Development of a Tunable, High-Resolution, Laser System with an Injection-Seeded Optical Parametric Oscillator Cavity

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, College Station TX

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CTS-0113206 R. Lucht, Texas A&M University Components are acquired for development of a tunable, high-resolution optical parametric oscillator (OPO) laser source. The system features a resonant, electronically locked ring-oscillator cavity that is injection-seeded with tunable diode laser radiation. The pump source for the OPO system is a Q-switched injection-seeded Nd:YAG laser. In addition to serving as the pump source for the OPO cavity, the fundamental (1064 nm) and harmonic (532 nm, 355 nm, and 266 nm) laser radiation from the YAG laser is used in sum-frequency generation (SFG) processes to convert the near infrared output of the OPO into visible or ultraviolet radiation. This source will greatly improve applicability and accuracy of a wide variety of laser diagnostic techniques. Specific examples include ultraviolet polarization spectroscopy (PS) of hydroxyl and nitric oxide, amplified stimulated emission (ASE) of the carbon atom, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) of the hydrogen molecule.