CHARACTERIZATION OF KNBO3 CRYSTAL FOR FREQUENCY-DOUBLING OF A TUNABLEPULSED NEAR-INFRARED LASER

Using KNbO3 crystals for second-harmonic generation in the blue spectr al range, we have obtained conversion efficiencies as high as 53.7%. T o our knowledge this value is the highest reported for a pulsed laser. A gain-switched nanosecond Ti:sapphire oscillator, amplified by a Cr: LiSrAlF6 multipass amplifier, was used as the fundamental light source . The maximum energy obtained at the harmonic wavelength of 430 nm was 38 mJ for a bandwidth of 230 MHz. (C) 1995 Optical Society of America