Abstract
The performance of optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) has recently improved markedly through the use of injection-seeded single-mode pump laser sources and of new nonlinear optical materials, such as β-barium borate (BBO).1 With a BBO OPO pumped by such a source (delivering 315 mJ per 5-ns pulse at 355 nm), we attain a total (signal + idler) output pulse energy of ≥100 mJ throughout the tuning range 430 nm–2.0 µm, with maximum conversion efficiency >60% at a signal wavelength of 485 nm. This is achieved with a large BBO crystal (7 × 7 × 15 mm3, 30° cut for type I phase matching). Continuous tunability of the signal and idler wavelengths is readily achieved2 by injection seeding of the OPO cavity, at either the signal or idler wavelength, with narrowband radiation from a low-intensity tunable laser, such as a dye or diode laser. The output wavelengths are controllable over a wide tuning range (> 100 cm-1) with minimal adjustment of the angular setting of the BBO crystal, resulting in remarkably simple spectroscopic operation.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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