DIODE-PUMPED OPTICAL PARAMETRIC OSCILLATOR

Diode-pumped optical parametric oscillation has been demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge in a single Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 nonlinear cr ystal. The crystal is pumped by a semiconductor diode laser array at 8 12 nm. The Nd3+ ions absorb the 812-nm radiation to generate 1084-nm l aser oscillation. On internal Q switching the 1084-nm radiation pumps the LiNbO3 host crystal that is angle cut at 46.5 degrees and generate s optical parametric oscillation. The oscillation threshold that is du e to the 1084-nm laser pump with a pulse length of 80 ns in a 1-mm-dia meter beam was measured to be approximate to 1 mJ and produced 0.5-mJ output at 3400-nm signal wavelength. (C) 1996 Optical Society of Ameri ca