Compact Mid-Infrared Laser Source

A wide variety of spectroscopic, remote sensing, and other applications would benefit from a rugged, compact, and efficient mid-infrared laser source. The approach advocated here utilizes the mature 1 um laser technology to pump an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a new nonlinear frequency conversion material, periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN). The Phase I program will characterize a compact and efficient source in the 3.5 um atmospheric window. The primary objective of the Phase I program is to produce 1 W of 3.5 um radiation at pulse repetition rates of 10 kHz or higher. The key to this approach is the PPLN material which provides lower oscillation thresholds other than materials, and low absorption for high average power applications. If successful, this program (after Phase II) will yield a broadly tunable (1.5 - 4.2 um), high repitition rate, solid-state mid-infrared source in a package size of 5000 cm (3) (shoe box size). The present size of commercial mid-infrared OPO systems are 500,000 cm(3) (coffin size).