Optical parametric amplification of mid-infrared radiation using multi-layer glass-bonded QPM GaAs crystals

Brian J. Perrett; Paul D. Mason; Pamela A. Webber; Simon C. Woods; David A. Orchard

doi:10.1117/12.698942

14 February 2007 Optical parametric amplification of mid-infrared radiation using multi-layer glass-bonded QPM GaAs crystals

Brian J. Perrett, Paul D. Mason, Pamela A. Webber, Simon C. Woods, David A. Orchard

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6455, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications VI; 64550A (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.698942
Event: Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering, 2007, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Non-linear optical wavelength conversion of near-infrared lasers within optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) offers a route to powerful tunable sources in the mid-infrared (mid-IR). Engineered quasi-phasematched (QPM) non-linear optical materials based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) offer an alternative to conventional birefringently phasematched single-crystal materials such as ZnGeP₂, which are currently used in mid-IR OPOs. QPM GaAs crystals have been assembled from commercially available, high-optical quality 100-micron thickness gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers using a novel glass-bonding (GB) process. This uses thin layers of an infrared transmitting glass (refractive index matched to GaAs) deposited onto each GaAs wafer, which, when heated under pressure, fuse the wafers together to form a monolithic structure. By varying the thickness of the deposited glass layers, the dispersion in the glass can be used to compensate for variations in GaAs wafer thickness and to fine tune the phasematching wavelengths of the QPM crystal. GBGaAs crystals with up to 100 layers have been designed and built for wavelength conversion from 2 &mgr;m into the mid-IR. We report the performance of these crystals used as optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) in the mid-IR, when pumped by a 2.094 &mgr;m source, and compare these results to measurements for a ZGP OPA. In addition, the dependence of conversion within GBGaAs crystals on the polarisation state of the amplifier seed beam has been investigated along with the temperature dependence of the optimum operating wavelength. Good agreement between experimental results and performance predictions obtained from a numerical model is observed.

Citation Download Citation

Brian J. Perrett, Paul D. Mason, Pamela A. Webber, Simon C. Woods, and David A. Orchard "Optical parametric amplification of mid-infrared radiation using multi-layer glass-bonded QPM GaAs crystals", Proc. SPIE 6455, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials, Devices, and Applications VI, 64550A (14 February 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.698942

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available