Broadly tunable mid-IR radiation source based on difference frequency mixing of high power wavelength-tunable laser diodes in bulk periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/

摘要

Coherent mid-IR radiation throughout the 3.6 to 4.3 /spl mu/m wavelength range is generated by difference frequency mixing (DFM) of wavelength-tunable laser diodes in periodically-poled LiNbO/sub 3/ (PPLN). Mid-IR power levels up to 7.1 /spl mu/W and DFM conversion efficiencies up to 0.015%/Wcm are demonstrated.