EFFICIENT, LOW-THRESHOLD SYNCHRONOUSLY-PUMPED PARAMETRIC OSCILLATION IN PERIODICALLY-POLED LITHIUM-NIOBATE OVER THE 1.3 MU-M TO 5.3 MU-M RANGE

Using periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN), synchronously pumped by a Nd:YLF laser at 1047 nm, optical parametric oscillation is achiev ed with a mean threshold power as low as 7.5 mW, nearly an order of ma gnitude lower than previously reported. Output slope efficiencies (sig nal plus idler), at a signal wavelength of similar to 1.7 mu m (idler 2.7 mu m), of up to 160% are observed. Efficient operation has been ob served out to 5.3 mu m, well into the infrared absorption edge of lith ium niobate. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.