Compact tunable difference-frequency sources in the mid-infrared pumped by a single-mode diode lasers
- Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States)
The suitability of III-V single-mode cw diode lasers for difference-frequency generation of tunable infrared radiation has been explored by mixing a red single-mode diode laser with a tunable single-mode cw Ti:Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} laser in AgGaS{sub 2}. More than 1 {micro}W of cw tunable, infrared ({lambda}{approx}5{micro}m), narrow band coherent radiation has been generated by using type I noncritical phase-matching. The feasibility of a more compact, solid-state cw laser source based on the mixing of two sing-mode diode lasers (808 and 690 nm) as pump sources in AgGaS{sub 2} has also been demonstrated (infrared power generated {approx}3 nW). Techniques to increase the infrared difference-frequency output power level such as the use of a high-power optical semiconductor amplifier or an external buildup cavity for the nonlinear mixing crystal have been investigated. As much as 47 {micro}W of cw infrared radiation and 89 {micro}W of pulsed infrared radiation, tunable around 4.3 {micro}m have been 715 nm in AgGaS{sub 2}. The GaAlAs tapered traveling-wave amplifier delivered up to 1.5W of diffraction-limited cw power into the nonlinear crystal. Recent progress in generating cw infrared radiation near 3.2 {micro}m by mixing the outputs of an extended cavity diode laser near 800 nm (pump wave) and a compact diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm (signal wave) in AgGaS{sub 2} with an external enhancement cavity to resonate the signal wave inside the nonlinear mixing crystal is also described.
- OSTI ID:
- 94449
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940142--; ISBN 0-8194-1440-9
- Resource Relation:
- OE/LASE `94: conference on optics, electro-optics, and laser applications in science and engineering, Los Angeles, CA (United States), 22-29 Jan 1994; Is Part Of Nonlinear optics for high-speed electronics and optical frequency conversion. Proceedings, SPIE Volume 2145; Peygambarian, N.; Everitt, H.; Eckardt, R.C.; Lowenthal, D.D. [eds.]; PB: 366 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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