Molecular spectroscopy from 5-12 µm using an OP-GaP OPO

Luke Maidment; Peter G. Schunemann; Derryck T. Reid

doi:10.1117/12.2255892

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20 February 2017 Molecular spectroscopy from 5-12 μm using an OP-GaP OPO

Luke Maidment, Peter G. Schunemann, Derryck T. Reid

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Proceedings Volume 10088, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XVI; 100880Y (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2255892
Event: SPIE LASE, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We report a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on the new semiconductor gain material orientation patterned gallium phosphide (OP-GaP) and being the first example of a broadband OPO operating across the molecular fingerprint region. OP-GaP crystals with lengths of 1 mm and several patterning periods were diced, polished, and antireflection (AR) coated for near- to mid-infrared wavelengths. We configured a synchronously pumped OP-GaP OPO in a 101.2-MHz resonator with high reflectivity from 1.15–1.35 μm, pumped with 150-fs pulses from a 1040-nm femtosecond laser (Chromacity Spark). The coating of one spherical mirror was optimized for transmission at the pump wavelength of 1040 nm and for high reflectivity at the resonant signal wavelength in a range from 1.15–1.35 μm, while the other spherical mirror collimated the idler beam emerging from the OP-GaP crystal and was silver coated to provide high reflectivity for all idler wavelengths. This collimated idler beam was output-coupled from the cavity by transmission through a plane mirror coated with high transmission for the idler wavelengths (5–12 μm) and high reflectivity for the signal wavelengths (1.15–1.35 μm) on an infrared-transparent ZnSe substrate. Idler spectra centered from 5.4–11.8 μm and extending to 12.5 μm were collected. The maximum average power was 55 mW at 5.4 μm with 7.5 mW being recorded at 11.8 μm. Details of Fourier transform spectroscopy using water vapor and a polystyrene reference standard are presented.

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Luke Maidment, Peter G. Schunemann, and Derryck T. Reid "Molecular spectroscopy from 5-12 μm using an OP-GaP OPO", Proc. SPIE 10088, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XVI, 100880Y (20 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2255892

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