Abstract

Optical parametric oscillator (OPO) devices, pumped by nanosecond-pulsed lasers, have long been recognized¹ as potentially useful sources of broadly tunable, coherent radiation for spectroscopic purposes. Their solid-state character and high efficiency offer substantial advantages in some respects over the ubiquitous dye laser. Moreover, the wide tuning range of many OPOs opens up prospects for laser spectroscopy in otherwise inaccessible spectral regions, such as the near- and mid-infrared. Despite early progress,¹ the spectroscopic potential of OPOs has not readily been realized until recently, with the availability of new nonlinear-optical materials, high-quality pump lasers, and fresh approaches to wavelength control.

© 1994 Optical Society of America