Three to 5-Micron Parametric Oscillator.
Abstract
This report summarizes the results of a twelve month program whose goal is the generation of infrared outputs in the 3-to-5-micron region. This program is a continuation of work started under contract F33615-69-C-1702. On the present program, internal optical parametric oscillators have been operated which have produced average powers of 1.8 watts at 2.1 microns and 200 mW at 3.1 microns. Tunable outputs greater than 500 mW were obtained from 1.8 to 2.7 microns, and outputs greater than 50 mW were obtained from 2.8 to 3.7 microns. Peak powers were 3200 times average power. The parametric oscillator consists of a lithium niobate crystal having mirrors coated on its end faces which is placed inside a continuously pumped repetitively Q-switched Nd:YA10 sub 3 laser. In addition to various oscillator experiments, studies have been carried out on (1) Nd:YA10 sub 3 versus Nd:YAG as the oscillator pump; (2) mode control of the pump laser; (3) the feasibility of using lithium iodate instead of lithium niobate as the nonlinear material; (4) the occurrence of simultaneous parameteric oscillation and sum-frequency generation; and (5) laser damage to lithium niobate and its coatings. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0902614
Entities
People
- Eugene O. Ammann
Organizations
- Sylvania Electric Products