Abstract

We report the first successful operation of a AgGaSe₂ infrared optical parametric oscillator (OPO). Tuning ranges of 1.6–1.7 and 6.7–6.9-μm were demonstrated using a 1.34-μm Nd:YAGpump laser. Continuous tuning between 3.3 and 5.6 μm was obtained using a 2.05-μm Ho;YLF pump laser. Pump powers up to 5 times OPO threshold were employed without damage to the AgGaSe₂ crystal. Maximum OPO output energies exceeded 0.8 mj (2 × 10¹⁶ photons)/pulse at 4.6 μm, corresponding to peak power of 25 kW and conversion efficiency at 14%. Peak power of 30 kW and conversion efficiency of 18 % were obtained at 1.66 μm using the Nd:YAG pump. An optimally designed AgGaSe₂ OPO pumped by a 2.05-μm Ho:YLF laser should be continuously tunable from 2.5 to 12 μm.

© 1986 Optical Society of America