Assessment of diffusion-bonded KTP crystals for efficient, low pulse energy conversion from 1 to 2 (mu)m

Diffusion bonded (DB) walk-off compensated KTP crystals offer an alternative nonlinear medium for efficient 1 to 2 (mu)m conversion within optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) at low pulse energies. Spatial variations in optical absorption and transmission values measured at 2 (mu)m are reported for two DB-KTP crystals. Finally, a comparison is made between the conversion efficiency obtained from a degenerate 1 (mu)m pumped OPO using a single 20 mm KTP crystal and an equivalent length DB-KTP crystal consisting of two bonded 10 mm crystals.