Title :
Efficient harmonic generation with a broad-band laser
Author :
Skeldon, Mark D. ; Craxton, R. Stephen ; Kessler, Terrance J. ; Seka, Wolf ; Short, Robert W. ; Skupsky, Stanley ; Soures, John M.
Author_Institution :
Lab. for Laser Energetics, Rochester Univ., NY, USA
fDate :
5/1/1992 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Harmonic generation using a broadband input beam is studied theoretically and experimentally. Angular spectral dispersion is imposed on the input beam to improve the phase matching and thereby increase the conversion efficiency. The coupled amplitude equations are derived for a grating-dispersed input beam, and it is shown that, in the parameter range of interest, a simple theoretical model based on the intuitive concept of instantaneous frequency suffices to describe the nonlinear interaction. A laser having a frequency-chirped output with a 25-Å bandwidth is used to demonstrate the technique for third-harmonic generation in the small-signal regime
Keywords :
laser beams; optical harmonic generation; angular spectral dispersion; broad-band laser; broadband input beam; conversion efficiency; coupled amplitude equations; frequency-chirped output; grating-dispersed input beam; nonlinear interaction; phase matching; simple theoretical model; small-signal regime; third-harmonic generation; Bandwidth; Equations; Frequency conversion; Laser beams; Laser fusion; Laser mode locking; Laser modes; Laser theory; Optical harmonic generation; Variable speed drives;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
