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Efficient second harmonic generation of a high-power picosecond CO2 laser
Optics Letters
|March 1, 2022
Summary
AgGaSe2 achieves over 20% energy conversion efficiency for picosecond CO2 laser second harmonic generation (SHG). Other materials show lower efficiency, with self-focusing limiting performance in CdGeAs2 and Te at high intensities.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Solid-state materials science
Background:
- Second harmonic generation (SHG) is crucial for frequency conversion.
- High-power picosecond CO2 lasers require efficient nonlinear optical materials for applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively analyze AgGaSe2, GaSe, CdGeAs2, and Te for SHG of a picosecond CO2 laser.
- To determine the maximum achievable SHG efficiency and identify performance limitations.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of SHG efficiency for four different materials.
- High-intensity picosecond CO2 laser (10 μm) used as the fundamental source.
- Analysis of material performance at intensities up to 50 GW/cm2.
Main Results:
- AgGaSe2 demonstrated >20% external energy conversion efficiency.
- GaSe and CdGeAs2 showed conversion efficiencies >5%.
- Self-focusing and multifilamentation limited SHG in CdGeAs2 and Te.
Conclusions:
- AgGaSe2 is a highly efficient material for picosecond CO2 laser SHG.
- Material limitations like self-focusing must be addressed for high-field applications.
- Efficient SHG enables new strong-field applications in the 4.5-5.5 μm range.
