Modeling and design of singly-resonant optical parametric oscillator with an intracavity idler absorber for enhanced conversion efficiency for the signal

Abstract

We present modeling and design of singly-resonant optical parametric oscillator (SR-OPO) with an intracavity idler absorber to enhance the conversion efficiency for the signal, by suppressing the back conversion of the signal and idler to the pump. Following plane wave analysis, we arrive at the optimum parameters of the OPO to achieve high conversion efficiency for the signal. For a given pump intensity, we have analyzed the effect of position and number of absorbers required for optimum performance of the device. The model is also extended to the case in which the signal is absorbed, yielding higher conversion efficiency for the idler (in mid-IR region). The magnitude of absorption and the effect of inter-crystal phase shift on the conversion efficiency are also discussed. We also present an analytical solution for twin-crystal SR-OPO with an absorber in between; taking into account the variation of signal amplitude inside the cavity, we re-affirm that the often used 'constant signal-wave approximation' is valid if the reflectivity of the output coupler is high for the signal.