ABSTRACT
The conversion efficiency of an optical parametric oscillator is reduced by energy consumption during build-up of signal and idler intensities and due to back-conversion effects. By tailoring the pump pulse temporal shape, we are able to improve the conversion efficiency by minimizing build-up time and back-conversion. Simulations predict a significant improvement in 1064 nm to 4000 nm idler conversion by using a double-rectangular temporal shape rather than using a simple Gaussian pulse. Experimental results qualitatively verify the effect resulting in a 20% improvement of a rectangular pulse over a Gaussian pulse.
ABSTRACT
We experimentally demonstrate an optical parametric oscillator, whose signal pumps another difference-frequency generation process. Engineered idler frequency coincidence of both processes in a single quasiperiodic crystal improves pump-to-idler slope efficiency by 52.8%, from 15.25% to 23.3%, and pump-to-idler conversion efficiency (at an average pump power of 1.2 W) by 16.6%, from 12.5% to 14.58%.
ABSTRACT
The luminescence of AgBr, AgCl, and AgClBr crystals and fibers doped with Pr3+ ions was investigated in the middle-infrared spectral range. We measured the absorption, emission, and kinetic parameters over a broad temperature range. Strong luminescence in the spectral range 4-5.5 microm was observed for the first time to our knowledge in silver halide crystals and fibers at room temperature. No noticeable differences were observed between the crystals and the fibers. We calculated various optical parameters for Pr:AgBr and Pr:AgCl crystals, using the Judd-Ofelt approximation. Both the measured results and the calculated parameters indicate that these doped crystals and fibers would be good candidates for the fabrication of mid-IR solid-state lasers or fiber lasers.
