Abstract
Numerous applications would benefit from a compact laser source with tunable, continuous-wave emission in the deep ultraviolet (wavelengths <250 nm); however, very few laser sources have been demonstrated with direct emission in this spectral region and options are generally limited to pulsed, fixed wavelength sources or complex and impractical setups for nonlinear frequency mixing of the emission of several infrared lasers in various external enhancement cavities. Here, we propose an all-solid-state, continuous-wave, tunable laser with emission between 224 and 226 nm via intracavity frequency tripling in an AlGaInP-based semiconductor disk laser (SDL). Output power up to 78 μW is achieved in continuous wave operation, with a tuning range over 350 cm−1. AlGaInP-based SDLs may be designed to emit anywhere between ∼640–690 nm such that wavelengths between 213 and 230 nm may be targeted for specific applications using a similar set-up. An in-depth study of the nonlinear conversion has been carried out to understand the limitations of the set-up, namely large walk-off angles for phase-matching in the nonlinear crystals, and the potential for increasing the output power to several milli-Watts. This is, to the authors’ knowledge, the first implementation of intracavity frequency tripling in a visible SDL and the shortest wavelength emitted from an SDL system.
Highlights
I NDUCING electronic transitions in small molecules, such as some organic compounds and reactive species containing nitrogen and oxygen, requires high energy photons, with energy >4.5 eV [1]–[4]
Current technology for continuous wave (CW), UV generation is mostly based on frequency up-conversion in external resonators, since the high power stored in the resonator allows for efficient frequency conversion within the nonlinear crystal
We have demonstrated third harmonic generation in a visible semiconductor disk laser (SDL), providing continuous wave laser emission in the deep ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum and producing the shortest wavelength to date from an SDL
Summary
I NDUCING electronic transitions in small molecules, such as some organic compounds and reactive species containing nitrogen and oxygen, requires high energy photons, with energy >4.5 eV (deep ultraviolet light; UVC: 100 nm–280 nm) [1]–[4]. Current technology for continuous wave (CW), UV generation is mostly based on frequency up-conversion in external resonators, since the high power stored in the resonator allows for efficient frequency conversion within the nonlinear crystal While this method makes use of enhanced optical fields, it leads to rather complex and bulky setups, with further complexity if active stabilization is required. We report an AlGaInP-based SDL, frequency tripled via intracavity sum-frequency mixing of the fundamental wavelength with its second harmonic, with the resulting emission in the UVC region This approach takes advantage of the aforementioned qualities of the SDLs, transferring them to the deep UV region, where laser options are very limited, while aiming for compactness and simplicity of the setup.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
