A multipurpose efficient tunable infrared coherent source with tuning range from 0.8 to 25 μm and peak powers in the range 50–200 kw

Abstract

We have developed in the last 2 years a multipurpose efficient tunable coherent source in the near- and mid-infrared, with high level beam quality and stability requirements. This complex device makes use of a high reliability home-made YAG: Nd 3+ laser as primary power source, associated with a 1.06 μm pumped infrared dye laser (i.r. dye), a lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator (OPO), two optical mixer crystals, gallium selenide (GaSe) and cadmium selenide (CdSe) and a lithium niobate doubler. At the present time, the following wavelength ranges have been covered: 1.08–1.20 μm and 9–19 μm starting from the i.r. dye, and 1.6–3.6 μm, 0.8–1.8 μm and 2.6–25 μm starting from the OPO. According to the wavelength the peak powers extend from 50 W to 200 kW.