Paul Scherrer Institut

Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich

Aldo Antognini

Karsten Schuhmann

A system for frequency conversion of laser pump radiation includes an optical element for frequency conversion of lasers or laser beams with power scalability. The element has a nonlinear birefringent, thin plate crystal. A pump beam generates frequency-shifted radiation. Phase or quasi-phase matching conditions are in the crystal between beams. Frontside and backside of the crystal have high-reflective and partially-reflective coatings, obtaining intensity enhancement of the pump and frequency-converted radiation, and maintaining relative phase delay between beams, maximizing conversion efficiency. The crystal contacts a heat sink through the high-reflective coating, minimizing temperature inhomogeneity in the crystal. Intrinsic longitudinal heat flow provides power scalability. The element, used intra-cavity, acts as a wavelength-selective component forcing laser operation on resonance of the element, maximizing frequency conversion. The wavelength selectivity allows single-frequency operation of high-power lasers with intra-cavity frequency conversion.

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Siggenthal Station, Switzerland

Aldo Antognini