| abstract |
A wavelength conversion device is formed by adding a laser-active material to a nonlinear optical crystal, and creating a phase-matching structure in the crystal. Light of a first wavelength excites the laser-active material, generating laser light of a second wavelength. Nonlinear optical effects then generate further wavelengths, such as the second harmonic of the first wavelength, the second harmonic of the second wavelength, the sum frequency of the first and second wavelengths, and the difference frequency of the first and second wavelengths. Multiple output wavelengths are thereby obtained from a single input wavelength. Because of the phase matching structure, the output is aligned in the same direction as the input light. |