Efficient 1.7  μm light source based on KTA-OPO derived by Nd:YVO₄ self-Raman laser

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear Optics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Efficient generation of laser light at 1.7 µm is crucial for various applications.
• Nd:YVO4 lasers and optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are established technologies in laser science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an efficient intra-cavity optical parametric oscillator (OPO) emitting at 1.7 µm.
• To utilize a Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser as a pump source for the OPO.

Main Methods:

• An acousto-optic Q-switched Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser operating at 1176 nm was used as the pump source.
• A KTiOAsO4 (KTA) crystal was employed as the nonlinear optical element within the OPO cavity.
• The system was end-pumped by a laser diode.

Main Results:

• An average output power of 1.2 W of signal light at 1742 nm was achieved.
• The diode-to-signal conversion efficiency reached 10%.
• The generated signal light had a pulse width of approximately 11 ns and a spectral line width below 0.5 nm.

Conclusions:

• A compact intra-cavity KTA-OPO pumped by a Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser is an efficient method for 1.7 µm laser generation.
• This technique shows potential for applications in biological imaging, laser therapy, and materials processing.