Optimization of line-focusing geometry for efficient nonlinear frequency conversion from copper-vapor lasers

Author

Coutts, David W.

Author_Institution

Centre for Lasers & Applications, Macquarie Univ., North Ryde, NSW, Australia

Volume

31

Issue

12

fYear

1995

fDate

12/1/1995 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2208

Lastpage

2214

Abstract

Detailed parametric investigations of line foci for efficient nonlinear frequency conversion of copper-vapor lasers are presented. For a single medium-scale copper-vapor laser (nominally 20 W), the optimum focal geometry for efficient second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation in BBO is to focus a 3.75-mm-diameter beam into the crystal with an f=60 mm cylindrical lens, Using such a focal geometry, UV powers of up to 1.75 W (SHG of the green), 1.2 W (SHG yellow), and 1.5 W (SFG) have been produced with peak instantaneous conversion efficiency of up to 48%. Conversion efficiencies are most sensitive to the F-number of the cylindrical focusing, with the optimum F-number being approximately 16, and are relatively insensitive to the width of the focused beam

Keywords

copper; gas lasers; laser accessories; lenses; optical focusing; optical harmonic generation; optimisation; 1.2 W; 1.5 W; 1.75 W; 20 W; 3.75 mm; 48 percent; 60 mm; BaB₂O₄; Cu; UV powers; conversion efficiencies; copper-vapor lasers; cylindrical focusing; cylindrical lens; efficient nonlinear frequency conversion; efficient second-harmonic generation; focal geometry; focused beam width; line foci; line-focusing geometry; medium-scale copper-vapor laser; optimization; optimum F-number; optimum focal geometry; parametric investigations; peak instantaneous conversion efficiency; sum-frequency generation; Atom lasers; Frequency conversion; Geometrical optics; Geometry; Laser beams; Laser theory; Oscillators; Power generation; Power lasers; Thermal management;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.477748

Filename

477748