Optical wavelength conversion method and laser-diode-pumped solid- state laser

摘要

An optical wavelength conversion method employs a bulk-crystal- type optical wavelength converter device of a single crystal of nonlinear optical material known as PRA. Linearly polarized fundamental waves whose wavelengths range from 450 to 4,000 nm are applied to the bulk single crystal, and angle phase matching of the type I is achieved, thereby producing a wave whose frequency is the sum of the frequencies of the applied fundamental waves. A laser-diode-pumped solid-state laser includes a solid-state laser rod doped with a rare-earth material such as neodymium or the like and pumped by a semiconductor laser, and a bulk single crystal of organic nonlinear optical material disposed in a resonator. The bulk single crystal converts the wavelength of a laser beam which is oscillated by the solid-state laser rod and the wavelength of a pumping laser beam into the wavelength of a wave whose frequency is the sum of the frequencies of the laser beams.