Conversion efficiency expansion in wavelength converting optical packages

A method of controlling an optical package comprising a semiconductor laser, a spectral filter, and a wavelength conversion device, wherein:

• the semiconductor laser is operated to generate a fundamental laser signal comprising a relatively low-frequency wavelength spectrum in a wavelength domain;
• the spectral filter and the wavelength conversion device are positioned along a common optical path extending from an output of the semiconductor laser;
• the spectral filter can be characterized by a superior transmission curve comprising at least one transmission depression in the wavelength domain;
• the wavelength conversion device can be characterized by an inferior conversion efficiency curve comprising at least one conversion efficiency peak in the wavelength domain;
• the wavelength conversion device is configured to convert the fundamental laser signal to a converted laser signal comprising a relatively high-frequency wavelength spectrum;
• the optical package is tuned such that the transmission depression of the superior transmission curve is at least partially aligned with the conversion efficiency peak of the inferior conversion efficiency curve in the wavelength domain;
• and
• the optical package is further tuned such that the wavelength of the fundamental laser signal lies within a wavelength range corresponding to the conversion efficiency peak of the inferior conversion efficiency curve.

An optical package comprising a semiconductor laser, a spectral filter, and a wavelength conversion device, wherein:

• the semiconductor laser is configured to generate a fundamental laser signal comprising a relatively low-frequency wavelength spectrum in a wavelength domain;
• the spectral filter and the wavelength conversion device are positioned along a common optical path extending from an output of the semiconductor laser;
• the spectral filter can be characterized by a superior transmission curve comprising at least one transmission depression in the wavelength domain;
• the wavelength conversion device can be characterized by an inferior conversion efficiency curve comprising at least one conversion efficiency peak in the wavelength domain;
• the wavelength conversion device is configured to convert the fundamental laser signal to a converted laser signal comprising a relatively high-frequency wavelength spectrum;
• the spectral filter comprises a temperature control mechanism configured to at least partially control the temperature of a portion of the spectral filter in the optical path to affect alignment of the transmission depression of the superior transmission curve relative to the conversion efficiency peak of the inferior conversion efficiency curve in the wavelength domain;
• and
• the semiconductor laser comprises a wavelength control mechanism configured to at least partially control the temperature of one or more regions of the semiconductor laser, current injection into one or more regions of the semiconductor laser, or both, to affect the wavelength of the fundamental laser signal relative to the conversion efficiency peak of the inferior conversion efficiency curve.