Diode-pumped optical parametric oscillator

Diode-pumped optical parametric oscillation has been demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge in a single Nd:MgO:LiNbO(3) nonlinear crystal. The crystal is pumped by a semiconductor diode laser array at 812 nm. The Nd(3+) ions absorb the 812-nm radiation to generate 1084-nm laser oscillation. On internal Q switching the 1084-nm radiation pumps the LiNbO(3) host crystal that is angle cut at 46.5 degrees and generates optical parametric oscillation. The oscillation threshold that is due to the 1084-nm laser pump with a pulse length of 80 ns in a 1-mm-diameter beam was measured to be approximately 1 mJ and produced 0.5-mJ output at 3400-nm signal wavelength.