Compact continuous wave tunable infrared lasers and method therefor

USH1965H · kind H · statutory invention registration

Inventors

• William K. Burns · Alexandria, US
• Lew Goldberg · Alexandria, US
• Wayne McElhanon

Key dates

• Grant date: Jun 5, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A bulk, quasi-periodic phase-matched difference-frequency (DFG) process in field-poled LiNbO.sub.3 bulk crystal permits continuous tunability of the output radiation in the 3.0-4.1 .mu.m wavelength range through grating rotation. DFG in QPM-LiNbO.sub.3 crystal, carried out using a Nd:YAG laser and a high power semiconductor laser at the quasi-phased matching (QPM) degeneracy point, results in an ultra wide 0.5 .mu.m acceptance bandwidth, permitting crystal rotation-free wavelength tuning of 4.0-4.5 .mu.m, with 0.2 mW output power at 4.5 .mu.m.