High-peak-power intracavity OPO transmitter at 1572 nm

Abstract

The efficient, eye-safe, high repetition rate, intracavity optical parametric oscillator (IOPO) inside acousto-optic Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser end pumped by 15-W fiber coupled diode was demonstrated. The pumping Q-switched laser gives 3-W average output power at 1064-nm wavelength and 40-kHz repetition rate. The additional separating mirror, 'x-cut' KTP crystal and the output coupler, highly reflective at 1064-nm and partially transparent at 1572-nm wavelength, form flat-flat IOPO resonator of 35-mm length. We have achieved 3-ns duration pulses for 20-mm long KTP and 4-ns duration pulses for 30-mm KTP length, respectively. Above 10-kW peak power pulses with the average power of 1.5 W at the signal wavelength for 40 kHz repetition rate were demonstrated. Due to intracavity gain guiding effect, diffraction limited signal beam was achieved. Conversion efficiency of 50% with respect to Q-switched output at 1064-nm wavelength and 11% with respect to diode pump power were achieved.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.