Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled lithium niobate with 1-W average output power

We report on a rugged all-solid-state laser source of near-IR, radiation in the range of 1461-1601 nm based on a high-power Nd:YVO4 laser that is made locked by a semiconductor saturable Bragg reflector as the pump source of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator with a periodically po led lithium niobate crystal. The system produces 34-ps pulses with a high r epetition rate of 235 MHz and an average output power of 1 W. The relativel y long pulses lead to wide cavity detuning tolerances. The comparatively na rrow spectral bandwidth of <15 GHz is suitable for applications such as pol lutant detection. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.