Birefringence phase-matched direct third-harmonic generation in a ridge optical waveguide based on a KTiOPO4 single crystal.

Birefringence phase-matched third-harmonic generation at 1594 nm is performed for the first time in a KTiOPO4 single crystal micrometric ridge waveguide. The energy conversion efficiency reaches 3.4% for a pump energy as low as 2 µJ over a pulse duration of 15 ps at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. Strong agreements between theory and experiments for both phase-matching and conversion efficiency is obtained, which let us envision future triple photon generation quantum experiments.

Phase-matched second-harmonic generation in a flux grown KTP crystal ridge optical waveguide.

Type II second-harmonic generation was performed in a 15.8-mm-long KTiOPO4 (KTP) micrometric ridge waveguide with an average transversal section of 38 µm2. Theoretical predictions are compared with experiments. Strong agreements are obtained for both phase-matching wavelengths and second-harmonic intensity. This work opens wide perspectives for integrated parametric optics.

Anisotropy analysis of third-harmonic generation in a germanium-doped silica optical fiber.

We performed an intermodal third-harmonic generation around 516 nm in a germanium-doped silica optical fiber. The analysis of the complex polarization behavior that was observed allowed us to determine the orientation symmetry group of the fiber and the relative values of the independent coefficients of the third-order electric susceptibility tensor.

Phase-matching directions, refined Sellmeier equations, and second-order nonlinear coefficient of the infrared Langatate crystal La3Ga(5.5)Ta(0.5)O14.

We directly measured phase-matching directions of second harmonic, sum, and difference frequency generations in the Langatate La3Ga(5.5)Ta(0.5)O14 (LGT) uniaxial crystal. The simultaneous fit of the data enabled us to refine the Sellmeier equations of the ordinary and extraordinary principal refractive indices over the entire transparency range of the crystal, and to calculate the phase-matching curves and efficiencies of LGT for infrared optical parametric generation.

Energetic and spectral properties of triple photon downconversion in a phase-matched KTiOPO4 crystal.

We measured the spectrum and energy of infrared triple photons generated in a phase-matched KTiOPO4 crystal pumped by picosecond beams at 532 and 1662 nm. The experimental data are in good agreement with our model, taking into account the spectral linewidths of the incident beams as well as a parasitic Kerr effect.

Rotation of the absorption frame as a function of the electronic transition in the Nd3+:YCa4O(BO3)3 monoclinic crystal.

We report the first measurements of the angular distribution of absorption under polarized light corresponding to seven electronic transitions of Nd(3+) ions in the monoclinic crystal Nd:YCOB, revealing a rotation of the symmetry axes of the different patterns.

Singular topology of optical absorption in biaxial crystals.

We show for the first time that biaxial crystals exhibit continua of directions of propagation where the absorption coefficient is the same for the two associated polarization modes. This statement is supported by both calculations and experimental data obtained in Nd:YCOB.

Angular quasi-phase-matching experiments and determination of accurate Sellmeier equations for 5%MgO:PPLN.

We validated the theory of angular quasi-phase-matching (AQPM) by performing measurements of second-harmonic generation and difference-frequency generation. A nonlinear least-squares fitting of these experimental data led to refine the Sellmeier equations of 5%MgO:PPLN that are now valid over the complete transparency range of the crystal. We also showed that AQPM exhibits complementary spectral ranges and acceptances compared with birefringence phase matching.

Absorption and fluorescence anisotropies of monoclinic crystals: the case of Nd:YCOB.

We report for the first time measurements and modelization of the angular distributions of absorption and fluorescence in a monoclinic crystal. Studies on Nd:YCOB revealed specific topologies with ombilics. These new data upgrade the knowledge on low symmetry crystal optics.

Laser optical feedback imaging insensitive to parasitic optical feedback.

We present an optical architecture for the laser optical feedback imaging (LOFI) technique that makes it possible to avoid the effect of the optical parasitic reflections introduced by the optical components located between the laser source and the studied object. These reflections damage phase and amplitude information contained in the images. This phenomenon is a leading problem that strongly limits the LOFI performance for weak feedback detection. Consequently, it is essential to be able to limit or avoid the effect of these parasitic reflections to reach the optimal LOFI performance.