Mid-infrared quasi-parametric chirped-pulse amplification based on Sm:LGN crystals

Yufang Ding; Jinsheng Liu; Xingbin Gu; Peng Yuan; Jingui Ma

doi:10.1364/OE.484443

Mid-infrared quasi-parametric chirped-pulse amplification based on Sm:LGN crystals

Opt Express. 2023 Feb 27;31(5):8864-8874. doi: 10.1364/OE.484443.

Authors

Yufang Ding, Jinsheng Liu, Xingbin Gu, Peng Yuan, Jingui Ma

PMID: 36859992
DOI: 10.1364/OE.484443

Abstract

We numerically demonstrate highly efficient mid-infrared quasi-parametric chirped-pulse amplification (QPCPA) based on a recently developed Sm³⁺-doped La₃Ga_5.5Nb_0.5O₁₄ (Sm:LGN) crystal. At pump wavelength around 1 µm, the broadband absorption of Sm³⁺ on idler pulses can enable QPCPA for femtosecond signal pulses centered at 3.5 or 5 µm, with a conversion efficiency approaching the quantum limit. Due to suppression of back conversion, such mid-infrared QPCPA exhibits robustness against phase-mismatch and pump-intensity variation. The Sm:LGN-based QPCPA will provide an efficient approach for converting currently well-developed intense laser pulses at 1 µm to mid-infrared ultrashort pulses.