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Anderson S, Moriya PH, Caspani L, Hastie JE. Single-frequency optical parametric oscillator intracavity-pumped by a visible VECSEL for low-noise down-conversion to 1.55 µm. OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 32:4254-4266. [PMID: 38297630 DOI: 10.1364/oe.510807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a visible AlGaInP-based vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL). Tunable emission over 1155-1300 nm in the signal and 1474-1718 nm in the idler are observed by temperature adjustment of a 40 mm-long 5%-MgO:PPLN crystal intracavity-pumped at 690 nm. When optimized for low oscillation threshold, and by implementing resonant idler output-coupling (TOC = 1.7%), extracted output powers of 26.2 mW (signal) and 5.6 mW (idler; one-way) are measured, corresponding to a total down-conversion efficiency and extraction efficiency of 70.2% and 43%, respectively. Further, a total down-conversion efficiency of 72.1% is achieved in the absence of idler output-coupling. Of particular interest for high-precision applications, including quantum optics experiments and squeezed light generation, high stability and single-frequency operation are also demonstrated. We measure RMS stabilities of 0.4%, 1.8% and 2.3% for the VECSEL fundamental, signal and idler, with (resolution-limited) frequency linewidths of 2.5 MHz (VECSEL) and 7.5 MHz (signal and idler).
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Li Y, Ding Z, Liu P, Chen G, Zhang Z. Widely tunable, continuous-wave, intra-cavity optical parametric oscillator based on an Yb-doped fiber laser. OPTICS LETTERS 2018; 43:5391-5394. [PMID: 30383015 DOI: 10.1364/ol.43.005391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) intra-cavity pumped by an Yb-doped fiber laser. In comparison to an intra-cavity OPO based on a solid-state laser gain medium, the benefits of using a fiber-based scheme include a superior beam quality of the generated mid-infrared idler light at high power levels, a more efficient process of nonlinear frequency conversion, and the prospect of scaling to higher power. In a preliminary experiment, we obtained a slope efficiency of the down-converted power of as high as 66% with respect to the absorbed laser diode power. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an intra-cavity OPO based on a fiber laser.
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Optical Properties of KTP Crystals and Their Potential for Terahertz Generation. CRYSTALS 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst8080310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
High nonlinearity, wide transparency range and optical quality allowed potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO4, KTP) crystals to be used in a wide range of nonlinear applications. The success of KTP usage in the visible and infrared (IR) ranges drives interest in applying it at longer wavelengths, that is, in the terahertz (THz) range. We use THz optical properties of KTP crystals measured by terahertz time-domain spectrometer (THz-TDS) and refractive index approximated in the form of Sellmeier equations to investigate KTP application possibilities for IR-to-THz and THz-to-THz wave conversion. As a result, phase matching for s − f → f and s − f → s types of difference frequency generation (DFG) of Ti:Sapphire laser (at the wavelengths of 0.65, 0.8 and 1.1 µm) is found possible, as well as second harmonic generation (SHG) of THz waves by f + s→f type of interaction in the XZ principle plane of the crystal. Terahertz wave generation by phase-matched parametric processes in KTP demonstrates evident advantages in comparison with that of widely used MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystals.
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Ding Z, Liu P, Li Y, Zhang Z. Continuous-wave, singly-resonant, intracavity optical parametric oscillator based on a single-mode-laser-diode-pumped Yb:KYW laser. OPTICS LETTERS 2018; 43:2807-2810. [PMID: 29905694 DOI: 10.1364/ol.43.002807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report a continuous-wave (cw), intracavity, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (ICSRO) based on an Yb:KYW laser pumped by a single-mode laser diode (LD). Pumping the ICSRO by a low-noise single-mode LD, combined with the reduced heat generation due to the lower quantum defect of the Yb:KYW laser system, effectively eliminated the onset of relaxation oscillations, which have been a long-standing problem in previous multimode-LD-pumped ICSROs, and resulted in a cw ICSRO being operated free of relaxation oscillations. At an LD power of 515 mW, the generated idler power was 21 mW at ∼3500 nm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a single-mode-LD-pumped ICSRO.
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Herr SJ, Werner CS, Buse K, Breunig I. Quasi-phase-matched self-pumped optical parametric oscillation in a micro-resonator. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:10813-10819. [PMID: 29716012 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.010813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Lasing and self-pumped optical parametric oscillation (self-OPO) are achieved in a high-Q whispering-gallery-mode micro-resonator, made of neodymium-doped lithium niobate. A laser process providing 5 mW output power at 1.08 μm wavelength is sufficient to pump a self-OPO process within the same high-Q cavity. At 6 mW lasing output power, the sum of signal and idler output powers exceeds 1.2 mW. The wavelength of the generated light ranges from 1.5 to 3.8 μm. Phase matching is provided by a radial quasi-phase-matching structure, which is generated by a current-controlled calligraphic poling technique. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a quasi-phase-matched self-pumped nonlinear optical process in a micro-resonator, as well as the first self-OPO in a micro-resonator. The concept bears the potential for a highly integrated and wavelength-tunable coherent light source at low cost.
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A High-Power Continuous-Wave Mid-Infrared Optical Parametric Oscillator Module. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/app8010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Wang PH, Xuan Y, Fan L, Varghese LT, Wang J, Liu Y, Xue X, Leaird DE, Qi M, Weiner AM. Drop-port study of microresonator frequency combs: power transfer, spectra and time-domain characterization. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:22441-22452. [PMID: 24104133 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.022441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We use a drop-port geometry to characterize frequency combs generated from silicon nitride on-chip microresonators in the normal group velocity regime. In sharp contrast with the traditional transmission geometry, we observe smooth output spectra with comparable powers in the pump and adjacent comb lines. The power transfer into the comb may be explained to a large extent by the coupling parameters characterizing the linear operation of the resonances studied. Furthermore, comparison of thru- and drop-port spectra shows that much of the ASE noise is filtered out by transmission to the drop-port. Autocorrelation measurements are performed on the drop-port output, without the need to filter out or suppress the strong pump line as is necessary in thru-port experiments. Passively mode-locked pulses with low background are observed in a normal dispersion microcavity.
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Sheng Q, Ding X, Shang C, Li B, Fan C, Zhang H, Yu X, Wen W, Ma Y, Yao J. Continuous-wave intra-cavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator with resonant wave output coupling. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:27953-27958. [PMID: 23262741 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.027953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report herein the enhancement in both power and efficiency performance of a continuous-wave intra-cavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (ICSRO) by introducing finite resonant wave output coupling. While coupling out the resonant wave to useful output, the output coupling increases the SRO threshold properly thus suppresses the back-conversion under high pump power. Therefore, the down-conversion efficiency is maintained under high pump without having to raise the threshold by defocusing. With a T = 9.6% signal wave output coupler used, the SRO threshold is 2.46 W and the down-conversion efficiency is 72.9% under the maximum pump power of 21.4 W. 1.43 W idler power at 3.66 μm and 5.03 W signal power at 1.5 μm are obtained, corresponding to a total extraction efficiency of 30.2%. The resonant wave out coupling significantly levels up the upper limit for the power range where the ICSRO exhibits high efficiency, without impeding its advantage of low threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Sheng
- College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Institute of Laser and Opto-electronics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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Siltanen M, Leinonen T, Halonen L. Decreased oscillation threshold of a continuous-wave OPO using a semiconductor gain mirror. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19:19675-19680. [PMID: 21996909 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.019675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We have constructed a singly resonant, continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator, where the signal beam resonates and is amplified by a semiconductor gain mirror. The gain mirror can significantly decrease the oscillation threshold compared to an identical system with conventional mirrors. The largest idler beam tuning range reached by changing the pump laser wavelength alone is from 3.6 to 4.7 µm. The single mode output power is limited but can be continuously scanned for at least 220 GHz by adding optical components in the oscillator cavity for increased stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Siltanen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Stothard DJM, Dunn MH. Relaxation oscillation suppression in continuous-wave intracavity optical parametric oscillators. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18:1336-1348. [PMID: 20173961 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.001336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report a solution to the long standing problem of the occurrence of spontaneous and long-lived bursts of relaxation oscillations which occur when a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator is operated within the cavity of the parent pump-laser. By placing a second nonlinear crystal within the pump-wave cavity for the purpose of second-harmonic-generation of the pump-wave the additional nonlinear loss thereby arising due to up-conversion effectively suppresses the relaxation oscillations with very little reduction in down-converted power.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J M Stothard
- The J. F. Allen Physics Laboratories, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, Fife, U.K.
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Stothard DJM, Hopkins JM, Burns D, Dunn MH. Stable, continuous-wave, intracavity, optical parametric oscillator pumped by a semiconductor disk laser (VECSEL). OPTICS EXPRESS 2009; 17:10648-10658. [PMID: 19550461 DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.010648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We report relaxation oscillation free, true continuous-wave operation of a singly-resonant, intracavity optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based upon periodically-poled, MgO-doped LiNbO3 and pumped internal to the cavity of a compact, optically-excited semiconductor disk laser (or VECSEL). The very short upper-laser-state lifetime of this laser gain medium, coupled with the enhancing effect of the high-finesse pump laser cavity in which the OPO is located, enables a low threshold, high efficiency intracavity device to be operated free of relaxation oscillations in continuous-wave mode. By optimizing for low-power operation, parametric threshold was achieved at a diode-laser power of only 1.4 W. At 8.5 W of diode-laser power, 205 mW of idler power was extracted, indicating a total down-converted power of 1.25 W, and hence a down-conversion efficiency of 83%.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J M Stothard
- School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, UK.
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Abitan H, Buchhave P. Continuous-wave singly resonant optical parametric oscillator placed inside a ring laser. APPLIED OPTICS 2003; 42:6630-6635. [PMID: 14658464 DOI: 10.1364/ao.42.006630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A cw singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO) was built and placed inside the cavity of a ring laser. The system consists of a diode-end-pumped Nd:YVO4 ring laser with intracavity periodically poled lithium niobate as the nonlinear gain medium of the SRO. When the laser was operated in a unidirectional mode, we obtained more than 520 mW of signal power in one beam. When the laser was operated in a bidirectional mode, we obtained 600 mW of signal power (300 mW in two separate beams). The power and the spectral features of the laser in the unidirectional and bidirectional modes were measured while the laser was coupled with the SRO. The results show that it is preferable to couple a SRO with a unidirectional ring laser.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haim Abitan
- Department of Physics, Denmark Technical University, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
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Strössner U, Peters A, Mlynek J, Schiller S, Meyn JP, Wallenstein R. Single-frequency continuous-wave radiation from 0.77 to 1.73 microm generated by a green-pumped optical parametric oscillator with periodically poled LiTaO3. OPTICS LETTERS 1999; 24:1602-1604. [PMID: 18079877 DOI: 10.1364/ol.24.001602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We describe a cw optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with multigrating periodically poled LiTaO(3) . Pumped by a single-frequency 532-nm laser, the OPO emits single-frequency radiation at wavelengths from 0.77 to 1.73 microm with as much as 60 mW of output power. Mode-hop-free operation for as long as 50 min, a low frequency drift (<70 MHz/h), and as much as 700-MHz continuous frequency tuning of signal and idler are demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Strössner
- Fakultät für Physik and Optik-Zentrum Konstanz, Universität Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Stothard DJ, Ebrahimzadeh M, Dunn MH. Low-pump-threshold continuous-wave singly resonant optical parametric oscillator. OPTICS LETTERS 1998; 23:1895-1897. [PMID: 18091947 DOI: 10.1364/ol.23.001895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We describe a compact all-solid-state continuous-wave singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO) with a minimal pump-power requirement. The SRO is based on periodically poled LiNbO(3) as the nonlinear material and is pumped by a 1-W diode-pumped Nd:YVO(4) minilaser at 1.064 microm . By exploiting the intracavity pumping technique in a 50-mm crystal, we have achieved SRO operation threshold at a diode pump power of only 310 mW.At 1 W of input diode power, the SRO delivers 70 mW of output power in the nonresonant idler at 3.66 microm , at a photon conversion efficiency of 55%. Multiparameter tuning of the SRO yields a signal wavelength range from 1.45 to 1.60 microm and an idler wavelength range from 3.16 to 4.02 microm in the mid infrared. The device is characterized by robust turnkey operation and long-term amplitude-stable performance.
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Edwards TJ, Turnbull GA, Dunn MH, Ebrahimzadeh M, Karlsson H, Arvidsson G, Laurell F. Continuous-wave singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO(4). OPTICS LETTERS 1998; 23:837-839. [PMID: 18087358 DOI: 10.1364/ol.23.000837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We report a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO(4) (PPRTA). The singly resonant OPO, which is located within a Ti:sapphire laser, has a high-finesse signal cavity and delivers a maximum output power of 270 mW to the nonresonant idler wave at 2.92mum , through a 4.5-mm PPRTA crystal. For room-temperature operation and a crystal with a 30-mu;m grating period, pump tuning over 838-848 nm results in OPO tuning over 1.13-1.27mum (signal) and 2.53-3.26mum (idler), limited by the bandwidth of optical coatings. PPRTA exhibits thermal properties superior to those of periodically poled LiNbO(3) .
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Gibson GM, Dunn MH, Padgett MJ. Application of a continuously tunable, cw optical parametric oscillator for high-resolution spectroscopy. OPTICS LETTERS 1998; 23:40-42. [PMID: 18084405 DOI: 10.1364/ol.23.000040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We report the use of a smoothly tunable, single-frequency continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) for high-resolution spectroscopy. The OPO is based on potassium titanyl phosphate and is resonant for both signal and idler fields, resulting in a device with a very low pump power threshold of 30 mW. The frequency-selective nature of the doubly resonant oscillator ensures that the signal and idler modes can be tuned across the entire phase-match bandwidth without the need for additional intracavity frequency-selective components. Smooth frequency tuning of the output of the OPO is obtained by tuning of the pump laser. To demonstrate the practicality of our OPO we recorded the absorption spectrum of cesium vapor in the 1-microm spectral region.
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