Applications of non-collinear second harmonic generation in one-dimensional periodically poled crystals

Whereas the commonly used collinear quasi-phase-matched interaction is usually suitable for phase matching only a single nonlinear process, non-collinear interactions offer rich variety of phase matching possibilities, employing different elements of the nonlinear tensor, and various orders of quasi phase matching. By studying the dependence of the second harmonic process on the angle and the phase matching order in a periodically poled LiNbO₃ crystal, we can non-destructively derive the duty cycle of the structure. The obtained duty cycle agrees well with surface scan measurements using an atomic force microscope. Furthermore, by proper selection of the non-collinear angle, we demonstrate simultaneous second harmonic generation of two cross polarized waves.     

KDP晶体相位匹配角理论预测模型及其验证分析

在高功率固体激光器的终端光学组件内, 大口径薄型KDP (KH₂PO₄)晶体的精密装配和校准是实现惯性约束核聚变的关键技术之一. 为了达到晶体在线安装高效高精度的要求, 需要测量高功率激光三次谐波转换效率达到最高时的晶体相位匹配角分布. 本文针对Ⅰ/Ⅱ类大口径薄型KDP晶体三次谐波转换的方式, 根据晶体的非线性光学属性获得了晶体不同位置相位匹配角之间的关系; 根据激光束在晶体内的传输路径分析得到了晶体面形、相位匹配角与激光三次谐波转换效率达到最高时 晶体最佳偏转角之间的相互关系. 在此基础上, 建立了Ⅰ/Ⅱ类KDP晶体相位匹配角的理论预测模型, 并利用实验进行了验证和分析. 实验结果表明, 晶体相位匹配角的预测值与实验值之差在10.0 μrad以内, 验证了Ⅰ/Ⅱ类KDP晶体相位匹配角理论预测模型的正确性, 为获得晶体全口径相位匹配角分布提供了简单、高效的预测方法.     

周期性极化铌酸锂晶体中半非共线型宽带光学参变放大理论研究

基于周期性极化铌酸锂晶体(PPLN)的准相位匹配光参变放大过程,通过倾斜周期极化铌酸锂晶体中极化域(极化光栅)一定角度,实现了介于共线匹配方式和非共线匹配方式之间的一种半非共线型准相位匹配方式,并以该匹配方式下的各光矢量几何关系得出相位匹配曲线,找到在特定抽运光和信号光波长下能获得宽带增益放大的周期极化长度。并研究其极化倾斜角度与温度特性。模拟计算表明,在合适的角度与温度条件下,该方式可以532 nm抽运光抽运的信号光在800 nm和1064 nm处均获得宽带光参变放大。     

Direct third harmonic generation due to quadratic cascaded processes in periodically poled crystals

We report the first, according to our knowledge, experiment for direct third harmonic (TH) generation in periodically poled quadratic crystals. TH radiation of a diode array pumped and acousto-optically Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser is generated in a 25 mm long periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal of period 7.0 μm. A theoretical model is developed that explains the experimental results. It predicts that the efficient phase-matched direct TH generation in periodically poled structures with duty factor 0.5 requires even order quasi-phase matching. In contrast to the similar experiments in bulk birefringence crystals, where direct phase matched TH signal is the sum of the contribution of both intrinsic and cascaded cubic nonlinearities, in periodically poled quadratic crystals only cascaded cubic nonlinearity contributes to the direct phase-matched TH signal.     

利用宽带倍频特性精确测量准相位匹配晶体的极化周期

 提出了利用准相位匹配晶体进行宽带脉冲倍频,再根据准相位匹配晶体的极化周期与倍频脉冲输出中心波长的相位匹配关系来精确测量准相位匹配晶体极化周期的新方法。理论分析了准相位匹配晶体的极化周期与倍频脉冲的光谱关系、倍频容许带宽与晶体长度的关系。研究表明：宽带脉冲倍频后输出的脉冲峰值波长对应于角度的调谐曲线具有对称性;对于长度为10 mm的极化晶体,其倍频容许带宽不到0.2 nm。实验中,采用了国产PPKTP晶体试验片,晶体尺寸为10 mm×7 mm×1 mm,理想极化周期9 300 nm。结果表明：对于中心波长为537.25 nm的倍频光,其对应的实际晶体极化周期为9 303.9 nm,大于晶体加工时的理想值;当倍频脉冲光谱测量精度为0.01 nm时,准相位匹配晶体的极化周期测量精度达到0.1 nm,远高于一般光学显微镜的观测精度。     

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.     

基于准相位匹配晶体的宽带可调谐光参量放大过程研究

系统分析了基于准相位匹配晶体的光参量放大过程中极化周期和非共线结构对信号光调谐带宽的影响.提出了最大极化周期的概念,用于描述非共线相位匹配和群速度匹配同时满足时晶体的极化周期所能达到的最大值,给出了用于计算不同温度下周期极化铌酸锂晶体的最大极化周期的数学公式,并确定了宽带可调谐光参量放大过程应使用的最佳非共线结构.当采用此非共线结构时,通过将晶体的极化周期设定为最大极化周期可以在相对最大的波长范围内实现信号光的调谐放大输出.在此基础上提出了一个用于最大化光参量放大过程的信号光调谐带宽、确定工作温度等最佳工作参数以及简化实验操作方法的可行性方案.最后对最大极化周期和非共线结构对光参量放大的参量带宽的影响进行了研究. 关键词： 光参量放大 极化周期 非共线结构 带宽     

Double quasi phase matching for both optical parametric oscillator and difference frequency generation

We present simultaneous phase matching of optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and difference frequency generation (DFG), using a noncollinear interaction in periodically poled crystal with single grating. Selecting proper grating period Λ and titled angle ξ between the grating vector G and the optical axis of crystal, the noncollinear scheme provides double phase matching solutions over continuous regions of the midwave infrared spectrum. At certain wavelength regions, for DFG process the group velocities between interaction pulses are matching and the phase matching bandwidth reaches maximum. Selecting the different grating period, the broadband midwave tuning and better gain spectrum can be obtained at different wavelength range. For the certain period grating the conversion efficiency is higher. Hence, using the double phase matching configuration, the broadband tunable midwave infrared wave can be produced in single grating. But the configurations have a relatively narrow angular bandwidth.     

利用自发四波混频测量光子晶体光纤色散

使用脉宽为1.6ps的脉冲光抽运0.6m长的光子晶体光纤,测量由光纤中自发四波混频过程所产生光子对的频谱,并利用所获得的相位匹配数据确定了待测光纤的色散。当抽运光的中心波长以1nm的步长,在1037～1047nm的范围内变化时,通过可调谐滤波器和单光子探测器测量光子晶体光纤产生的信号和闲频光子对的频谱,从而获得11组四波混频相位匹配数据。然后使用阶跃有效折射率模型对所获得的相位匹配数据进行拟合,得出待测光子晶体光纤的纤芯半径和包层空气比的有效值分别为0.949μm和29.52%,并在此基础上计算了光纤的色散及全频谱范围内的四波混频相位匹配曲线。实验结果显示,曲线预测值与实测值之间误差小于0.1%。     

KIO3晶体的折射率和非线性光学性能

本文在可见光波长范围内测量了未极化的KIO₃晶体的三个不同方向的折射率,用实验方法证实了KIO₃晶体存在Ⅰ尖位相匹配曲面,找到了未极化的KIO₃晶体的最佳位相匹配方向。 关键词：     

Mapping of periodically poled crystals via spontaneous parametric down-conversion

A new method for characterization of periodically poled crystals is developed based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The method is demonstrated on crystals of Y:LiNbO₃, Mg:Y:LiNbO₃ with non-uniform periodically poled structures, obtained directly under the Czochralski growth procedure and designed for application of 1.064 μmpumped OPO in the mid-infrared range. Infrared dispersion of refractive index, effective working periods and wavelengths of OPO were determined by special treatment of frequency-angular spectra of spontaneous parametric down-conversion in the visible range. Two-dimensional mapping via spontaneous parametric down-conversion is proposed for characterizing spatial distribution of bulk quasi-phase matching efficiency across the input window of a periodically poled sample.     

A simplified model for second-harmonic generation in uniaxial crystals: phase matching condition

The phase matching condition for second-harmonic generation can be satisfied by a simplified model making use of the conservation of energy and momentum. By using the crystal indicatrix together with our model, we are able to classify uniaxial crystals as Type I and II non-linear optical materials.     

Few‐cycle,broadband, mid‐infrared optical parametric oscillator pumped by a 20‐fs Ti:sapphire laser

A few‐cycle, broadband, singly‐resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) for the mid‐infrared based on MgO‐doped periodically‐poled LiNbO₃ (MgO:PPLN), synchronously pumped by a 20‐fs Ti:sapphire laser is reported. By using crystal interaction lengths as short as 250 µm, and careful dispersion management of input pump pulses and the OPO resonator, near‐transform‐limited, few‐cycle idler pulses tunable across the mid‐infrared have been generated, with as few as 3.7 optical cycles at 2682 nm. The OPO can be continuously tuned over 2179‐3732 nm (4589‐2680 cm^‐1) by cavity delay tuning, providing up to 33 mW of output power at 3723 nm. The idler spectra exhibit stable broadband profiles with bandwidths spanning over 422 nm (FWHM) recorded at 3732 nm. The effect of crystal length on spectral bandwidth and pulse duration is investigated at a fixed wavelength, confirming near‐transform‐limited idler pulses for all grating interaction lengths. By locking the repetition frequency of the pump laser to a radio‐frequency reference, and without active stabilization of the OPO cavity length, an idler power stability better than 1.6% rms over >2.75 hours is obtained when operating at maximum output power, in excellent spatial beam quality with TEM₀₀ mode profile. Photograph shows a multigrating MgO:PPLN crystal used as a nonlinear gain medium in the few‐cycle femtosecond mid‐IR OPO. The visible light is the result of non‐phase‐matched sum‐frequency mixing between the interacting beams.     

Superconductivity of topological matters induced via pressure

By applying pressure on the topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ single crystal, superconducting phase was found without a crystal structure phase transition. The new superconducting phase is under the pressure range of 3 GPa to 6 GPa. The high pressure Hall effect measurements indicated that the superconductivity caused by bulk hole pockets. The high pressure structure investigations with synchrotron X-ray diffraction indicated that the superconducting phase is of similar structure to that of ambient phase structure with only slight change with lattice parameter and internal atomic position. The topological band structures indicate the superconducting phase under high pressure remained topologically nontrivial. The results suggested that topological superconductivity can be realized in Bi₂Te₃ due to the proximity effect between superconducting bulk states and Diractype surface states. We also discussed the possibility that the bulk state could be a topological superconductor.     

用于定向红外对抗的中波红外激光器技术

针对定向红外对抗系统对中波红外激光器在激光波段、激光功率、激光束散角、激光重复频率以及调制波形等方面的具体要求,通过对光泵半导体激光器、量子级联激光器和基于光学参量振荡的固体以及光纤激光器的技术特点与发展现状的分析比较,和对双折射相位匹配与准相位匹配的特点和最新发展动态的梳理,提出用高功率高光束质量的1 064 nm固体激光器或光纤激光器泵浦基于掺氧化镁的周期极化铌酸锂晶体（PPMgLN）的光学参量振荡器的中波红外激光器方案,其波段转换效率可达到16%以上。     

理论构造周期极化KTiOPO_4晶体制备852和1550nm双色纠缠光

利用KTiOPO4(KTP)材料非线性系数d33对应的二阶非线性0-类准相位匹配,理论上设计构造了一种周期极化KTiOPO4晶体(PPKTP),当晶体温度为20℃时,晶体准相位匹配格子的周期为10.70μm。波长为550nm的激光泵浦由该晶体组成的光学参量振荡器能产生含852nm信号光和1550nm的闲置光的双色纠缠,其中信号光对应Cs原子吸收线,闲置光1550nm对应光纤通讯波长。该纠缠光对量子信息网络和原子信息存储有非常重要的意义。     

参变过程中的群速延迟对晶体匹配长度的影响

基于能量守恒和三波耦合波方程,建立了超短脉冲在参变过程中二次谐波产生时的I类和II类相位匹配条件、基波与谐波之间的群速延迟时间、以及群速失配对晶体长度限制的理论基础。以负单轴非线性光学晶体CsLiB6O10为例,分析和数值计算了超短脉冲宽度为100fs时,谐波的群速匹配长度随基波波长变化的规律。研究结果表明在I类相位匹配条件下,基波波长为642nm时,群速延迟最小,相应的群速匹配晶体长度最长为19.1mm;在II类相位匹配条件下,基波波长为767nm,群速延迟最小,群速匹配长度最长为0.89mm。     

Self‐phase‐locked degenerate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on BiB3O6

A self‐phase‐locked degenerate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on the birefringent nonlinear material, bismuth triborate, BiB₃O₆, synchronously‐pumped by a Kerr‐lens‐mode‐locked Ti:sapphire laser at 800 nm is described. By exploiting versatile phase‐matching properties of BiB₃O₆, including large spectral and angular acceptance for parametric generation and low group velocity dispersion in the optical xz plane, stable self‐phase‐locked degenerate OPO operation centered at 1600 nm is demonstrated using collinear type I (e → oo) interaction in a 1.5‐mm crystal at room temperature. The degenerate OPO output spectrum extends over 46 nm (∼5.4 THz) with 190 fs pulse duration for input pump pulses of 155 fs with a bandwidth of 7 nm. Phase coherence between the pump and degenerate output is verified using f‐2f interferometry, and discrete frequency beats caused by different carrier‐envelope‐offset frequencies are measured using radio frequency measurements. Photo shows a 1.5‐mm BiB₃O₆ crystal used as a nonlinear gain medium in a degenerate self‐phase‐locked femtosecond OPO operating at room temperature. The green beam is the result of non‐phase‐matched sum‐frequency mixing between the pump light and the sub‐harmonic OPO field at degeneracy.     

Structures and elastic properties of paraelectric and ferroelectric KTa0.5Nb0.5O3 from first-principles calculation

The structures, elastic properties and intrinsic hardness of B-O bonds of KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal in paraelectric and ferroelectric phase structures have been investigated by means of the density functional theory. Both structures are found to be elastically stable and in good agreement with available results. The elastic properties including the bulk modulus, shear modulus and Young’s modulus change largely during phase transition. The paraelectric KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal is more incompressible and harder than ferroelectric phase. The hardness of KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal is mostly determined by Nb-O bonds and the modifications of the bond strength affect the hardness of the crystal. Charge density contours indicate that the electronic distributions between B-O bonds play an important role in the formation of elastic properties.     

Noncollinear double quasi phase matching in one-dimensional poled crystals

We demonstrate simultaneous phase matching of two different nonlinear processes, using a noncollinear interaction in periodically poled crystal with single grating. The noncollinear scheme provides phase-matching solutions over continuous regions of the optical spectrum and can be used for multiple-harmonic generation as well as all-optical effects. We have demonstrated experimentally third-harmonic generation of a 3 microm pump wavelength in a noncollinear configuration using a periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal. We observed, in good agreement with theoretical calculation, very broad spectral and thermal acceptance bandwidths, as well as a relatively narrow angular bandwidth.