Pulse breakdown in synchronised optical parametric oscillator

Summary form only given. Recent advances in optical parametric oscillators (OPO) design has led to increased power and extended wavelength ranges. The simple phase matching condition no longer describes the complex behavior of these novel systems. In the case of a synchronously pumped monolithic signal resonated OPO based on periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/ (PPLN) crystal we have observed spectral pulse breakdown as a function of the OPO cavity length. Physically, this is due to the delay between pump and signal at each round trip. Their ultra short pulse duration necessitates taking into account their spectral distribution, group velocity mismatch (GVM), and group velocity dispersion (GVD). We consider several models to describe these different phenomena.