High-efficiency high-energy wavelength-doubling optical parametric oscillator

Darrell J. Armstrong; Arlee V. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.646503

10 February 2006 High-efficiency high-energy wavelength-doubling optical parametric oscillator

Proceedings Volume 6103, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications V; 61030C (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.646503
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

We have numerically modeled an efficient method of doubling the 1064 nm wavelength of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser using a lambda-doubling nanosecond optical parametric oscillator (LDOPO). The LDOPO cavity is based on the four-mirror nonplanar RISTRA geometry, denoting rotated-image singly-resonant twisted rectangle, and contains a single type-II KTP crystal. By using the polarization-rotating properties of this cavity, and modifying its geometry to incorporate polarization-selective mirrors with angles of incidence near Brewster's angle, this design obtains stable, singly-resonant oscillation at degeneracy. If the pump laser is injection-seeded, and the LDOPO contains an intra-cavity etalon for single-longitudinal-mode oscillation, the phase of the wavelength-doubled 2128 nm light remains locked to the phase of the pump, independent of cavity length, so active frequency stabilization is not required. Numerical analysis indicates that a pulse-injection-seeded LDOPO can obtain 1064 nm to 2128 nm conversion efficiency exceeding 61%. However, analysis of a complete system incorporating a primary low-energy LDOPO that pulse-injection-seeds a secondary higher-energy LDOPO indicates total 1064 nm to 2128 nm efficiency of approximately 57%. A 2128 nm lambda-doubling system having conversion efficiency > 50% may offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional two micron laser sources such as Tm:Ho:YAG.

Citation Download Citation

Darrell J. Armstrong and Arlee V. Smith "High-efficiency high-energy wavelength-doubling optical parametric oscillator", Proc. SPIE 6103, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications V, 61030C (10 February 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.646503

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