Abstract

We consider an Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) employing Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (KTP) as a nonlinear crystal pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1.064µm. This OPO is not used for generating a tunable output, but for providing an eye- safe wavelength around 1.55µm.

We have developped a numerical simulation of this OPO in the dynamic regime. Our analysis is based on the plane-wave coupled equations for the OPO interactions. As initial conditions for the signal and idler, we have used the vacuum fluctuations of the electric fields. Our calculations indicate that high efficiency pulsed operation is possible. Theoretical predictions are in good agreement with experimental results.

© 1993 Optical Society of America