Abstract

Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) use nonlinear optical effects to generate coherent radiation over extensive and continuous tuning ranges. In recent years the advent of new and improved optically nonlinear materials coupled with the development of increasingly refined lasers, in particular diode-laser-pumped solidstate lasers, as pump sources for OPOs has led to a resurgence of interest in these devices as practical sources of tunable, coherent radiation. High optical-to-optical conversion efficiencies have now been demonstrated in devices that operate from the femtosecond through the nanosecond and picosecond time domains to truly continuous-wave oscillation. Spectral control can be to the transform limit. Decade tuning ranges converting the near ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared are now possible from a single, compact device. This tutorial review talk will introduce the basic physical principles behind these devices, and will report on the current status of the rapidly evolving science and technology of OPOs throughout all of the above time domains.

© 1994 IEEE