Abstract

High-peak power blue light generation is an important for range of applications including displays and coherent light sources tunable over visible spectrum and based on optical parametric devices. Power handling and reliability of the frequency conversion stage is critical for the laser performance. Nonlinear crystals employed in frequency conversion stages have to sustain near infrared and visible light intensities from several MW/cm² in continuous wave to tens of GW/cm² in pulsed systems. At these intensities nonlinear crystals can exhibit unwanted nonlinear effects, among which photorefraction and blue-green light-induced infrared absorption (BLIIRA) are the most damaging ones. These effects can substantially limit the range of available nonlinear materials which could be employed in these applications.

© 2007 IEEE