Diode-laser-pumped continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator with a large mid-infrared tuning range

Ulvila, Ville; Vainio, Markku

doi:10.1016/j.optcom.2019.01.052

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Owing to favorable dispersion characteristics of PPLN, this is conveniently obtained by using approximately 800 nm pump wavelength instead the more common 1064 nm. 16 We have demonstrated an exceptionally wide CW-SRO tuning from 2.5 to 4.4 µm by using Ti:sapphire-laser pumping. 17 This whole range can be covered with just two PPLN poling periods -and, as an example, tuning from 3.3 to 4.5 µm can be done entirely by scanning the pump laser wavelength, without touching the PPLN or CW-SRO cavity.…”

Section: Wavelength Tuning Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators for mid-infrared spectroscopy

Vainio¹

2020

Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XIX

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The atmospheric window at 3 to 5 µm is one of the most important spectral regions for molecular spectroscopy. This region accommodates strong fundamental vibrational spectra of several interesting molecules, including species relevant for air quality monitoring, medical diagnostics, and fundamental research. These applications require excellent spectroscopic sensitivity and selectivity. For example, atmospheric research often needs precise quantification of trace gas fractions of down to the parts-per-trillion level (10 -12 ), with the capability of resolving individual spectral features of different molecular compounds. This sets stringent requirements for the light source of the spectrometer in terms of output power, noise, and linewidth. In addition, the wavelength tuning range of the light source needs to be large, preferably over the entire atmospheric window, in order to enable measurements of molecular fingerprints of several compounds. Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators (CW-OPOs) are one of the few light sources that have the potential of combining all these favorable characteristics. This contribution summarizes our progress in the development of CW-OPOs, with an emphasis on precise frequency control methods for high-resolution molecular spectroscopy. Examples of new applications enabled by the advanced CW-OPO technologies will be presented. These examples include a demonstration of world-record detection sensitivity in trace gas analysis, as well as the first characterization of infrared spectrum of radioactive methane 14 CH4.

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Section: Wavelength Tuning Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…We have used the same approach to implement a simple and inexpensive diode-laser pumped CW-SRO. 16 An example of fast scan of the mid-infrared idler wavelength over 200 nm is illustrated in Fig. 3.…”

Section: Wavelength Tuning Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators for mid-infrared spectroscopy

Vainio¹

2020

Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XIX

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“…However, the dynamic wavelength allocation efficiency of fixedwavelength laser is quite low, which greatly limits the monolithic integration of optoelectronics systems. Therefore, the development of laser wavelength tuning technology is urgent and crucial to the efficiency of optoelectronics [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Raman scattering is a physical phenomenon that can be explained by mature normal form [8,9].…”

Section: Laser Tuning In Aln Single Crystalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser tuning in AlN single crystals

et al. 2021

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“…The rapid and wide wavelength tuning in the near-IR was demonstrated by exploiting fan-out grating MgO:sPPLT SRO [49]. Recently, wide wavelength tuning was achieved in the mid-IR by using group velocity mismatch (GVM)-optimized tunable pump wavelength for continuous scanning of the non-resonant frequency over several GHz [50]. Towards practical applications of cw SROs, their versatility and sensitivity combined with photoacoustic and cavity ring-down spectroscopy was effectively used in trace-gas sensing [51].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel continuous-wave infrared parametric sources and noise analysis of infrared upconversion detectors

Padhye

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The ability to manipulate frequency of light, through parametric frequency conversion sources based on X(2) nonlinear materials, offers an effective route to spectral regions unapproachable by conventional lasers. Most importantly, three-wave mixing processes provide tunable coherent radiation over a broad spectral range. Among the most important tunable devices, narrow linewidth continuous-wave (cw) infrared (IR) optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are indispensable excitation sources for many applications in molecular spectroscopy and precision metrology. In order to exploit such applications, the development of cw OPOs deploying different wavelength tuning schemes and novel nonlinear materials is highly dezirable, as presented in this thesis. We demonstrated a rapidly tunable cw OPO based on fan-out grating design periodically-poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP) crystal at room temperature. This approach allows continuous wavelength tuning by avoiding increased thermal fluctuations at higher operating crystal temperatures. The 532 nm-pumped, output-coupled singly-resonant oscillator (OC-SRO) provides widely tunable near-IR radiation across 741-922 nm and 1258-1884 nm, with total output power of 1.65 W. The use of output coupling for the resonating wave reduces thermal loading and enables 30% enhancement in the OPO extraction efficiency over the pure SRO configuration. Towards the goal of developing a next-generation cw source >4 µm using a new found quasi-phase-matched semiconductor material, orientation-patterned gallium phosphide (OP-GaP), we demonstrated the first realization of a tunable cw mid-IR source based on OP-GaP by exploiting single-pass difference-frequency-generation (DFG) between a Tm-fiber laser at 2010 nm and a home-built OPO based on MgO-doped periodically-poled LiNbO3 (MgO:PPLN) crystal. The DFG source generates up to 43 mW of output power, with >30 mW across 96% of the tuning range 4608-4694 nm, in high beam quality. As the tunable mid-IR sources are making great strides, the availabilityof fast and sensitive mid-IR detectors become equally important. However, the conventional mid-IR detectors demand cryogenic systems for low-noise operation which sets a major drawback as these devices are often bulky and expensive. In this context, the nonlinear frequency upconversion technique has emerged as a promising alternative to the direct detection of mid-IR radiation at room temperature. An upconversion detector (UCD) can be further optimized by identifying and suppressing its noise sources. In order to do so, we experimentally and theoretically investigated noise properties of 1064 nm-pumped single-pass UCD designed for signal detection in telecom and mid-IR range using MgO:PPLN crystals. We studied the dependence of newly discovered SHG (532 nm)-induced spontaneous parametric downconversion (SHG-SPDC) noise intensity on the pump power and crystal temperature, and compared it with the well-known UCD noise source upconverted spontaneous parametric downconversion (USPDC). The measurements deduce that SHG-SPDC must be given a careful consideration since it can act as a dominant noise source under certain operating conditions. However, SHG-SPDC can be avoided by choosing a proper combination of MgO:PPLN grating period,operating temperature, and bandpass filter. La capacidad de manipular la frecuencia de la luz, a través de sintonizables fuentes de conversión de frecuencia paramétrica basadas en materiales no lineales del tipo ¿(2), ofrece un acceso eficaz a las regiones espectrales inaccesible por los láseres convencionales. Entre los dispositivos sintonizables más importantes, los osciladores ópticos paramétricos (OPOs) de onda continua (cw) en el infrarrojo (IR) con ancho de banda estrecho, son fuentes esenciales para muchas aplicaciones en espectroscopia molecular y metrología de precisión. Con el fin de explotar tales aplicaciones, es muy deseable el desarrollo de OPOs de cw mediante diferentes esquemas de sintonización de longitud de onda y nuevos materiales no lineales, como se presentan en esta tesis. Mostramos aquí un OPO de cw rápidamente sintonizable basado en un cristal periodically-poled KTiOPO4 con diseño de red fan-out a temperatura ambiente. Este enfoque permite una sintonización continua de la longitud de onda evitando el aumento de las fluctuaciones térmicas a temperaturas de funcionamiento más altas de los cristales. El OPO resonante con acoplador de salida bombeado a longitud de onda de 532 nm, proporciona radiación sintonizable en el infrarrojo cercano (near-IR) a través de 741-922 nm y 1258-1884nm, con una potencia de salida máxima de 1.65 W. El uso del acoplador de salida para la onda resonante reduce la carga térmica y permite una mejora del 30% en la eficiencia de extracción del OPO sobre la configuración SRO pura. Con el objetivo de desarrollar la nueva generación de fuentes de onda continua con longitud de onda >4 µm utilizando la técnica de quasi-phase-matching con materiales semiconductores, presentamos la primera demostración de una fuente de onda continua sintonizable en el infrarrojo medio (mid-IR) utilizando el patrón de orientación de fosfuro de galio (OP-GaP) y generación de frecuencia diferencia (DFG) entre láser de fibra Tm a longitud de onda de 2010 nm y otro OPO hecho en el laboratorio basado en un cristal MgO-doped periodically-poled LiNbO3 (MgO:PPLN). La fuente DFG genera hasta 43 mW de potencia de salida, con >30 mW a través de un 96% del rango de sintonización 4608-4694 nm, con una alta calidad de haz. A medida que las fuentes de emisión en el mid-IR sintonizables mejoren sus prestaciones, la disponibilidad de detectores de mid-IR rápidos y sensibles se vuelve igualmente importante. Sin embargo, los detectores de mid-IR convencionales requieren sistemas criogénicos para operar con poco ruido, lo que presenta un gran inconveniente ya que estos dispositivos suelen ser voluminosos y caros. En este contexto, la técnica no lineal de conversión ascendente de frecuencia ha surgido como una alternativa prometedora a la detección directa de la radiación de mid-IR a temperatura ambiente. Un detector de conversión ascendente (UCD) se puede optimizar aún más dentificando y suprimiendo sus fuentes de ruido. Para hacerlo, investigamos teórica y experimentalmente las propiedades de ruido de un UCD de un solo paso bombeado a 1064 nm diseñado para la detección de señales en telecomunicaciones y rango mid-IR, utilizando cristales MgO:PPLN. Descubrimos una nueva fuente de ruido llamada ruido espontáneo paramétrico de conversión descendente inducido por generación de segundo harmónico SHG (SHG-SPDC). Estudiamos, también, la dependencia de la intensidad de este ruido (SHG-SPDC) con la potencia de bombeo y la temperatura del cristal. Finalmente, también comparamos su intensidad con el conocido ruido generado por el detector UCD, llamado ruido de conversión ascendente por conversión paramétrica descendente espontánea (USPDC). Los resultados obtenidos nos dicen que se debe considerar cuidadosamente el SHG-SPDC, ya que puede actuar como una fuente de ruido dominante en ciertas condiciones de operación. Sin embargo, el SHG-SPDC se puede evitar al elegir una combinación adecuada de MgO:PPLN, el período de red la temperatura de operación y el filtro de tipo pasa banda.

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Diode-laser-pumped continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator with a large mid-infrared tuning range

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators for mid-infrared spectroscopy

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators for mid-infrared spectroscopy

Laser tuning in AlN single crystals

Novel continuous-wave infrared parametric sources and noise analysis of infrared upconversion detectors

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