Advances in ultrafast optical parametric oscillators based on CdSiP_2

摘要

Ultrafast optical parametric sources for the mid-infrared (mid-IR) based on the new birefringent nonlinear crystal, cadmium silicon phosphide, CdSiPi, using well-established Nd-based solid-state and Yb-based fiber pump lasers near 1 um are presented. Optical parametric generators (OPGs) and optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) providing high-energy picosecond pulses, as well as high-repetition-rate femtosecond pulses at high average powers across the 6-7 μm spectral range in the mid-IR are reviewed. Various pump laser technologies suitable for ultrafast femtosecond OPOs based on CdSiP_2 are discussed. These results represent the highest output pulse energy and record average power in the ultrafast picosecond and femtosecond time-scales across the 6-7 μm spectral range.