Single cavity solid state laser with intracavity optical frequency mixing

Abstract

A composite cavity continuous wave (cw) microlaser that lases at two fundamental wavelengths, denoted by .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2, which are frequency-mixed in a suitable nonlinear crystal oriented within an optically resonant cavity for phase-matched frequency mixing to generate radiation at a third wavelength. The optically resonant cavity is defined by a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface, both of which are substantially reflective at a first and a second wavelength. A highly absorbing solid-state gain material, preferably Nd:YVO.sub.4, which has a first gain transition at the first wavelength and a second gain transition at the second wavelength different from the first wavelength is disposed within the optically resonant cavity. The highly absorbing solid-state gain material is closely coupled to the first reflective surface to promote single mode operation of both fundamental lasing frequencies. An optical pump source is optically coupled through the first reflective face to end-pump the solid-state gain material with continuous pump radiation at a pump wavelength that is highly absorptive by the gain material. In some embodiments, the solid-state gain material has an input face that includes the first reflective surface and the nonlinear crystal has an output face that includes the second reflective surface.