Open AccessHigh-efficiency intracavity Nd:YVO_4\KTA optical parametric oscillator with 36 W output power at 153 μm
Author(s) -
Heyuan Zhu,
Ge Zhang,
Huibin Chen,
Chun Huang,
Yong Wei,
Yucong Duan,
Yidong Huang,
Hongyan Wang,
Gang Qiu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.020669
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , optical parametric oscillator , laser , diode , energy conversion efficiency , slope efficiency , optoelectronics , laser diode , fiber laser , physics
An efficient intracavity KTA optical parametric oscillator (OPO) driven by diode-end-pumped acousto-optical Q-switched Nd:YVO(4) laser is demonstrated. The mode mismatch between fundamental cavity and OPO cavity caused by the thermal lens effect in Nd:YVO(4) crystal as the pump power increased was studied. To lessen mode mismatch, a thermal lens-like cavity mirror made of plane BK7 glass induced by idler absorption was introduced into the OPO cavity. Under a diode pump power of 20 W, a maximum 1535nm light output power of 3.6 W was achieved at the pulse repetition rate of 60 kHz, corresponding to a diode-to-signal conversion efficiency of 18%. This is the highest efficiency reported for eye-safe laser based on intracavity OPO.