Bidirectional, synchronously pumped, ring optical parametric oscillator

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Nonlinear Optics
• Laser Physics

Background:

• Ring optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are crucial for generating tunable laser light.
• Bidirectional operation in OPOs can enable novel sensing applications.
• Periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) is a key material for nonlinear optical frequency conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the operation of a bidirectional femtosecond pulsed ring OPO.
• To demonstrate a gyro response without dead band using this device.
• To measure the nonlinear index of lithium niobate.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal.
• Pumped the OPO alternately with nonsimultaneous femtosecond pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser.
• Observed a beat note between counterpropagating beams to confirm gyro response.

Main Results:

• Successfully operated a bidirectional femtosecond pulsed ring OPO.
• Confirmed a gyro response without dead band.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to differential phase changes via nonlinear index measurement.

Conclusions:

• The bidirectional femtosecond ring OPO based on PPLN operates effectively.
• The device exhibits a robust gyro response suitable for sensing.
• This work validates the use of PPLN in advanced OPO designs and sensing.