ABSTRACT
A singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled LiNbO(3) is pumped by a Nd:YAG-based oscillator-modulator-amplifier source. This pump source, operating at 1.064 µm, provides the ability to control the temporal characteristics of the OPO waveform. We illustrate pulse tailoring by demonstrating three pulse formats: a pulse with a sharply rising edge, a square pulse, and an amplitude-modulated square pulse. The OPO output is tuned over 1.45-1.67-µm (signal) and 2.9-4.0-µm (idler). We demonstrate a 7-µJ, 2-µs square pulse with 5-MHz sinusoidal amplitude modulation.
ABSTRACT
Miniature diode-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched solid-state lasers deliver pulse durations as short as 600 ps at wavelengths near 1 µm. Specifically, Nd:YVO(4) lasers operating at 1.064 µm produce 600-ps/5-kW pulses at 1 kHz, 1.0-ns/2-kW pulses at 20 kHz, and 1.9-ns/0.5-kW pulses at 100 kHz. A Nd:YLF laser at 1.047 µm generates 700-ps/15-kW pulses at 1 kHz, and 1.2-ns/4-kW pulses at 10 kHz. At 1.342 µm, a Nd:YVO(4) laser produces 3.3-ns/0.8-0.6-kW pulses at 1-10 kHz.
