| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N00708/01 |
| Title: |
NOVEL TECHNIQUES FOR RELIABLE SINGLE-FREQUENCY OPERATION OF CW & PULSED OPTICAL PARAMETRIC OSCILLATORS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Clarkson, Professor WA |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Optoelectronics Research Ctr (closed) |
| Organisation: |
University of Southampton |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
31 January 2000 |
Ends: |
30 July 2002 |
Value (£): |
50,511
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optical Devices & Subsystems |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Electronics |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Recent advances in nonlinear materials combined with the availability of reliable, all-solid-state pump lasers has led to a dramatic improvement in efficiency of optical parametric oscillators (OPO's), opening up the prospect of many new applications. Inspite of these developments, a number of problems still hinder the OPO, limiting its applicability. This proposal considers the problem of achieving reliable single-frequency operation of cw and pulsed OPO's, and has as its goal the demonstration of some very simple, but effective solutions, capitalising on the high non linear coefficient and engineerable properties of periodically-poled lithium niobate. More specifically, a novel technique for passively suppressing mode-hoping in cw, single-frequency OPO's will be investigated. This approach, which makes use of a second non-linear crystal selected for generating the second harmonic of the resonated signal wave, discriminates against oscillation on adjacent axial modes by subjecting them to an additional non-linear loss due to sum-frequency generation. This technique also offers the possibility of continuous (mode-hop-free) tuning over many nanometres via simple adjustment of the OPO resonator length. In addition, a simple alternative technique for achieving reliable single-frequency operation of pulsed OPO's, using a novel high-power solid-state pump lasers will also be investigated.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.soton.ac.uk |