Abstract
A novel waveguide for difference frequency generation in the mid-IR spectral region at 3.52 mum is characterized. High mid-IR power of 15 mW and an external conversion efficiency of up to 19 %W( -1) have been obtained. An optical beam propagation factor M(2) =1.18 was determined using the second moment method. A simple 2-f absorption spectra demonstrates the potential of this mid-IR source for high precision trace gas sensing applications.
Highlights
The precise measurement of several key trace constituents present from the surface to the stratosphere may aid in answering several scientific questions related to atmospheric chemistry, affecting urban and global environments
A simple 2-f absorption spectra demonstrates the potential of this mid-IR source for high precision trace gas sensing applications
The overall efficiency and initial characterization of the waveguide periodically poled lithium niobate (WG-PPLN) shows good potential for its application in high precision mid-IR trace gas sensing applications
Summary
The precise measurement of several key trace constituents present from the surface to the stratosphere may aid in answering several scientific questions related to atmospheric chemistry, affecting urban and global environments. The overall rugged properties of optical telecom rated components make reliable, long-term operation an easy task to achieve Another notably important characteristic of fiber optic pumped bulk-PPLN crystal DFG sources is the high beam quality, which minimizes the number of required optical elements to collimate and match the typically high f/# of multi-pass absorption cells while minimizing optical scattering. The continued use of optical fiber amplifiers in combination with a highly efficient WG-PPLN DFG source would permit its application to cavity enhanced absorption techniques [4] and potentially to open path absorption measurements, which require 10 mW of optical mid-IR power Such a source would complement the limited spectral coverage of Quantum Cascade laser sources in the 2 to 4.5 m spectral region
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