Nonlinear frequency conversion of copper vapor laser radiation using convergent and parallel laser beams

Results of experiments are presented on the comparison of the efficiency of radiation generation at the sum frequency (λ=0.271 μm) of copper vapor laser (CVL) in a nonlinear DKDP crystal using either convergent or parallel laser beam. An intensity of UV radiation of 0.34 W and a conversion efficiency of 6% obtained under conditions of strong focusing occur to be substantially lower as compared to those obtained using a parallel laser beam of the same power (0.73 W and 12%, respectively). Experimental data on the structure of a CVL beam generated with an unstable resonator are presented, and physical reasons for the limitation of the efficiency of nonlinear frequency conversion are analyzed.