Numerical analysis of ultra-short pulse wavelength conversion characteristics of LiNbO3 waveguide nonlinear-optic devices

The pulse wavelength conversion characteristics of various nonlinear optical processes in LiNbO3 waveguide nonlinear optic devices are analyzed by the beam propagation method. Detailed data for estimation of device characteristics and for optimal device design for a 1.5‐µm‐band signal are presented. The following results are obtained. (1) The conversion efficiency of second harmonic generation decreases as the pulse width of the input pump wave is decreased, and is improved as the device length is increased in the range where the walkoff between the optical waves is short. (2) In difference frequency generation, the optical pulse width of the difference frequency is close to that of the input signal wave. In continuous wave pumping, high efficiency is realized by increasing the device length. (3) In cascade second harmonic generation/difference frequency generation, high efficiency can be realized by increasing the device length in both continuous wave pumping and difference frequency pumping. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(3): 11–20, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.1118