Abstract

We demonstrate a widely tunable infrared optical parametric oscillator with a low pump threshold and high efficiency, which is based on the nonlinear material KTP and pumped by $Q$-switched nanosecond lasers operating at 1.047 µm. For a KTP crystal cut at $\theta =63.4°,$ $\varphi =0°,$ the achieved signal wavelength tuning of the optical parametric oscillator was 1.58–1.84 µm. By nonresonantly reflecting the pump wave back through the nonlinear medium, more than a factor of 3 reduction in pump threshold was observed. The external conversion efficiency (from pump to signal) was as high as $\sim 40\%.$ Theoretical models developed for predicting phase-matching parameters and pump threshold are also described and shown to be in good agreement with experimental observations.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

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