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US 5,333,142 AGranted
Technique for intracavity sum frequency generation
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorRichard Scheps
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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorRichard Scheps
Estimating the term…
A means for intracavity sum frequency generation is described in which a laser operates simultaneously at two wavelengths. The laser resonator further contains a sum frequency generating nonlinear crystal which is oriented for efficient sum frequency generation of the two fundamental wavelengths. The optical alignment of the resonator provides a region where both fundamental wavelengths are overlapped and are focused. The nonlinear sum frequency generating crystal is placed near this focus in the region where both wavelengths are spatially superimposed, producing the sum frequency of the two wavelengths. Line narrowing of the individual two fundamental wavelengths produces a line narrowed sum frequency generated output. Mirror coatings on all reflective elements are highly reflective for both fundamental wavelengths to produce a high intracavity fluence at both of these frequencies. Sum frequency generation at 459 nm is demonstrated in a non-critically phase matched Type II KTP crystal by operating a Ti:sapphire laser simultaneously at 808 nm and 1.064.mu.. In order to achieve simultaneous operation at both wavelengths a 1.064.mu. signal may be injected into the resonator from an external source, such as a Nd:YAG laser. A doubled Nd:YAG laser may be used to optically excite the Ti:sapphire laser while simultaneously injecting 1.064.mu. radiation into the laser cavity.
A laser generating two wavelengths within a preselected range of wavelengths for producing a third wavelength by sum frequency generation comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.