Knowledge Bank

Optical parametric oscillators using $LiNbO3$ have been used extensively in the infrared. All previous versions have resonated the high frequency (4000 to $7000cm-1$) component. Such sources have been unable to produce narrow band radiation in the 2500 to $4000cm-1$ region. A new cavity design resonating the low frequency (2500 to $4000cm-1$) component has been developed which yields 1 to 3 mj/pulse with a linewidth of 0.6 to $0.8cm-1$. The cavity design allows pumping with a standard Q-switched Nd-YAG laser. The addition of an intracavity etalon should permit high (0.01 to $0.02cm-1$) resolution operation.