|
Generation of coherent light in new regions of the optical spectrum has been a major goal of research in laser science and technology since Maiman demonstrated the first experimental laser in 1960.
Many attempts have been made to provide laser radiation in difficult spectral regions, but have been unsuccessful due to a lack of suitable solid-state laser materials.
After nearly 50 years, many gaps in the optical spectrum remain and many regions in the UV, Visible, and IR are still unavailable to lasers. Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs) offer a uniquely versatile solution that can overcome the spectral limitations of lasers and extend the accessible wavelengths to new limits.
By enclosing a nonlinear optical crystal in a resonator and irradiating it with laser radiation, the OPO converts the wavelength of the input light to a new set of wavelengths previously unavailable. The generated output wavelengths can be tuned by changing the crystal orientation, temperature, or other means, facilitating the generation of optical radiation over extended spectral regions in the UV, Visible, and IR.
Progress in nonlinear optical materials and progress in conventional laser technology have now enabled the development of a new generation of OPO devices with remarkable performance capabilities, which offering tunability across vast spectral regions from the UV to mid-IR and from steady-state to ultrafast femtosecond time-scales.
The unique wavelength flexibility, practical power, high output stability, excellent temporal and spatial quality, and solid-state design have opened up new possibilities for the practical deployment of OPOs in many applications in time-domain spectroscopy, optical microscopy, biophotonics and nanotechnology.
|
