The tandem optical parametric oscillator

We report the theoretical analysis of a tandem optical parametric oscillator (TOPO) in which the principal OPO generates a signal which pumps a secondary OPO. The signal produced by the principal OPO is resonated in a high-Q cavity containing both nonlinear crystals. This cavity also has low Q for the signal of the secondary OPO. The two OPO's are singly resonant, since neither idler is resonated. We show that the useful output, consisting of the two idlers and the signal of the secondary OPO, can be produced with high efficiency over a large dynamic range in the pump intensity. As an example, we discuss modeling in three space dimensions of a Nd:YAG-pumped monolithic TOPO based on periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/. This TOPO could generate three infrared wavelengths in high-transmission bands of atmospheric water vapor.

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