Monolithic semiconductor mid-IR optical parametric oscillators with modal phase matching

We present theoretical analysis and experimental data from a monolithic semiconductor laser and optical parametric oscillator device which generates near-infrared laser beam and converts it to a longer mid-infrared wavelength by modal phase matching. The device design exploits the strong optical nonlinearity and transparency of III-V compound semiconductors while achieving phase matching of the near-infrared pump beam to the mid-infrared product beam(s). These devices have the potential to dramatically improve the CW Mid-IR power available at room temperature from monolithic semiconductor lasers, making them ideal for a broad range of applications including infrared countermeasures, detecting chemical weapons, imaging, and fog-penetrating optical communications.