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Abstract
An optical parametric oscillator produces optical parametric light and includes a frequency splitter to produce signal light and idler light; a wavelength selector to select a wavelength of the signal light and to produce optical parametric light from the selected wavelength of the signal light; and an optical frequency doubler to double an optical frequency of the optical parametric light.
Patent Description
This invention is a light source that provides high-power (1W to 5W), narrow line-width (<1 nm), quasi-continuous wave (80 MHz) light that can be tuned in wavelength from 340 nm to 2300 nm. See figure below. The light source is fully automated, solid state, and fits on a transportable table top. The light source is an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal pumped by a high power (20 W), 532 nm laser. By adjusting the temperature of the LBO crystal, the length of the optical cavity and the angle of prisms in the cavity, a wide range of wavelengths is obtained. The wavelength range is extended by using a bismuth borate (BiBO) frequency doubling crystal. We developed the system to enable the spectral responsivity calibration of large aperture optical instruments, in particular earth-observing satellite sensors. This system allows replacement of a suite of lasers used to span the spectral range (only some of which are automated) with a single fully automated system.
Features
Existing wavelength tunable light sources either do not cover the full spectral range, are not automated, have low power, or have a wide bandwidth. This system does not have these limitations.