Abstract

Accurate modelling of the transient behaviour of optical parametric oscillators (POPs) is of great importance for the understanding of many aspects of OPOs such as the build up of signal and idler fields from spontaneous parametric fluorescence, control and locking of the resonance mode, tuning and mode hopping and de-tuning due to heating effects. In this contribution we describe a numerical model, which takes into account all of the most important processes influencing the transient behaviour of an OPO. We then apply the model to two recent experimental observations: The growth of the signal and idler fields as an OPO is scanned through resonance by means of a piezoelectric mount for one of the resonators¹ and the phenomenon of self-frequency locking.^2,3 In both cases thermal effects due to even very small absorption losses in the nonlinear material modify the material properties of the OPO and lead to the observed complex behaviour. Comparison between the experimental data and the model data show that the model is able to account for all the observed features of the OPO output.

© 1997 Optical Society of America