Mode-locked optical parametric oscillator apparatus

Patent · Tue Dec 25 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5216113

Ammann, E O

Improved mode-locked optical parametric oscillator apparatus comprises a mode-locked pump laser having a cavity with a predetermined effective length l/sub p/ and a parametric oscillator having a nonlinear crystal, such as lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/), and a singly resonant mirrors spaced apart by an effective distance l/sub o/ which is substantially less than l/sub p/, i.e., l/sub p/ approx. = nl/sub o/ where n approx. = 5-50. The interaction of the mode-locked pump output with the nonlinear crystal produces parametric outputs at signal (f/sub s/) and idler (f/sub i/) frequencies, the parametric oscillator mirrors being singly resonant at one of those two frequencies. The parametric oscillator may be disposed either externally of or within the pump cavity and the pump laser optionally may be Q-switched. The parametric oscillator apparatus of this invention greatly increases the stability of the mode-locked output under normal operating conditions and enables relatively wide tuning of the apparatus without adjustment of the pump or oscillator cavity lengths.

• Assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4180751
• OSTI ID: 5216113
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
FREQUENCY CONTROL
LASERS
MIRRORS
MODE LOCKING
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
OSCILLATORS
PARAMETRIC OSCILLATORS
Q-SWITCHING