Limitations of the tunability of dual-crystal optical parametric oscillators

Opt Lett. 2007 Jun 1;32(11):1450-2. doi: 10.1364/ol.32.001450.

Abstract

We demonstrate what is believed to be the first continuous-wave dual-crystal optical parametric oscillator (D-OPO) for generation of waves with a frequency difference of some terahertz. It is based on two magnesium-doped periodically poled lithium niobate crystals pumped with near-infrared light at 1030 nm. By changing the temperature difference of the crystals we achieve a difference-frequency tuning. This ranges from an initially unexpected lower threshold of 1.3 THz up to higher frequencies. The linewidth of the considered signal waves is smaller than 5 GHz. Smaller difference frequencies were not achievable. Our model, describing the dual-crystal parametric gain, explains the observed lower tuning limit by showing that the assumption of independent oscillation conditions in a D-OPO is not necessarily valid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Equipment Design
  • Light
  • Magnesium / chemistry
  • Models, Statistical
  • Niobium / chemistry
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Oscillometry*
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Temperature
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Oxides
  • Niobium
  • lithium niobate
  • Magnesium