Cylindrical KTiOPO(4) crystal for enhanced angular tunability of phase-matched optical parametric oscillators

We demonstrate what is to our knowledge the first optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a cylindrical phase-matched nonlinear crystal. Experiments are performed with an uncoated KTiOPO(4) crystal cut as a cylinder with a diameter of 21.2 mm and a thickness of 5 mm. We achieve 20.5-internal-degree angular tuning in a 1064-nm-pumped type III OPO, which would correspond to ~36 degrees external angular rotation for a parallelepipedal crystal. The goals of using such a device are to narrow the spectral width of the output and to enhance the spatial quality of the generated beams in widely tunable OPO's.     

Infrared reflectivity spectrum of KTiOPO4 single crystal

The kinetic theory of overlapping phase transformations is a valuable tool in the characterization of diffusion-controlled precipitation reactions. Using this approach, one can obtain the kinetic parameters (n,?k) for simultaneous diffusion-controlled precipitation reactions, based on the knowledge of a specific macroscopic parameter, P(t), chosen to study the ongoing reaction. Both large and small process overlaps are considered. This methodology calculates the kinetic parameters for defined intervals of the fraction-transformed curve rather than for the entire curve. The approach used in this study permits an evaluation of which are the best protocols for the precipitate nucleation and growth rates during tempering reactions in low-alloy steel, whereas an analysis of the total combined transformations data set could lead to erroneous conclusions.     

Third-harmonic generation by cascading second-order nonlinear processes in a cerium-doped KTiOPO4 crystal

We have achieved effective third-harmonic generation (THG) by cascading second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation in a single cerium-doped KTiOPO (4) crystal by using femtosecond laser pulses at 1.32 microm. A conversion efficiency of 0.17% was achieved with an average pump power of 35 mW.Furthermore, a unique quadratic power dependence for this type of THG was confirmed. We developed a theory and obtained an analytical solution for the THG.The solution exactly describes the measured characteristics of the THG.     

3 dB squeezing by single-pass parametric amplification in a periodically poled KTiOPO4 crystal

We present the experimental observation of pulsed squeezed light from a degenerate optical parametric amplifier pumped by a second harmonic of a continuous-wave mode-locked Nd:YVO4 laser. With a single pass through a 10 mm long periodically poled KTiOPO4 crystal, the classical parametric gain of 11 is observed. The measured noise reduction in the quiet quadrature is 3.2 dB below the shot-noise level.     

Efficient third-harmonic generation in partly periodically poled KTiOPO(4) crystal

A partly periodically poled KTiOPO(4) (KTP) crystal has been designed to integrate quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation (QPM SHG) with sum-frequency generation in one crystal for generating a third-harmonic beam. The highest conversion efficiencies of 45% and 3% have been achieved in our experiments for QPM SHG and third-harmonic generation, respectively, by use of picosecond laser pulses at 1.327 microm . We have also discovered that periodically poled KTP has slightly different indices (n(z)) from bulk KTP.     

Polarized spectral properties of Nd3+ ions in CaYAlO4 crystal

Nd:CaYAlO₄ single crystal has been grown by the Czochralski technique. The cell parameters were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The polarized absorption spectra, the polarized fluorescence spectra, and the fluorescence decay curve of the crystal were measured at room temperature. The spectroscopic parameters were determined by Judd–Ofelt theory and Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg formula. The effective intensity parameters Ω ₂, Ω ₄, and Ω ₆ were obtained to be 2.19, 8.16, and 8.57×10^?20 cm², respectively. The calculated radiative probabilities, branching ratios, and radiative lifetime were also evaluated for the ⁴F_3/2 excited state using the calculated intensity parameters. The results indicate Nd:CaYAlO₄ has potential as a laser gain medium for ultrashort laser system.     

High-efficiency parametric oscillation and spectral control in the red spectral region with periodically poled KTiOPO(4)

Narrow-linewidth optical pulses at wavelengths near 630 nm with 2.2-mJ energy were generated with 61% efficiency in a periodically poled KTiOPO(4) parametric oscillator pumped by a frequency-doubled Q -switched Nd:YAG laser. The tuning range was extended to 30 nm by a noncollinear elliptical pumping geometry. We demonstrate that by angular dispersion a noncollinear optical parametric oscillator can be used to control the spectral and spatial characteristics of the output signal beam.     

Generation of squeezed TEM01 modes with periodically poled KTiOPO4 crystal

Spatial quantum optics and quantum information based on the high order transverse mode are of importance for the super-resolution measurement beyond the quantum noise level. We demonstrated experimentally the transverse plane TEM01 Hermite-Gauss quantum squeezing. The squeezed TEM01 mode is generated in a degenerate optical parametric amplifier with the nonlinear crystal of periodically poled KTiOPO4. The level of 2.2-dB squeezing is measured using a spatial balance homodyne detection system.     

利用周期性极化KTiOPO4晶体参量缩小过程产生明亮振幅压缩光

利用周期性极化KTiOPO4晶体构成的连续准相位匹配简并光学参量缩小谐振腔,获得了注入红外的明亮正交振幅压缩光.参量振荡阈值为35 mW.当抽运光功率为20mW时,测得压缩度为2.23dB,特别是当抽运光功率为8mW时,测得压缩度为2.17dB.     

基于周期极化KTiOPO4晶体的高亮度纠缠源研制

量子纠缠是量子信息领域的核心资源,目前利用β型硼酸钡(BBO)晶体参量下转换制备的纠缠光子对的亮度较低,它直接制约了量子通信的最远距离,已无法满足星地实用化量子通信的发展需求.利用周期极化KTiOPO4晶体,采用准相位匹配技术设计产生了一种后选择的纠缠源,测得的符合计数达到了16×103s-1 mW-1,极化对比度达到27∶1,在亮度上比基于BBO的量子纠缠光源提高了一个数量级以上.这一高亮度的纠缠源可以广泛应用于量子密钥分发、量子隐形传态以及量子计算等新兴量子信息领域,为实现全球化量子通信提供了有力的保障.     

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.     

Growth and spectral properties of Nd:GdVO4 laser crystal

In this paper, the Czochralski growth, absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra of Nd:GdVO₄ crystals are studied. From its absorption spectra, Nd:GdVO₄ is found to exhibit an anisotropic optical absorption effect, and its effective Judd-Ofelt parameters are calculated: Ω₂=10.281×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=5.426×10⁻²⁰ cm² and Ω₆=9.943×10⁻²⁰ cm². By these parameters, the absorption oscillator strengths, emission oscillator strengths, transition probabilities, fluorescence branch ratios, energy lifetimes, and integrated emission cross-sections are also derived. The photoluminescence spectra of Nd:GdVO₄ crystal consist of a wide emission band of host and the characteristic emission bands of Nd³⁺. Based on the excitation spectrum, both the two evident peaks locating at 345 and 371 nm are ascribed to the characteristic excitation of Nd³⁺, and an energy transfer from the host to its doping Nd³⁺ ions is indicated.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectral and thermal properties of 4-dimethylaminopyridinium salicylate monohydrate

4-dimethylaminopyridinium salicylate monohydrate (DMAPSA) was synthesized and its crystal structure was determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. From the crystal structure analysis it can be inferred that the crystal belongs to monoclinic system with space group of P2₁/n. Investigation has been carried out to assign the vibrational frequencies of the grown crystals by FTIR spectral studies. ¹H and ¹³C FT–NMR has been recorded to elucidate the molecular structure. The molecular mass of DMAPSA has been measured using mass spectroscopic analysis. The thermal stability and thermal decomposition of DMAPSA have been investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The melting point of crystal was observed as 172 °C by melting point apparatus. Fluorescence spectra were taken for the excitation wavelength of 240 nm.     

Widely and continuously tunable optical parametric oscillator based on a cylindrical periodically poled KTiOPO(4) crystal

We report on what is to our knowledge the first realization of a quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a crystal with a cylindrical shape. The main reason for interest in this device is its broad, continuous tuning. In experiments with a 1064-nm pump, the signal tuning range was equal to 525 nm (1515-2040 nm), and the corresponding idler was continuously tuned over 1340 nm (2220-3560 nm). The angular tuning was 26 degrees , with only a minor variation of the OPO threshold over the entire tuning range.     

Measurement of the spectral properties of the two-photon state generated via type II spontaneous parametric downconversion

We report complete measurement of the spectral properties of photon pairs generated via spontaneous parametric downconversion. The measurements, which include not only single-photon spectra but also two-photon joint spectra, were performed for both cw and ultrafast-pumping configurations. In agreement with theoretical predictions, the spectra for the ultrafast-pumped case reveal asymmetries that are not present with cw pumping.     

Theoretical analysis of noncollinear phase-matched optical parametric generation in BBO crystal

In this article we propose a theoretical treatment of noncollinear phase-matched femtosecond parametric interaction process pumped by ultrashort optical pulses, and investigated the pulse characteristics of OPG in BBO crystal. The results show that the major factors, which affect the optical parametric conversion coefficient and durations of the pulses, are the group velocity mismatch and the phase mismatch among the three ultra-short pulses. In addition, the material dispersion can cause the durations of the pulses to increase when pump pulse is below 20 fs, and its influence becomes more obvious at low pump intensity.     

Growth and spectral properties of Tm3+-doped NaGd(WO4)2 crystal

Thulium doped sodium gadolinium tungstate crystals with sizes of about 20 mm×45 mm were grown successfully by the Czochralski technique along the (001) orientation. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) of sodium gadolinium tungstate was described and the linear thermal expansion coefficients for the c- and a-axes were measured as 1.60×10^-5 and 7.89×10^-6 °C^-1. Polarized absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra, as well as fluorescence decay curves of Tm³⁺-doped NaGd(WO₄)₂, have been recorded at room temperature and used to calculate the absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections. Based on the Judd–Ofelt theory, three intensity parameters were obtained. The luminescent quantum efficiency of the ³ H ₄ level was determined to be approximately 65% for this material. The emission cross-section of the ³ F ₄→³ H ₆ IR transition at about 1.8 μm was estimated by the reciprocity method. PACS 78.55.Hx; 65.40.De; 78.20.-e