Pulse compression by slow saturable absorber action in an optical parametric oscillator

We present numerical simulations of a singly-resonant, synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator with intra-cavity slow saturable absorber. T hese indicate that compression ratios of about five or more may be achieved for realistic absorber parameters. The behaviour of the parametric oscilla tor with absorber presents a novel nonlinear resonance which is due specifi cally to the nature of the parametric three-wave interaction and which woul d not appear in a laser system. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.