Compact, All-Solid-State, CW, Mid-Infrared Laser Source

A wide variety of spectroscopic, remote sensing, and other applications would benefit from a rugged, and efficient mid-infrared laser source. The approach advocated here utilizes the mature, diode-pumped, 1 micrometer laser technology to drive an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a new nonlinear frequency conversion material, periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The Phase I program will consist of fabricating and characterizing the PPLN material for continuous wave (CW) frequency conversion applications, resulting in the demonstration of a compact 4 micrometer source. The focus of the Phase I program will be on the nonlinear material and the critical requirements it must satisfy to be useful for CW frequency conversion in the mid-infrared. PPLN has the unique combination of high nonlinear coefficients, low optical loss, and inherently "engineerable" phasematching properties (which determine the output wavelength) required for CW sources. If successful, this program (after Phase III) will yield a high power, broadly tunable (1.5 - 4.2 micrometer), CW, all-solid-state mid-infrared source in a package size of approximately 5000 cubic-centimeters (shoe box size), highly desirable for a variety of remote-sensing and industrial monitoring applications.