Laser-diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 green laser with periodically poled KTP and GaAs saturable absorber

A laser-diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ green laser with periodically poled KTP (PPKTP) and GaAs saturable absorber has been realized. The dependences of pulse repetition rate, pulse energy, pulse width and peak power on incident pump power for the generated-green-light pulses are measured. At the maximum incident pump power of 4.1 W, the maximum average output power of 113 mW is obtained, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 2.8%. At the same pump power, stable green laser pulses of duration of 44.6 ns and energy of 0.28 µJ are generated at a repetition rate of 403.4 kHz. The coupling wave rate equations for a passively Q-switched laser are also given and the numerical solutions agree with the experimental results.     

Frequency Stabilization of a Diode Laser at 1540 nm by Locking to Sub-Doppler Lines of Potassium at 770 nm

An external cavity 1540-nm diode laser was frequency doubled in a 3-cm-long periodically poled LiNbO(3) waveguide doubler with 150% W(-1) conversion efficiency, thereby generating more than 3 muW at 770 nm. Second-harmonic light was used to detect and lock to sub-Doppler lines of the (39)K D(1) transition.     

Efficient frequency doubling by a phase-compensated crystal in a semimonolithic cavity

In multiple-pass nonlinear frequency conversion devices, interacting waves may accumulate different phases, owing to dispersive elements in the system. Phase compensation is therefore necessary for efficient frequency conversion. We experimentally demonstrate phase compensation in a compact semimonolithic frequency-doubling cavity by using a periodically poled KTP crystal. The conversion efficiency of the crystal was found to decrease at high pump powers, owing to power-dependent thermal lensing. This experimental observation was supported by a theoretical calculation of the conversion efficiency in a cavity, considering the mismatch between the mode's thermally loaded and unloaded cavities. A design procedure was also presented to compensate for the thermal lensing effect. The highest conversion efficiency of 56.5%, corresponding to a second-harmonic power of 117.5 mW at 532 nm, was achieved with a cw Nd:YAG pump power of 208 mW.     

Tunable diffraction-limited light at 488 nm by single-pass frequency doubling of a broad area diode laser

A laser system that is based on second-harmonic generation of a broad area laser diode and provides 23.2 mW of diffraction-limited light with narrow bandwidth is described. It is tunable from 487.4 to 489 nm. The broad area laser diode is frequency stabilized in an external cavity that yields 800 mW of diffraction-limited light. This infrared light is converted into the visible by use of a 1 cm periodically poled MgO:LiNbO(3) bulk crystal with a measured single-pass conversion efficiency of up to 3.6%/W x cm.     

High-efficiency generation of a continuous-wave single-frequency 780 nm laser by external-cavity frequency doubling

We demonstrated a 670 mW continuous-wave single-frequency laser source at 780 nm by using external-cavity-enhanced second-harmonic generation of a seeded fiber amplifier in periodically poled lithium niobate. A maximum second-harmonic conversion efficiency of 58% was achieved. The source can work stably over 1 h by locking the frequency-doubling cavity, while the power stability is less than 2%.     

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.     

Diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 green laser with a periodically poled KTP and Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber

A diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 green laser with a periodically poled KTP and Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber is realized. The dependences of pulse repetition rate, pulse energy, pulse width, and peak power on incident pump power are measured for the generated green-light pulses. A rate-equation model is introduced to theoretically analyze the results obtained in the experiment, in which the spatial distribution of the intracavity photon density is taken into account. The numerical solutions of the rate equations agree with the experimental results.     

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.     

Multiwatt High-Repetition-Rate 2-microm Output from an Intracavity KTiOPO(4) Optical Parametric Oscillator

We have obtained 6.5 W of 2-mum output from a near-degenerate, type II KTiOPO(4) (KTP) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped within the cavity of a Q-switched diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser that operates at 3 kHz. We adopted the simplest configuration with a compact diode-pumped Nd:YAG module pumping the doubly resonant KTP OPO in its randomly polarized resonator with an acousto-optic Q switch. Attempts to increase the 2-mum output power by pumping this intracavity KTP OPO with a polarized laser beam by use of thermal birefringence compensation configurations are discussed.     

用于连续激光器的磷酸钛氧钾晶体的制备和性能

采用掺杂生长了一系 列用于大功率LD泵浦连续激光器倍频的磷酸钛氧四（KTiOPO4,KTP）,如：Nb:KTP、Na:KTP、Ce:KTP及Rb：KTP、Cs：KTP等,虽然其中一些具有比普通KTP晶体高的效率和抗光损伤阈值,并在4%Nb:KTP中实现了NCPM,但是在大部分掺杂晶体中生长条纹、包裹体均较严重,影响了晶体的均匀性,不适于大功率连续激光器应用,为提高KTP晶体均匀性和抗光损伤阈值,采用特制原料和改进工艺生长了优质KTP晶体,可用于大功率LD泵浦的Nd:YVO4连续激光器倍频,最大的连续绿光输出功率达到5W。     

Singly resonant sum-frequency generation of 520-nm laser via a variable input-coupling transmission cavity

We experimentally present a three-mirror folded singly resonant sum-frequency generation (SFG) cavity with an adjustable input coupling, which has been applied to 520-nm single-frequency laser generation via 780-nm laser and 1560-nm laser frequency mixing in a periodically poled KTiOPO₄ crystal (PPKTP). A continuous variation in the input coupling reflectivity from 81.4 to 96.1% for 780-nm resonant laser is achieved by tilting the input coupler, and the impedance matching of the resonator can be optimized. Up to 268 mW of SFG output power at 520-nm is obtained with 6.8 W of the 1560-nm laser input and 1.5 W of 780-nm laser input.     

Group-velocity-matched optical parametric oscillator in tilted quasi-phase-matched gratings

An achromatic phase-matching scheme is reported for an optical parametric oscillator in tilted quasi-phase-matched gratings. The spectral angular dispersion is introduced in interaction waves such that each wave component satisfies the two-dimensional (noncollinear) quasi-phase matching. This is equivalent to simultaneous quasi-phase matching and group-velocity matching for ultrashort pulses. The phase-matching bandwidth for 10 mm periodically poled KTP increases by a factor of 12 at lambdas = 1.7 microm compared with one-dimensional quasi-phase matching. The effective interaction length will increase as a result of the matching.     

Practical Bessel beam pumping of periodically poled optical parametric oscillators

Abstract

The pumping of periodically poled optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) by practically realizable Bessel beams is analysed. The effect of the deviation of practical Bessel beams from the ideal form is assessed, the influence of the particular structure of periodically poled materials is discussed, and the concept of phase-matching aperture is introduced. In a typical situation, the efficiency of a periodically poled lithium niobate OPO pumped by a practical Bessel beam has been measured; no efficiency advantage was found in comparison to the corresponding Gaussian beam pumped system or to that predicted by the standard Brosnan-Byer model.     

Stable high-power green light generation with a periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate

Periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate was used for an efficient high-power coherent green light generation based on second-harmonic generation (SHG) using a Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser. Achieved conversion efficiency was 69% that corresponds to SHG power density of 21.6 MW/cm² at the maximum input fundamental peak power density of 31.5 MW/cm². The SHG power fluctuation was less than 3.4% for 35 h, which was mainly caused by input power fluctuation of 2.6%. Obtained SHG powers of 4.4 and 3.4 W were sufficiently stable without spatial beam distortion at room temperature and a phase matching temperature adjustment was required precisely at high input power.     

Enhanced second-harmonic generation in an electro-optic controlled periodically poled ferroelectric crystal

We present a novel design of enhanced second-harmonic generation in a periodically poled ferroelectric crystal. It profits from enhanced light intensity and slowed group velocity, which occur near photonic band edges through electro-optic modulation. The designed structure, with 108 periods and a length of 322 microm, can generate a second-harmonic beam whose conversion efficiency is 2 orders of magnitude larger than the one produced by an equivalent length of quasi-phase-matching bulk medium. This result might be beneficial to the development of optics integration and compact devices.     

Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled lithium niobate with 1-w average output power

We report on a rugged all-solid-state laser source of near-IR radiation in the range of 1461-1601 nm based on a high-power Nd:YVO(4) laser that is mode locked by a semiconductor saturable Bragg reflector as the pump source of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator with a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. The system produces 34-ps pulses with a high repetition rate of 235 MHz and an average output power of 1 W. The relatively long pulses lead to wide cavity detuning tolerances. The comparatively narrow spectral bandwidth of <15 GHz is suitable for applications such as pollutant detection.     

Investigation of multiconversion processes in periodically poled LiNbO3-based optical parametric oscillators

The multiconversion processes in optical parametric oscillators based on periodically poled LiNbO3 are investigated. Interpretations based on simultaneous quasi- and birefringent phase matching are presented. Three parametric and three harmonic generation processes in a multigrating periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal were observed. Two of the parametric processes and two of the harmonics were quasi-phase matched, and the other conversion processes were phase matched through birefringence in the crystal. The primary parametric process (omegap --> omegas + omegai) was obtained through first-order quasi-phase matching. The other quasi-phase-matched processes occurred within higher orders. The existence of even-order quasi-phase matching in the crystal is due to other than a 50% duty-cycle grating periods. The tuning range for each of the generated waves is obtained and compared with theoretical fittings.     

Picosecond-pulse wavelength conversion based on cascaded second-harmonic generation-difference frequency generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide

The wavelength conversion of picosecond optical pulses based on the cascaded second-harmonic generation-difference-frequency generation process in a MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide is studied both experimentally and theoretically. In the experiments, the picosecond pulses are generated from a 40 GHz mode-locked fiber laser and two tunable filters, with which the lasing wavelength can be tuned from 1530 to 1570 nm, and the pulse width can be tuned from 2 to 7 ps. New-frequency pulses, i.e., converted pulses, are generated when the picosecond pulse train and a cw wave interact in the waveguide. The conversion characteristics are systematically investigated when the pulsed and cw waves are alternatively taken as the pump at the quasi-phase-matching wavelength of the device. In particular, the conversion dependences on input pulse width, average power, and pump wavelength are examined quantitatively. Based on the temporal and spectral characteristics of wavelength conversion, a comprehensive analysis on conversion efficiency is presented. The simulation results are in good agreement with the measured data.     

Measurement of laser-induced refractive index change of inverted ferroelectric domain LiNbO3

Optical nonlinearities of periodically poled LiNbO(3) crystals were investigated by the single beam Z-scan technique with a continuous wave (cw) laser beam at 532 nm. The nonlinear optical absorption coefficient and refractive index change are determined to be 8.1 x 10(-6) cm/W and 2.6 x 10(-4) at 0.5 MW/cm(2) light intensity, respectively. Both sign and magnitude of the measured refractive nonlinearity are considerably different from the Z-scan results in congruent LiNbO(3). The nonlinearities in the periodically poled LiNbO(3) induced by 532 nm continuous waves are believed to be mainly due to the photorefractive effect.