Grating based optical parametric oscillator and method of dynamically tuning the oscillator for generating desired optical signals

I According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical parametric oscillator 2 (OPO) (e.g., for a laser transmitting device) includes non-linear optical media, optical beam 3 manipulating elements, and a narrow linewidth filter in the form of a rotatable grating. The 4 grating enables rapid tuning of the oscillator to provide an output beam with a desired 5 wavelength. A pump laser provides a pump laser beam, and the non-linear optical media 6 convert the pump beam into light beams with a signal wavelength and an idler wavelength. 7 The angular positions or orientations of the non-linear optical media relative to a longitudinal 8 propagation axis of the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) are adjustable to effectively tune 9 the resulting signal and idler wavelengths. An output coupler receives the resulting beams 10 from the non-linear optical media, and emits beams with the desired wavelength (signal and/or 11 idler wavelengths). C ~ E -') C>C-__ r -.--- - - - - - - - F -c L --- -- --- - -- --- - L -- - - - - - -