Abstract
We demonstrate that for a given pump source, there is an optimum pump threshold to achieve the maximum single-frequency output power in singly resonant optical parametric oscillators. Therefore, cavity losses and parametric amplification have to be adjusted. In particular, continuous-wave output powers of 1.5 W were achieved with a 2.5 cm lithium niobate crystal in comparison with 0.5 W by a 5 cm long crystal within the same cavity design. This counter-intuitive result of weaker amplification leading to larger powers can be explained using a model from L.B. Kreuzer (Proc. Joint Conf. Lasers and Opt.-Elect., p. 52, 1969). Kreuzer also states that single-mode operation is possible only up to pump powers which are 4.6 times the threshold value. Additionally, implementing an outcoupling mirror to increase losses, single-frequency waves with powers of 3 W at 3.2 µm and 7 W at 1.5 µm could be generated simultaneously.
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Sowade, R., Breunig, I., Kiessling, J. et al. Influence of the pump threshold on the single-frequency output power of singly resonant optical parametric oscillators. Appl. Phys. B 96, 25–28 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-008-3323-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-008-3323-9