All-optical wavelength tuning in Ti:PPLN Šolc filter via the photorefractive effect

We demonstrate fine-wavelength tuning of a periodically poled Ti:LiNbO₃ (Ti:PPLN) Šolc filter by use of the photorefractive (PR) effect. The center wavelength of a Ti:PPLN Šolc filter is controlled by the PR effect, which is induced by second-harmonic generation (SHG). The refractive index change caused by the PR effect is calculated from the measured shift in center wavelength from the Ti:PPLN Šolc filter. The experimental results show that all-optical fine-wavelength tuning in a Ti:PPLN Šolc filter is possible by the use of a second-order nonlinear effect and that a Ti:PPLN waveguide has much higher resistance to PR damage than a Ti:LiNbO₃ waveguide. The measured wavelength tuning rate as a function of the pump beam power is about − 0.033 nm/mW.     

Characterization of second and third order optical nonlinearities of ZnO sputtered films

We measured the second and third order optical nonlinearity of zinc oxide, grown on glass substrates by the ion beam sputtering technique. Second and third harmonic generation measurements were performed by means of the rotational Maker fringes technique for different polarization configurations, thus allowing the determination of all non-zero components of the second order susceptibility at three different fundamental beam wavelengths, i.e., 1064 nm, 1542 nm and 1907 nm. The dispersion of the nonlinear optical coefficients has been evaluated, while the nonlinear optical coefficients were found to range between 0.9 pm/V and 0.16 pm/V for d₃₃, 0.53 pm/V and 0.08 pm/V for |d₁₅|, 0.31 and 0.08 pm/V for |d₃₁|, with increasing wavelength. Finally, one third order susceptibility, χ_ijkl ⁽³⁾, has been determined by third harmonic generation measurements at a fundamental wavelength λ=1907 nm and a value for χ₃₃₃₃ ⁽³⁾ of 185×10^-20 m²/V² has been found. PACS 42.65.An; 42.65.Ky; 42.70.Nq     

基于光纤环形腔激光器的可调谐全光波长转换器的研究

在光纤环形腔激光器中引入周期极化反转铌酸锂(PPLN)光波导，用该激光器产生的连续光作为抽运光和控制光，使其与外加的信号光发生非线性效应实现可调谐波长转换.介绍了基于准相位匹配的PPLN光波导中的和频与差频级联型全光波长转换器的基本原理.对抽运光、信号光、控制光以及转换光的光功率随着PPLN光波导的变化进行了模拟.还对转换效率随着转换光波长的变化进行了数值计算.实验验证了该波长转换器的可调谐性. 关键词： 周期极化反转铌酸锂 和频与差频 可调谐全光波长转换 光纤环形腔激光器     

Surface second-harmonic generation based on periodically poled LiNbO3 nonlinear optical crystal

We have generated a second-harmonic generation(SHG) of a Q-switched microchip Nd:YAG laser on the surface of a periodically poled LiNbO3(PPLN) nonlinear crystal near the grazing incidence angle.Three individual SHG waves as transmitted homogeneous,inhomogeneous and reflected radiations have been generated and their intensities are measured and characterized within a desirable range of about 10 different incidence angles of the Nd:YAG laser as pump source on the PPLN surface.The basic of surface nonlinear radiation is also investigated and similar results are calculated and extracted from the theory.Comparison between calculated and measured data shows that they are in good agreement with each other.     

Spectral properties and quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation in a new active medium: optical superlattice Nd:MgO:LiNbO3

3 crystal – was grown in our Laboratory. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured and show some differences from the results of common Nd:MgO:LiNbO₃ with monodomain structure. Third-order quasi-phase-matched violet second-harmonic generation in the sample was demonstrated to characterize the quality of the crystal. The properties indicate that the periodically poled optical superlattice Nd:MgO:LiNbO₃ has great potential for constructing a blue or green light source through self-frequency-doubling operation using the maximum nonlinear optical coefficient d₃₃ of LiNbO₃ and the high-gain π polarization at the same time. Received: 22 August 1997/Revised version: 10 January 1998     

Studies of the second-order nonlinear optical properties of cubic boron nitride

Cubic boron nitride (cBN) is a kind of artificial wide-energy-gap semiconductor crystal, which has zinc blende structure with Td symmetry. The second-order nonlinear optical properties of cBN single crystal were investigated for the first time. Using a Q-switching Nd:YAG laser, the optical rectification and the second-harmonic generation at 532 nm from cBN single crystal were observed. In order to determine the nonlinear optical coefficient of a minute-size cBN sample, a simple method based on modified transverse linear electro-optic modulation was also introduced. This approach is convenient because it is unnecessary to know the absolute intensity of a probing beam for measuring the half-wave voltage of a cBN sample. Finally, cBN’s linear electro-optic coefficient γ₄₁=1.07×10^-14 m/V and nonlinear optical coefficient d₁₄(0,ω,-ω)=1.07×10^-13 m/V were obtained. PACS 42.65.An; 42.65.Ky; 78.20.Jq     

Cascaded χ(2) nonlinearity in QND measurement

 QND measurement schemes often use Kerr nonlinearity to couple the intensity fluctuations of the signal beam to the phase fluctuations of the probe beam by means of the cross-phase modulation effect. Such schemes use materials with intrinsic χ⁽³⁾nonlinearity. However, it has already been shown that Kerr-effect-like correlation between two light waves may be achieved through cascaded χ⁽²⁾: χ⁽²⁾ processes. The value of the nonlinearity induced by cascading χ⁽²⁾ can, in many cases, be much higher than fibre χ⁽³⁾. The authors point out the possibility of using the cascaded χ⁽²⁾ nonlinearity instead of intrinsic χ⁽³⁾ nonlinearity in the scheme which resembles the well-known photon number QND measurement scheme. The non-degenerate second-harmonic generation (SHG) with a large phase mismatch is considered. The harmonic wave influence on the measurements is shown. High QND measurement characteristics can be achieved with the use of an appropriate set of parameters. Received: 6 April 1996     

52% optical-to-optical conversion efficiency in a compact 1.5 W 532 nm second harmonic generation laser with intracavity periodically-poled MgO:LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Intracavity second-harmonic generation of 1.56 and 1.52 W continuous-wave 532 nm green laser radiation was obtained by quasi-phase matching in periodically-poled MgO:LiNbO₃ (MgO:PPLN) crystals with lengths of 2 and 1 mm, respectively. The maximum optical-to-optical efficiency achieved was 52%. The intracavity temperature bandwidth was 15 and 12°C for 1 mm crystal and 2 mm crystal, respectively.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Sc:LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

The results of Er³⁺ ion spectroscopic analysis in Sc:LiNbO₃ crystals were reported. The line strengths from the ground state to the excited state were evaluated from the measured unpolarized absorption spectrum and analyzed by using standard Judd–Ofelt theory. For Sc(3 mol. %):Er (1 mol. %):LiNbO₃ crystal, the obtained intensity parameters are: Ω₂=3.72×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=1.07×10^-20 cm², and Ω₆=0.98×10^-20 cm². The fluorescence spectra and microsecond time-resolved spectra were investigated in the visible region. The excited state absorption transition strengths at 800 nm excitation were evaluated based on Judd–Ofelt theory. The results obtained here were compared to results from other research on Er:LiNbO₃ crystals. PACS 71.20.Eh; 77.84.Dy; 42.70.Hj; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Ky     

Characterization of nonlinear optical parameters of KDP,LiNbO3 and BBO crystals

Third-order nonlinear susceptibilities (χ⁽³⁾) and nonlinear refractive indices (n₂) of KDP, BBO and LiNbO₃ crystals are measured at the wavelengths of 1064 nm and 532 nm by Z-scan technique. The measurements were carried out at different pulse energies, focusing conditions, and crystals’ lengths. It was shown that the increase of phase-matching angle leads to the decreasing of χ⁽³⁾ of KDP crystals. The parameters of multi-photon absorption in KDP, BBO and LiNbO₃ crystals are determined. The analysis and comparison of experimental and theoretical values of nonlinear susceptibilities are presented.     

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     

Thermo-electric method for nearly complete oxidization of highly iron-doped lithium niobate crystals

A new method is presented, allowing the nearly complete oxidization of lithium niobate crystals (LiNbO₃), doped with large amounts of iron oxide (0.05–3 wt. % Fe₂O₃) utilizing annealing at 700 °C in the presence of externally applied electric fields. The treatment results in a concentration ratio of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions of less than 2×10^-3. Strong oxidization of iron in LiNbO₃ reduces the photorefractive effect and is therefore of particular interest for nonlinear-optical applications. PACS 42.65.-k; 66.30.Hs; 71.55.-i     

Fast and wide-range continuously tunable Šolc-type filter based on periodically poled LiNbO3

We present a fast and wide-range continuously tunable Šolc-type filter based on periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN) in this paper. The filter is formed in PPLN by applying a biased dc electric field along the y-axis, and the tuning of a transmitted central wavelength is realized by applying another dc electric field along the z-axis. The numerical results demonstrate that the tuning range covers as much as 16 nm, and the dependence of the transmitted central wavelength shift on the control electric field, shows a nearly linear relation with a tuning rate of 0.95 kV/mm per nm. PACS 42.65.-k; 78.20.Jq; 42.79.Ci     

Optimized second-order optical nonlinearity in thermally poled GeS<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>-KI chalcohalide glass

0.56GeS₂-0.24Ga₂S₃-0.2KI (mol%) chalcohalide glass was prepared and second-harmonic generation was observed by the thermal poling process. Second-order optical nonlinearity in the glass was also investigated by different poling temperature, voltage and time to optimize the poling parameters to improve χ ⁽²⁾. The maximum χ ⁽²⁾ in our study as large as 3.74 pm/V was obtained under the optimized poling condition with 5.2 kV, 260°C and 120 minutes.     

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of yttrium formate dihydrate,Y(HCOO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Yttrium formate dihydrate, Y(HCOO)₃·2H₂O (point group 222), a promising new material for Raman laser frequency converters, has been reinvestigated with respect to the linear and nonlinear optical (second-harmonic generation, SHG) properties. High-precision data of refractive indices and their dispersion in the wavelength range 365–1083 nm are given, together with the three independent components of the tensor of nonlinear optical susceptibility (SHG) [d_ijk ^SHG]. A calculation of the macroscopic nonlinear optical susceptibility from the hyperpolarizabilities of the formate groups results in good agreement with the experimental values. This signals that the nonlinear optical interaction in Y(HCOO)₃·2H₂O can mainly be attributed to the formate groups. PACS 42.65.Ky; 42.70.Mp; 78.20.Ci     

Nonlinear optical properties of orthorhombic barium formate and magnesium barium fluoride

The nonlinear optical susceptibility tensors of barium formate (point group 222) and magnesium barium fluoride (point group mm 2) have been determined by the method of Maker fringes on the basis of a more rigorous theoretical treatment of second-harmonic generation of electromagnetic waves in plane-parallel plates of optically biaxial crystals. The measurements have been carried out in comparison with the KDP standard at awavelength of 1.064 μm (Nd: YAG). Both crystals possess nonlinear coefficients smaller than KDP (d ₃₆); they are phase matchable; magnesium barium fluoride exhibits a noncritical phase matching at a fundamental wavelenght of 1.04 μm.     

Thermal lens spectrometry in pyroelectric lithium niobate crystals

In this work, the light-induced lens effect due to thermal and/or photorefractive processes was studied in pyroelectric (undoped and Fe²⁺-doped) lithium niobate crystals (LiNbO₃) using thermal lens spectrometry with a two-beam (pump–probe) mode-mismatched configuration. The measurements were carried out at two pump beam wavelengths (514.5 and 750 nm) to establish a full understanding of the present effects in this material (thermal and/or photorefractive). We present an easy-to-implement method to determine quantitative values of the pyroelectric coefficient (dP _s/dT), its contribution to the thermal effect and other thermo-optical parameters like thermal diffusivity (D), thermal conductivity (K) and temperature coefficient of the optical path length change (ds/dT). These measurements were performed in LiNbO₃ and LiNbO₃:Fe (0.1 ppm Fe²⁺) crystals with c axis along the direction of laser propagation.     

A subnanosecond pulsed laser-source for mid-infrared LIDAR

A new subnanosecond pulsed laser-source for mid-infrared (MIR) LIDARbased on difference-frequency generation (DFG) in periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN) is developed. An output pulse energy of up to 36 pJ is achieved by amplification of the pump and signal laser. A pulse duration of Δτ=538 ps has been measured using silver thiogallate as a non-linear device for an upconversion cross correlation experiment. The mid-infrared pulse duration corresponds to a spatial resolution of Δs≈8 cm in the LIDAR system. PACS 07.07.Df; 42.60.Da; 42.65.Ky     

Periodic domain structures formed under electron-beam irradiation in LiNbO3 plates and Ti:LiNbO3 planar waveguides of the Y cut

Regular domain structures on the Y cuts of the LiNbO₃ substrates and Ti:LiNbO₃ waveguide structures based on these substrates have been fabricated under electron-beam irradiation. It has been revealed that the domains in undoped and titanium-doped LiNbO₃ crystals are formed as a result of different processes. It has been demonstrated using chemical etching and waveguide second-harmonic generation that regular domain structures in the Ti:LiNbO₃ waveguides are formed at a depth of approximately 8 μm from the surface, where the titanium concentration does not exceed 2 mol %. The quasi-synchronous waveguide optical second harmonic generation with an efficiency of 8.8% has been obtained using the fabricated structures.     

Wavelength-conversion type picosecond optical switching using a waveguide QPM-SHG/DFG device

We report picosecond all-optical switching in optical communication band using a LiNbO₃ waveguide quasi-phase matched second-harmonic generation/difference-frequency generation device. Analysis based on the beam propagation method showed that 1 ps switching with 3.1% efficiency is feasible with 10 W peak control pulse power. Switching efficiency of ?22 dB was demonstrated using control pulses of 10 ps width and 2 W peak power.