Entangled-cavity optical parametric oscillator for mid-infrared pulsed single-longitudinal-mode operation

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are crucial for generating tunable laser light.
• Doubly resonant OPOs offer enhanced efficiency but often face challenges with stability and tunability.
• Compact and efficient laser sources are needed for advanced spectroscopic and remote sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel pulsed doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO).
• To demonstrate a compact OPO with enhanced performance characteristics.
• To highlight the potential of this OPO for various scientific and industrial applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an original entangled-cavity geometry for the OPO design.
• Integrated a pump laser within a compact 1-liter volume.
• Characterized the OPO's spectral properties, repetition rate, threshold, and tuning range.

Main Results:

• Achieved single-frequency operation with a linewidth below 100 MHz.
• Demonstrated a high repetition rate exceeding 10 kHz.
• Observed a low threshold below 10 μJ and wide tuning capabilities in the mid-infrared spectrum.

Conclusions:

• The developed pulsed doubly resonant OPO is a compact and high-performance laser source.
• Its unique properties make it suitable for demanding applications.
• Potential applications include nonlinear spectroscopy, lidar, and environmental pollutant detection.