Continuous-wave pump-enhanced singly resonant optical parametric oscillator pumped by an extended-cavity diode laser

A continuous-wave pump-enhanced singly resonant optical parametric oscillat or (OPO) directly pumped by a grating-stabilized external-cavity diode lase r operating at approximate to 810 nm is described. The OPO was based on per iodically poled LiNbO3 and could be tuned over 1.06-1.19 mum at the signal and 2.58-3.44 mum at the idler. The OPO threshold was typically 25-30 mW ov er the observed tuning range. Up to 4 mW of one-directional idler output wa s obtained for 62 mW of external-cavity diode laser pump power. The high st ability of the external-cavity diode-laser pump source allowed locked, sing le-mode OPO operation for periods of greater than 1 h. (C) 2001 American In stitute of Physics.