Abstract
ZnGeP2 is currently one of the most promising nonlinear optical materials for efficient frequency conversion into the mid-IR spectral region1. Because of its exceptionally high thermal conductivity2 and virtual absence of thermal lensing3, ZnGeP2 is a viable material choice for many applications requiring high average powers and high pulse repetition frequencies. In the past, applications involving 2-µm pumping have been hampered by the presence of a large stoichiometry-related absorption near the band edge. Recently however, an intensive effort in ZnGeP2 crystal growth has produced large, crack-free crystals with sufficiently low 2-µm absorption (≈0.25 cm-1) to allow efficient operation as a 2-µm pumped OPO at uncontrolled ambient temperature.1 The present experiments demonstrate higher slope (37%) and overall (26%) conversion efficiencies using a low loss crystal at ambient temperature. We also show that by cooling, comparable efficiencies can be achieved in crystals having substantially higher near band edge absorptions.
© 1993 Optical Society of America
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