on MgO-doped periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal

A widely and continuously tunable optical parametric generator (OPG) pumped by a 1064-nm acoustooptically Q-switched diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG laser based on MgO-doped periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal with a multigrating structure (29.2-30.4 μm) is reported.A broad continuous signal spectrum of 1513-1700 nm is obtained by changing the crystal grating periods from 29.2 to 30.4μm and by tuning the crystal temperature from 30 to 180 ℃ simultaneously.When the average pump power is 1.82 W with pulse duration of about 70 ns operating at a repetition rate of 10 kHz,the maximum signal output power of the periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate (PPMgLN) OPG is about 210 mW corresponding to the idler and total powers of 118.4 and 328.4 mW respectively.     

Study on broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator based on MgO-doped periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal

An efficient source of all-solid-state broadly tunable mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator based on a periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate is reported. The pump source is a 1064nm acousto-optically Q-switched diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. A broadly tunable mid-infrared output from 1.56 to 1.67 μm were generated, with corresponding idler wavelengths of 3.34 to 2.93 μm by temperature tuning from 40 to 200°C. When the average pump power is 1.61 W with about 70 ns pulse duration operating at a repetition rate of 10 kHz, the maximum signal output power of the PPMgLN-OPO is about 211 mW at 1631 nm.