What is it about?
A backward wave optical parametric oscillator (BWOPO) converts the wavelength of laser light highly efficiently in a simple and robust configuration. Reaching comparable efficiencies would typically involve complex setups employing electronic feedback loops. In a BWOPO, the physical mechanism provides feedback in a single crystal.
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Why is it important?
Traditional setups are great for converting laser wavelengths with pulse duration in the femtosecond or nanosecond regimes. However, a gap exists in converting pump light in the picosecond regime. A BWOPO closes this gap. Picosecond pulses in the infrared are, for example, essential in medical applications
Perspectives
Seeing how efficiently a BWOPO converts laser light in such a simple configuration was exciting.
Patrick Mutter
Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Phase-locked degenerate backward wave optical parametric oscillator, APL Photonics, January 2023, American Institute of Physics, DOI: 10.1063/5.0135589.
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