Abstract

Intracavity parametric generation is a useful tool for obtaining highly efficient continuous- wave optical parametric oscillators¹. The nonlinear crystal leading to parametric oscillation is placed inside the cavity of a laser which provides the pump wave for the nonlinear process, thus benefiting from the high intracavity power density attainable. A more compact system results if a single crystal integrates the two basic functions of laser oscillation and nonlinear parametric generation. We demonstrate a self-pumped parametric oscillator based on an Yb³⁺-doped periodically poled lithium niobate single crystal. The laser emission of Yb³⁺ ions at 1063 nm serves as a pump wave for generation of 1360 nm infrared laser radiation (signal) and an idler wave at 5830 nm. The domain structure has been created by a modified Czochralski technique during the crystal growth process². MgO was added to reduce photorefractive damage. The domain period in the 1 mm long crystal is 23 µm with a duty cycle of 50 %. The system was pumped in an end-pump configuration with a continuous-wave Ti:Sapphire laser at 980 nm, where InGaAs laser diodes are commercially available. A quasihemispherical cavity was used with highly reflective mirrors at 1063 and 1360 nm to obtain a singly resonant parametric oscillator.

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