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Sub-20-fs tunable pulses in the visible from an 82-MHz optical parametric oscillator
Optics Letters
|October 29, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed tunable ultrashort laser pulses down to 13 femtoseconds (fs) using a novel optical parametric oscillator. This advancement offers new possibilities for ultrafast spectroscopy and material science applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Ultrafast Laser Science
Background:
- Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are crucial for generating tunable laser light.
- Achieving femtosecond pulse durations requires precise control over dispersion and cavity design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-bandwidth optical parametric oscillator capable of producing tunable ultrashort laser pulses.
- To achieve pulse durations down to 13 femtoseconds (fs) in the visible spectral range.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a beta-barium borate (BBO) crystal in a Ti:sapphire second-harmonic-pumped OPO.
- Employed a six-mirror folded ring cavity with fused-silica prism group-delay-dispersion compensation.
- Operated the OPO at a repetition rate of 82 MHz.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated tunable laser pulses in the 590-666 nm range.
- Achieved pulse durations as short as 13 fs.
- Demonstrated the effectiveness of the dispersion-compensated cavity design for ultrashort pulse generation.
Conclusions:
- The developed OPO system is a powerful tool for generating tunable femtosecond pulses.
- The design enables precise control over pulse parameters for advanced optical applications.
- This work advances the capabilities of ultrafast laser technology.
