The backward-wave optical parametric oscillator (BWOPO) has attracted attention for narrowband spectral generation in a mirrorless configuration and is of interest in applications that require narrow spectral linewidths. Unlike conventional optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), this class of device is based on the splitting of a pump photon into two photons propagating in opposite directions. The oscillation in BWOPO occurs due to the fact that two counter-propagating parametric waves are present, which establishes positive feedback, resulting into a robust system that does not require fine cavity alignment.

In this work, the authors have reported a theoretical study of the pulsed threshold and efficiency, and of the spectral properties of BWOPO. The current study presents analytical expressions of threshold and efficiency in pulsed regime and of pulsed bandwidths, which are interesting and provide a better understanding of BWOPOs. Furthermore, numerical simulations presented in this work have confirmed that, as compared to conventional OPOs in a singly resonant oscillator configuration, the BWOPO emission is naturally Fourier-transform limited. Thus, BWOPO can deliver a narrow linewidth without any spectral filter. This unique property of BWOPO is of key importance for practical applications including remote gas sensing.

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