Efficient, single-axial-mode operation of a monolithic MgO:LiNbO(3) optical parametric oscillator

A monolithic doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) fabricated from MgO:LiNbO(3) was pumped by a cw, frequency-doubled, diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser. The threshold for cw operation was 12 mW, and pump depletions of up to 78% were observed two times above threshold. The total OPO output power was 8.15 mW, with a conversion efficiency for the incident pump of 34% and combined conversion efficiency for the 1064-nm laser light of 14%. The OPO was temperature tuned from 1007 to 1129 nm, operated on a single-axial-mode pair over most of the range, and could be electric field tuned by as much as 38 nm near degeneracy.