Broadband infrared generation with noncollinear optical parametric processes on periodically poled LiNbO(3)

Broadband signal and idler generation based on the spectral retracing behavior in noncollinear phase matching of optical parametric generation in periodically poled LiNbO(3) (PPLN) is reported. Using PPLN of 29.5-mum quasi-phase-matching period and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser as a pump, we obtained a broad signal spectrum from 1.66 to 1.96 mum and corresponding idler wavelengths from 2.328 to 2.963 mum. The experimental results were consistent with theoretical predictions. Circular and elliptical pump beams were also compared.     

周期性极化铌酸锂晶体中半非共线型宽带光学参变放大理论研究

基于周期性极化铌酸锂晶体(PPLN)的准相位匹配光参变放大过程,通过倾斜周期极化铌酸锂晶体中极化域(极化光栅)一定角度,实现了介于共线匹配方式和非共线匹配方式之间的一种半非共线型准相位匹配方式,并以该匹配方式下的各光矢量几何关系得出相位匹配曲线,找到在特定抽运光和信号光波长下能获得宽带增益放大的周期极化长度。并研究其极化倾斜角度与温度特性。模拟计算表明,在合适的角度与温度条件下,该方式可以532 nm抽运光抽运的信号光在800 nm和1064 nm处均获得宽带光参变放大。     

Noncollinear second-harmonic generation in periodically poled KTiOPO4 excited by the Bessel beam

Frequency doubling in periodically poled KTiOPO(4) excited by the Bessel-like distribution of the fundamental radiation has been investigated. Theoretical analysis and experiments show that the use of noncollinear geometry provides new possibilities for engineering nonlinear interactions in periodically poled crystals. We demonstrate conversion of the ring-shaped fundamental mode to the axial second-harmonic beam with 30% efficiency for 220-muJ Q -switched Nd:YAG pulses.     

Two-dimensional quasi-phase-matched multiple-cascaded four-wave mixing in periodically poled KTiOPO(4)

A two-dimensional quasi-phase-matched structure is realized in a noncollinear, nondegenerate periodically poled KTiOPO(4) parametric oscillator by utilizing the mutual coherence of two noncollinear pump beams. The mutually coherent pump beams form an interference pattern inside the crystal that is directed perpendicular to the existing quasi-phase-matched grating vector and acts as a parametric gain grating. The cavity itself supports two signal wavelengths around 1550 nm with tunable separation, while the gain grating reduces the operational threshold of the oscillator. Furthermore, with this two-dimensional quasi-phase-matched structure, we can demonstrate the generation of new spectral components through multiple chi((2)):chi((2))-cascaded four-wave mixing processes.     

High-efficiency parametric oscillation and spectral control in the red spectral region with periodically poled KTiOPO(4)

Narrow-linewidth optical pulses at wavelengths near 630 nm with 2.2-mJ energy were generated with 61% efficiency in a periodically poled KTiOPO(4) parametric oscillator pumped by a frequency-doubled Q -switched Nd:YAG laser. The tuning range was extended to 30 nm by a noncollinear elliptical pumping geometry. We demonstrate that by angular dispersion a noncollinear optical parametric oscillator can be used to control the spectral and spatial characteristics of the output signal beam.     

Few-optical-cycle pulses in the near-infrared from a noncollinear optical parametric amplifier

We extend the concept of broadband phase matching in a noncollinear optical parametric amplifier (NOPA) to the near-IR. In an 800 nm pumped NOPA using periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate, we amplify a spectrum spanning the 1.1-1.7 microm range and corresponding to two optical cycles of the carrier wavelength. A limited portion of the spectrum is compressed by a prism pair down to 16 fs.     

Group-velocity-matched multistep cascading in nonlinear photonic crystals

We demonstrate that simultaneous phase- and group-velocity-matched cascaded parametric processes can be achieved in two-dimensional quadratic nonlinear photonic crystals by proper matching of noncollinear processes with front tilting of the fundamental pulse. We present examples of cascaded third- and fourth-harmonic generation in a poled LiNbO3 planar structure.     

非共线准相位匹配周期极化RbTiOAsO4的增益带宽

研究了非共线准相位匹配过程中,周期极化RbTiOAsO_4晶体同时满足准相位匹配和群速匹配条件的非共线角和相应的极化周期随信号光波长的变化。分析了满足群速匹配条件时,非共线准相位匹配的调谐特性。数值模拟了增益带宽随非共线角、晶体温度和极化周期的变化关系。对比了群速匹配和最大增益带宽情况下,周期极化RbTiOAsO_4晶体增益带宽与晶体温度之间的关系。     

Double quasi phase matching for both optical parametric oscillator and difference frequency generation

We present simultaneous phase matching of optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and difference frequency generation (DFG), using a noncollinear interaction in periodically poled crystal with single grating. Selecting proper grating period Λ and titled angle ξ between the grating vector G and the optical axis of crystal, the noncollinear scheme provides double phase matching solutions over continuous regions of the midwave infrared spectrum. At certain wavelength regions, for DFG process the group velocities between interaction pulses are matching and the phase matching bandwidth reaches maximum. Selecting the different grating period, the broadband midwave tuning and better gain spectrum can be obtained at different wavelength range. For the certain period grating the conversion efficiency is higher. Hence, using the double phase matching configuration, the broadband tunable midwave infrared wave can be produced in single grating. But the configurations have a relatively narrow angular bandwidth.     

Periodically poled lithium niobate monolithic nanosecond optical parametric oscillators and generators

We fabricated and characterized periodically poled lithium niobate monolithic optical parametric oscillators (OPO's) and generators. The compact monolithic devices were trivial to align and operate and provided widely tunable, nearly diffraction-limited, stable output pulses. Low thresholds and high conversion efficiencies were obtained when the devices were pumped with 3.5-ns 1.064-mum pulses. In addition, the monolithic OPO devices exhibited broad tuning by crystal rotation through noncollinear phase matching. The bandwidth-broadening effects exhibited in the noncollinear phase-matching geometry were measured and explained.     

Light Wave Interactions in Active Nonlinear Crystals with Quadratic Nonlinearity

Recent results in the field of three-frequency wave interaction in homogeneous and inhomogeneous (periodically poled) active nonlinear crystals with quadratic nonlinearity are reviewed. The quasi-phase-matched processes of self-frequency doubling, self-frequency halving, and frequency mixing of the pump and laser radiations are studied. The consecutive quasi-phase-matched processes of the third-harmonic generation and parametric amplification with low-frequency pumping in periodically poled active nonlinear crystals are also investigated. The analysis is carried out for the case of a periodically poled Nd:Mg:LiNbO₃ crystal. Perspectives of using periodically poled active nonlinear crystals in laser devices with self-frequency conversion are discussed.     

Controlling the disorder properties of quadratic nonlinear photonic crystals

We experimentally demonstrate a modulation scheme for disordered nonlinear crystals that combines periodic modulation and disordered sections. The crystal is divided into a set of identical periodically poled building blocks, whereby each block is followed by a short section of random length. We use this scheme to achieve broadband second harmonic generation in KTiOPO4 nonlinear crystals while independently controlling the bandwidth and the center of the converted wavelengths as well as the efficiency of conversion. The trade-off between bandwidth and efficiency is improved in comparison with periodically poled crystals.     

Broadband nondegenerate optical parametric amplification in the mid infrared with periodically poled KTiOPO4

We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that the bandwidth in a nondegenerate optical parametric amplifier can be substantially increased by noncollinear interaction in a quasi-phase-matched single-periodicity structure. Broadband amplification of signals between 1540 and 1720 nm was realized in periodically poled KTiOPO4. The achieved signal bandwidth of 6.9 THz at 1680 nm is large enough to accommodate sub-100 fs optical pulses.     

Efficient third-harmonic generation in partly periodically poled KTiOPO(4) crystal

A partly periodically poled KTiOPO(4) (KTP) crystal has been designed to integrate quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation (QPM SHG) with sum-frequency generation in one crystal for generating a third-harmonic beam. The highest conversion efficiencies of 45% and 3% have been achieved in our experiments for QPM SHG and third-harmonic generation, respectively, by use of picosecond laser pulses at 1.327 microm . We have also discovered that periodically poled KTP has slightly different indices (n(z)) from bulk KTP.     

Generation of a stable low-frequency squeezed vacuum field with periodically poled KTiOPO4 at 1064 nm

We report the generation of a stable continuous-wave low-frequency squeezed vacuum field with a squeezing level of 7.4+/-0.1 dB at 1064 nm, the wavelength at which laser-interferometric gravitational wave (GW) detectors operate, using periodically poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP) in a subthreshold optical parametric oscillator. The squeezing was observed in a broad band of frequencies above 700 Hz where the sensitivity of the currently operational GW detectors is limited by shot noise. PPKTP has the advantages of higher nonlinearity, smaller pump-induced seed absorption, and wider temperature tuning range than alternative nonlinear materials such as MgO-doped or periodically poled LiNbO3, and is, therefore, an excellent material for generation of squeezed vacuum fields for application to laser interferometers for GW detection.     

Continuous-wave frequency tripling and quadrupling by simultaneous three-wave mixings in periodically poled crystals: application to a two-step 1.19-10.71-microm frequency bridge

We observed cw third-harmonic generation in a periodically poled LiNbO(3) crystal by cascading optimally phase-matched second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation. Other processes, such as fourth-harmonic generation, are allowed by the flexibility of quasi-phase matching. We demonstrate a divide-by-nine (1.19- 10.71-microm) frequency chain that uses only two lasers.     

Multistep cascading in periodically poled directional couplers

We suggest a novel scheme for multistep cascaded parametric processes based on a periodically poled nonlinear directional coupler and derive the conditions for simultaneous phase matching of the second-harmonic generation and sum-frequency mixing processes. We predict an efficient wavelength conversion by the cascaded third-harmonic generation from the third optical communication window (1.53-1.56 microm) to visible in a LiNbO3 poled waveguide coupler.     

Blue light generation in a ridge waveguide MgO:LiNbO3 crystal pumped by a fiber Bragg grating stabilized laser diode

We report cw blue light generation by using a periodically poled MgO:LiNbO(3) crystal with a ridge waveguide pumped by a fiber Bragg grating stabilized laser diode with 0.25 nm spectrum width in the coherent collapse regime. Blue light generation of 73 mW with 27% conversion efficiency and a wide temperature tolerance of 5.7 degrees C were attained.     

Direct third harmonic generation due to quadratic cascaded processes in periodically poled crystals

We report the first, according to our knowledge, experiment for direct third harmonic (TH) generation in periodically poled quadratic crystals. TH radiation of a diode array pumped and acousto-optically Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser is generated in a 25 mm long periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal of period 7.0 μm. A theoretical model is developed that explains the experimental results. It predicts that the efficient phase-matched direct TH generation in periodically poled structures with duty factor 0.5 requires even order quasi-phase matching. In contrast to the similar experiments in bulk birefringence crystals, where direct phase matched TH signal is the sum of the contribution of both intrinsic and cascaded cubic nonlinearities, in periodically poled quadratic crystals only cascaded cubic nonlinearity contributes to the direct phase-matched TH signal.     

基于准相位匹配晶体的宽带可调谐光参量放大过程研究

系统分析了基于准相位匹配晶体的光参量放大过程中极化周期和非共线结构对信号光调谐带宽的影响.提出了最大极化周期的概念,用于描述非共线相位匹配和群速度匹配同时满足时晶体的极化周期所能达到的最大值,给出了用于计算不同温度下周期极化铌酸锂晶体的最大极化周期的数学公式,并确定了宽带可调谐光参量放大过程应使用的最佳非共线结构.当采用此非共线结构时,通过将晶体的极化周期设定为最大极化周期可以在相对最大的波长范围内实现信号光的调谐放大输出.在此基础上提出了一个用于最大化光参量放大过程的信号光调谐带宽、确定工作温度等最佳工作参数以及简化实验操作方法的可行性方案.最后对最大极化周期和非共线结构对光参量放大的参量带宽的影响进行了研究. 关键词： 光参量放大 极化周期 非共线结构 带宽