Broadening of the second-harmonic phase-matching bandwidth in type II periodically poled KTP

We have theoretically demonstrated type II broadband second-harmonic generation (SHG) based on a quasi-phase-matching (QPM) configuration in periodically poled KTP (PPKTP). The wavelength dependence of QPM grating periods at different temperatures of 5 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 45 degrees C is calculated with the crystal length of 1 cm. We find a very wide bandwidth, as large as 42.6 nm, of fundamental wavelength of 1.58 microm at the telecommunication band with the QPM period of 48.9 microm at 25 degrees C. The corresponding bandwidths of incident angle and temperature are found to be 4.24 degrees and 14.8 degrees C, respectively. The comparison among PPKTP, periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN), and MgO:PPLN reveals the unique performance of PPKTP in the broadband SHG.     

Flat broadband wavelength conversion based on cascaded second-harmonic generation and difference frequency generation in segmented quasi-phase matched gratings

Bandwidth enhancement and response flattening of wavelength conversion based on single-pass and double-pass cascaded second harmonic generation and difference frequency generation were investigated in segmented quasi-phase matched (QPM) gratings. It is shown that the signal and pump bandwidths are both efficiently widened by increasing the segment number of the QPM grating and optimising the poling period of each segment. The ripple on the matching response is also very small. The conversion bandwidth in a 3-cm-long three-segment waveguide reaches 150–160?nm, which is over the whole conventional band and long-wavelength band. Larger signal bandwidth can be obtained with a little response flatness penalty and conversion efficiency penalty, which can be compensated by increasing the input pump power. Compared with a sinusoidally chirped optical superlattice device, a wavelength converter based on the segmented gratings has higher conversion efficiency, broader bandwidth and better pump-wavelength tolerance, and is easier to fabricate in practice.     

Modeling of difference frequency radiation energy redistribution process in a spectrum of laser pulse of a few optical cycles propagating in a quasi-phase-matching GaAs crystal

We present the results of a numerical study of the generation process of difference frequency radiation (DFR) arising via the interaction of mutually orthogonal linearly- polarized few-cycle laser pulses propagating in a quasi-phase-matching (QPM) GaAs crystal. Considered the interaction of pulses having the central wavelengths of 1.98 µm, duration of 30 fs with the electric field amplitude 200 MV/m, propagating along the normal to the ?110? plane. The period Λ of the QPM GaAs crystal in numerical simulations varied from 20.89 µm to 53.23 µm. It is shown that by changing the grating period of the QPM GaAs crystal from 23.02 µm to 37.29 µm it is possible to improve the efficiency of QPM generation of DFR in the 5.48 µm – 10.12 µm spectral range at least by 8 dB in comparison with the generation of DFR in bulk crystal GaAs in the same spectral range.     

Periodically domain-inverted LiNbO3 for waveguide quasi-phase matched nonlinear optic wavelength conversion devices

The authors’ work on LiNbO₃ waveguide quasi-phase matched nonlinear optic wavelength conversion devices is reviewed. The requirements of domain-inverted gratings for efficient wavelength conversions are shown by theoretical analysis of the device performances. The fabrication apparatus of the domain-inverted gratings is described, and it is shown that the fabricated gratings satisfy the requirements. A variety of LiNbO₃ waveguide quasi-phase matched (QPM) wavelength conversion devices were fabricated and examined. Second-harmonic green/blue/ultraviolet light generation with normalized conversion efficiencies of ∼ 100%/W, third-harmonic generation by cascading second-harmonic generation and sum-frequency generation, and difference-frequency generation for wavelength conversion in infrared wavelength range are demonstrated.     

Second harmonic generation of pseudo mode-locked multi ten milliwatt picosecond Ti:sapphire laser

We report the single-pass second harmonic generation (SHG) of the picosecond Ti:sapphire laser with a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. We demonstrate a conversion efficiency of 37% for the 9-mW fundamental input power at 820 nm. This laser source can provide three types of pulsed modes such as picosecond, nanosecond, and contiuous wave, by adjusting the power of the pumping source. We compare the conversion efficiency in each mode, and clearly show that SHG efficiency depends on the pulsewidth, that is, the peak power of the laser source. As the temperature of the PPLN rises, the fundamental wavelength for phase-matching becomes longer. We indicate that the rate is about 0.06 nm/K.     

Second harmonic generation of pseudo mode-locked multi ten milliwatt picosecond Ti:sapphire laser

We report the single-pass second harmonic generation (SHG) of the picosecond Ti:sapphire laser with a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide. We demonstrate a conversion efficiency of 37% for the 9-mW fundamental input power at 820 nm. This laser source can provide three types of pulsed modes such as picosecond, nanosecond, and contiuous wave, by adjusting the power of the pumping source. We compare the conversion efficiency in each mode, and clearly show that SHG efficiency depends on the pulsewidth, that is, the peak power of the laser source. As the temperature of the PPLN rises, the fundamental wavelength for phase-matching becomes longer. We indicate that the rate is about 0.06 nm/K.     

All-optical isolator under arbitrary linearly polarized fundamental wave in an optical superlattice

We theoretically investigate an all-optical isolator under arbitrary linearly polarized fundamental wave (FW) input in an optical superlattice (OSL). The scheme is based on simultaneously phase matching the first-order Type I (oo-e) quasi-phase-matching (QPM) second-harmonic generation (SHG) process and higher-order Type 0 (ee-e) QPM SHG process in an OSL with a defect inserted in an asymmetrical position. Simulation results show that the contrast ratio of the all-optical isolator can maintain close to 1 under arbitrary linearly polarized FW. Thus, an all-optical isolator based on an OSL that is not sensitive to the direction of linear polarization can be realized. We also show that, with the defect in a strong asymmetry position, the length of the defect can be designed flexibly to maintain a high contrast ratio. Additionally, if the length of the OSL is longer, the nonreciprocal response can be realized for low optical intensities.     

Control of spin angular momentum in quasi-phase-matched material

A method to control spin angular momentum (SAM), based on mutual effects of a electro-optic effect and a quasi-phase-matched (QPM) technique in QPM material, is proposed. By controlling the external electric field or operating wavelength, the transfer between left- and right-handed circularly polarized photons is achieved, thus the total SAM is manipulated. The external electric field needed in this method for the complete modulation of the total SAM per photon from 0 to ? is as low as 0.44 kV/cm. This method will see its applications in micromanipulation by light.     

β-BaTeMo2O9 microcrystals as promising optically operated materials

Studies of optical second harmonic generation (SHG) at fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm under photoinducing treatment of monoclinic piezoelectric β-BaTeMo₂O₉ (β-BTMO) were done. Continuous wave (CW) lasers generating at 808 and 1040 nm were used as photoinducing sources. The investigations were performed for the β-BTMO microcrystalline powder samples with grain sizes varying within the 25–300 μm range. We showed that depending on the microcrystallites size, the photoinduced changes of the SHG were substantially different depending on number of defects which were controlled by positron annihilation. The photoinduced SHG efficiency was substantially higher for more defective crystallites. The processes are completely reversible; however, their photoinduced time kinetics is very sensitive to the wavelength of the photoinducing CW laser beam. The possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed within a framework of intrinsic defect trapping levels and their interactions with phonon subsystem.     

Soliton self-frequency shift effects in photonic crystal fibre

Using a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser operating at a wavelength of 810nm we have demonstrated infrared generation in photonic crystal fibre at distinct wavelengths which can be attributed to the soliton self-frequency shift effect. The maximum observed shift produced spectra centred at 1260nm and the frequency-shifted light accounted for up to 80% of the fibre output power. We show that the shifts can be explained by the dispersion properties of the fundamental and higher-order waveguide modes of the fibre.     

Type II quasi-phase-matched sum-frequency mixing of diode lasers in KTiOPO4 with broad spectral and temperature acceptance bandwidths

A 1500-nm-band laser signal is upconverted to the mid-visible part of the spectrum by quasi-phase matched, sum-frequency generation with an 800-nm-band laser pump in a periodically poled KTiOPO4. For an appropriate combination of the two fundamental wavelengths, an acceptance bandwidth of 40-60 nm cm for the pump wavelength is attainable simultaneously with a temperature acceptance bandwidth of 60-70 degrees C cm in an angularly noncritical condition. Using a distributed feedback laser at 1590 nm and a Fabry-Perot laser at 807 nm, we demonstrate a temperature tolerance as large as 60 degrees C with a 10-mm-long crystal.     

Determination of type I phase matching angles and conversion efficiency in KTP

Measurements of the conversion efficiency of second-harmonic generation in KTP (KTiOPO(4)) by the use of type I phase matching for different fundamental wavelengths of a mode-locked picosecond Ti:sapphire laser are presented. The observed phase matching angles are in agreement with the calculated phase matching curves. At a fundamental wavelength of 834 nm and an intensity of 100 MW/cm(2) the conversion efficiency is 4% at maximum, and the corresponding effective nonlinear coefficient d(eff) is equal to 0.32 pm/V. The experimental values of d(eff) are related to d(11) (= 0.46 pm/V) of quartz and are in line with the predictions.     

高强度超短脉冲单块BBO晶体的三倍频研究

对高强度超短脉冲单块BBO晶体产生三倍频的过程进行了理论及实验研究.定量分析入射基频光强度、晶体厚度、晶体失谐角和方位角等因素对三倍频光转换效率和时间波形的影响,并对实验参数进行了优化.针对脉冲宽度100 fs、带宽25nm、中心波长810 nm、能量为6 mJ左右的超短脉冲基频光,采用单块BBO晶体开展了三倍频实验研究,获得了0.8%的三倍频转换效率,并对实验结果进行了分析.在此基础上,进一步提出了提高单块BBO晶体超短脉冲三倍频转换效率的改进措施.     

All-fiber quasi-continuous wave supercontinuum generation in single-mode high-nonlinear fiber pumped by submicrosecond pulse with low peak power

We demonstrate quasi-continuous wave supercontinuum generation in a single-mode high-nonlinear fiber (HNLF) in 1.55 μm band, which is pumped by the amplified passively Q-switched submicrosecond pulse. The pump wavelength is in the normal dispersion region of HNLF and near to the zero-dispersion wavelength. The broad SC spectral range from 1200 to 2260 nm is obtained with the low pump peak power of 17.8 W. The 20 dB bandwidth of 922 nm from 1285 to 2207 nm is obtained with the assumption that the peak near 1560 nm is filtered. The spectrum density for the 20 dB bandwidth is from -27.5 to -7.5 dbm/nm.     

Infrared-ultraviolet sum-frequency generation spectrometer with a wide tunability of the ultraviolet probe

We have constructed a multiplex infrared-ultraviolet (IR-UV) sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectrometer that has a wide tunable range (235-390 nm) of the UV probe wavelength. The tunable UV probe was obtained by doubling the signal output of an optical parametric amplifier pumped by a 400 nm picosecond pulse. A prism monochromator was used as a tunable sharp-cut bandpass filter to reduce stray light due to the scattering of the UV probe so that any wavelength within the tunable range can be chosen as that of the UV probe. The SFG spectra of p-mercaptobenzoic acid on a gold substrate was measured with 289 and 334 nm UV probes. The SFG vibrational band intensities due to the carbonyl stretch mode and a phenyl ring stretch mode measured with the 289 nm probe were approximately three times larger than those measured with the 334 nm probe. The enhancement was ascribed to an electronic resonant effect.     

Fundamental characteristics of a synthesized light source for optical coherence tomography

We describe the fundamental characteristics of a synthesized light source (SLS) consisting of two low-coherence light sources to enhance the spatial resolution for optical coherence tomography (OCT). The axial resolution of OCT is given by half the coherence length of the light source. We fabricated a SLS with a coherence length of 2.3 microm and a side-lobe intensity of 45% with an intensity ratio of LED1:LED2 = 1:0.5 by combining two light sources, LED1, with a central wavelength of 691 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 99 nm, and LED2, with a central wavelength of 882 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 76 nm. The coherence length of 2.3 microm was 56% of the shorter coherence length in the two LEDs, which indicates that the axial resolution is 1.2 microm. The lateral resolution was measured at less than 4.4 microm by use of the phase-shift method and with a test pattern as a sample. The measured rough surfaces of a coin are illustrated and discussed.     

High-power 457-nm light source by frequency doubling of an amplified diode laser

We demonstrate the generation of 150-mW blue coherent single-mode radiation at 457 nm in a compact and inexpensive setup. The light is generated by frequency doubling the radiation of a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system in an enhancement cavity with a potassium niobate (KNbO3) crystal. The MOPA consists of a 914-nm single-mode diode laser and a broad-area diode laser (BAL) as the amplifier. The BAL is a multimode laser with a specified wavelength of 938 nm. Sufficient gain at 914 nm is obtained by antireflection coating the BAL front surface and by cooling it to -10 degrees C.     

Intracavity testing of KTiOPO4 crystals for second-harmonic generation at 532 nm

We have developed a diode-pumped Nd:YVO(4) cw laser for testing KTiOPO(4) crystals designed for intracavity second-harmonic generation at 532 nm. We demonstrate that this source is extremely sensitive to defects inside the crystal, inducing losses at 1064 nm and an index mismatch between fundamental and harmonic waves.     

Second-order optical effects in seed-mediated grown palladium nanoparticles

Palladium nanoparticles deposited on SnO₂-doped In₂O₃ substrate show substantial optical second harmonic generation (SHG) in the spectral range (λ?=?120–160?nm) which is a part of the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectrum. A single crystalline Li₂ B₄ O₇ optical parametric generator (OPG) pumped by nanosecond xenon–fluorine excimer laser (EMG 500/218 (Lambda Physics)) with the wavelength 218?nm, pulse duration about 6–8?ns; pulse rate about 80?hz, average pulse power about 0.2?MW and beam diameter varying within the 1.3–7.5?nm was used to form the fundamental beam. The OPG Li₂ B₄ O₇ single crystal was cut in the XZ optical plane. We have tuned the fundamental wavelengths within the 250–320?nm spectral range varying the angle of the plane with respect to the incident pumping beam. Maximal SHG output (in the reflected SHG geometry) is observed for the incident angles 75^○–80^○ with respect to the surface normal and p-polarized incident fundamental ultraviolet beams. Spectral separation between the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) SHG intensities and the fundamental beams was performed using a VUV Seya-Numioka vacuum monochromator with spectral resolution 6?nm in the investigated spectral range. We have found that decreasing mean average palladium nanoparticle sizes favour substantial enhancement of the output SHG within the 120–160?nm spectral range. A layer of platinum nanoparticles coated on a layer of palladium nanoparticles suppresses the SHG effect indicating a quenching of the surface plasmon excitation originating from the palladium nanoparticles. The observed effect allows utilizing the palladium nanoparticles as an efficient material for frequency transformation of the UV nanosecond pulses (spectral range 240–310?nm) into the nanosecond laser pulses with wavelengths 120–160?nm.