Laser system and method for generating and amplifying optical pulses with a tunable output wavelength between approximately 0.75 and 2.5 µm

摘要

A laser system for generating and amplifying optical pulses with a tunable output wavelength in the near-infrared between approximately 0.75 and 2.5 μm comprises an optical parametric amplifier having a nonlinear crystal (4), an optical seed source (2) for supplying an optical seed pulse to the nonlinear crystal (4) and an optical pump source (3) for supplying an optical pump pulse to the nonlinear crystal (4). The optical seed source (2) is adapted for supplying a wavelength in a range between approximately 0.75 and 2.5 μm, and the optical pump source (3) is adapted for supplying a wavelength in a range between approximately 0.65 and 1 μm. The nonlinear crystal (4) is biaxial and can be a KTP crystal. A relatively efficient and robust mirror arrangement for such a system is also disclosed, as well as methods for generating and amplifying optical pulses with a tunable output wavelength.