Abstract
At Spectra Technology, Inc., we have developed an efficient, tunable, mid-IR (2-5 microns) source based on down converting 1-micron radiation using optical parametric technology. Our approach uses an efficient two-stage optical parametric oscillator down conversion process that we call a “tandem OPO.” KTP is used in the first OPO stage to degenerately down convert 1.064 microns to 2.128 microns. Because this first stage is degenerate, both the signal and idler beams are usable to drive the second mid-IR stage. We have achieved power conversion efficiencies of ≥66% for down converting 1.064 microns to 2.128 microns (signal plus idler). The actual pump (1.064 μ) depletion is 70-80% indicating that higher power conversion is still possible by reducing various losses in the scheme. The signal and idler 2.128 micron power is then used to drive the second AgGaSe2 mid-IR OPO stage. In this second stage we have achieved power conversion efficiencies (2.128 microns converting to 3.8 microns plus 4.8 microns) of over 40%.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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