Difference frequency generation of 5-18 mu m in a AgGaSe2 crystal

摘要

Mid-infrared radiation in the 5-18-mu m range has been obtained by difference frequency generation in a AgGaSe2 crystal by pumping with the output of a type I LiNbO3 optical parametric oscillator (OPO). Here we suggest the use of a LiTaO3 retarder to achieve an orthogonal state of polarization between OPO outputs that are necessary for efficient pumping of a AgGaSe2 crystal. Several tens of kilowatts of peak power near 8 mu m and continuously tunable operation in the above range have been obtained. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America. [References: 15]