Laser wavelength upconversion with optical parametric oscillators using simultaneously phase-matched crystals

Abstract

In this thesis, we present our work on optical parametric oscillators that employ a single nonlinear crystal that is simultaneously-phase-matched for second-harmonic or sum-frequency generation in order to obtain frequency upconversion of laser radiation. We achieved simultaneous phase matching of optical parametric amplification together with second harmonic generation or sum frequency generation in bulk KT10P04 and KTi0 As04 crystals, and in an aperiodically-poled LiNbOs crystal. We demonstrated very efficient frequency conversion of pulsed and continuous-wave lasers to higher frequencies with power conversion efficiencies reaching 40%. In addition, we present our work on an intracavity-doubled optical parametric oscillator that employs a periodicallypoled KT10P 04 crystal for optical parametric amplification and an intracavity (3- Ba2B04 crystal for second harmonic generation. In this thesis, we also introduce a method for designing aperiodic grating structures for simultaneous phase matching in poled nonlinear crystals. In contrast to periodic grating structures, a grating structure designed using our method allows one to achieve simultaneous quasi-phase matching of two arbitrarily chosen nonlinear interactions with freely adjustable coupling coefficients.