Compact and Extra-Cavity KTA-based Optical Parametric Oscillator as Transmitter for Mid-Infrared Laser Radars

Abstract

Extra-cavity type II NCPM KTA OPO-based oscillator pumped by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is developed for laser radars operating in the mid-infrared. The laser operates in the 3.0-4.5 um range with a linewidth of 0.5 nm.

Rugged and compact 2.6 um KTA-OPO oscillator suitable for near infrared laser remote sensing

“…OPO technique has the advantage of producing pulsed mid-infrared radiation with broad wavelength coverage which makes up for the absence laser emission in certain band of frequencies. The 2.6 micrometer band lasers have many potential applications in fields such as industrial pollution sources monitoring [1,2].Moreover, KTA crystal features large non-linear optical and electro-optical coefficients and low crystal loss in the wavelength range 2.6-3.2 μm; high nonlinear coefficient; high optical damage threshold; low temperature sensitivity. KTA is also non-hygroscopic, and offers the possibility of critical phase matching with a high value of dλ/dθ which results in a narrow free running linewidth [3,4].…”