Compact self-cascaded KTA-OPO for 2.6 μm laser generation

We reported a compact self-cascaded KTA-OPO source for 2.6 μm coherent light generation. The OPO is driven in a diode end-pumped and Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser cavity. Two OPO processes occurred in the same KTA crystal with non-critical phase matching. At an incident diode pump power of 8.7 W and a pulse repetition frequency of 60 kHz, the OPO can generate a maximum average output power of 445 mW at 2.59 μm. The slope efficiency was about 12.7%, and the power fluctuation was less than 8%. Therefore, the self-cascade OPO based on KTA offers a promise scheme for the rugged and compact mid-infrared 2.6 μm laser generation.