Noncollinear double-ring optical parametric oscillators with periodically poled KTiOPO4

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear Optics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are crucial for generating tunable laser light.
• Ring OPOs offer advantages in stability and tunability.
• Periodically poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP) is a widely used nonlinear material.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a pulsed self-seeded double-ring optical parametric oscillator (OPO).
• To achieve continuous wavelength tuning of counter-propagating parametric wave pairs.
• To investigate the effects of cross-seeding and spectral manipulation on OPO performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a periodically poled KTiOPO4 crystal within a double-ring cavity.
• Pumped the OPO from two opposite directions to generate counter-propagating waves.
• Employed a feedback arrangement for cross-seeding and Fourier-domain filtering for spectral manipulation.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a self-seeded double-ring OPO.
• Achieved continuous tuning of idler waves from 1189 nm to 1267 nm.
• Obtained high parametric ring oscillator efficiencies of 46%.

Conclusions:

• The double-ring OPO design enables stable, independent, and tunable parametric wave generation.
• Cross-seeding and spectral manipulation offer advanced control over OPO output.
• This work presents a promising platform for tunable light generation in nonlinear optics.