Application of a continuously tunable, cw optical parametric oscillator for high-resolution spectroscopy

Yb-fiber laser pumped high-power, broadly tunable, single-frequency red source based on a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator

We present an efficient and tunable source generating multi-watt single-frequency red radiation by intra-cavity frequency doubling of the signal in a MgO-doped periodically poled LiNbO₃ (MgO:PPLN)-based singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO). By optimally designing the SRO cavity in a six-mirror configuration, we generate ≈276  nm tunable idler radiation in mid-infrared with a maximum power of P_i=2.05  W at a pump power of P_p=14.0  W. The resonant signal is frequency doubled using a 10 mm-long BiB₃O₆ (BiBO) crystal which resulted in tunability of a red beam from ≈753 to 780 nm band with maximum power P_r≈4.0  W recorded at λ_r≈756  nm. The deployment of a six-mirror SRO ensures single-frequency generation of red across the entire tuning range by inducing additional losses to Raman modes of LiNbO₃ and, thus, inhibiting their oscillation. Using a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI), nominal linewidth of the red beam is measured to ≈3  MHz which changes marginally over the entire tuning range. Long-term (over 1 h) peak-to-peak frequency fluctuation of the generated red beam is estimated to be about 3.3 GHz under free-running conditions at P_p=14.0  W. The generated red beam is delivered in a TEM₀₀ mode profile with M²≤1.32 at maximum power in a red beam.

Stable, continuous-wave, intracavity, optical parametric oscillator pumped by a semiconductor disk laser (VECSEL)

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%.

Tunable continuous-wave doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator by use of a semimonolithic KTP crystal

A temperature-tuned continuous-wave doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) consisting of a semimonolithic KTP crystal and a concave mirror has been designed and built. Under single-axial-mode-pair operation, we obtained a combined output power of the signal and idler light fields up to 365 mW at a pump power of 680 mW. The output wavelength of the OPO can be temperature tuned by as much as 9 nm. We achieved 2.8-GHz continuous frequency tuning of the OPO by tuning the pump laser frequency.

High-resolution Doppler-free molecular spectroscopy with a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator

We present a reliable, narrow-linewidth (100-kHz) continous-wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) suitable for high-resolution spectroscopy applications. The singly resonant OPO with a resonated pump is based on periodically poled lithium niobate crystal and features a specially designed intracavity etalon, which permits precise tuning to any desired wavelength in a wide range. We demonstrate Doppler-free spectroscopy of a rovibrational transition of methane at 3.39 mum.

All-solid-state, tunable, single-frequency source of yellow light for high-resolution spectroscopy

We demonstrate a cw doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator that is frequency doubled in an external resonant cavity to the visible spectral range. We obtained single-frequency radiation in the range 565-590 nm with as much as 3.8 mW of power, which is continuously tunable over an 18-GHz range and step tunable over 160 GHz. The source is well suited for high-resolution spectroscopy in the visible region. As a demonstration, we performed persistent hyperfine spectral hole-burning spectroscopy of Eu(3+): Y(2)SiO(5) . Reliable operation of the source permitted studies of the hole's lifetime over several hours.

Stable, continuously tunable operation of a diode-pumped doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator

We demonstrate, for what is the first time to our knowledge, long-term stable, continuously tunable operation of a doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a single-stripe diode laser without the use of an external semiconductor amplifier. The OPO is based on periodically poled lithium niobate and is pumped by a 150-mW distributed Bragg grating diode laser. 18-mW total output power is generated at 1.3- and 2.3-mum wavelengths. A cavity-length servo system allows continuous signal tuning of 17 GHz and idler tuning of 10 GHz, limited only by the range of a piezoelectric cavity mirror mount. OPO tuning is demonstrated from 1.1 to 1.4 mum and from 2.2 to 3.7 mum.

Diode-pumped singly resonant continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator with wide continuous tuning of the near-infrared idler wave

We demonstrate wide, continuous tuning of the single-frequency idler wave of a cw singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO). The SRO consists of a periodically poled LiNbO(3) crystal for quasi-phase matching in a four-mirror signal-resonant ring cavity. The SRO, excited by 2.25 W of 924-nm radiation from an InGaAs diode laser, generates as much as 200 mW of single-frequency 2.1-mum idler radiation. We tune the idler frequency continuously within a range as large as 56 GHz by changing the wavelength of the diode pump laser. The versatility of this continuously tunable single-frequency infrared source is demonstrated by recording of N(2)O rovibrational absorption lines near 2.1 mum.

Extended mode-hop-free tuning by use of a dual-cavity, pump-enhanced optical parametric oscillator

We report extended mode-hop-free tuning in a continuous-wave, pump-enhanced optical parametric oscillator (PE-OPO). We employ a dual-cavity configuration to allow independent control of the resonant pump and signal fields, and so we can suppress frequent mode hops in the signal as the pump is tuned in frequency. With the signal field clamped in frequency by an uncoated etalon, the idler field can be scanned smoothly through a range of 10.8 GHz. The PE-OPO outputs can also be tuned coarsely from 1.01 to 1.18 mum in the signal and from 2.71 to 3.26 mum and 4.07 to 5.26 mum in the idler. We find that increased idler absorption only slightly increases the oscillation threshold.

Parametric Generation of Tunable Light from Continuous-Wave to Femtosecond Pulses

By exploiting nonlinear optical effects, a technology of unprecedented flexibility for the production of tunable coherent light has been developed. Referred to as optical parametric generation, it provides sources with spectral coverage extending all the way from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared, and with temporal coverage extending over all time domains from the femtosecond pulse to the continuous wave. Such sources generate coherent light of outstanding optical quality and are now finding wide-ranging applications.

Microchip laser-pumped continuous-wave doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator

We report what we believe to be the first use of a multilongitudinal-mode frequency-doubled microchip laser to pump a doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO). This compact OPO is based on potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) and operates with a low pump power threshold of 35 mW. The OPO output consists of a single pair of signal and idler modes even though it is pumped with a multilongitudinal-mode pump laser. We achieved smooth tuning (1.7 GHz) of the output frequencies by temperature tuning of the pump laser.