Megahertz optical parametric amplifier pumped by a femtosecond oscillator

We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, an optical parametric amplifier directly pumped by a femtosecond oscillator. Wavelength-tunable pulses in the ranges 0.65-0.85 microm (signal) and 1.4-2.5 microm (idler) are generated at a repetition frequency of 1 MHz. For pumping the beta-barium borate crystal we use a microjoule Yb:KY(WO4)2 femtosecond oscillator with cavity dumping. Pulses with 30 nJ of energy and a duration of 16 fs are achieved from a supercontinuum seed generated in a sapphire plate.