Efficient high repetition rate ns-OPO for the generation of continuously tunable UV radiation

Summary form only given. Pulsed tunable UV radiation is of interest for applications like CRD spectroscopy or detection of atmospheric trace gases with the LIDAR technique. In such applications the use of high repetition rate UV laser sources significantly improves the detection sensitivity. We report on an all solid-state laser system which meets the requirements in respect to tuning range, bandwidth, repetition rate and output power. The system consists of a frequency doubled BBO OPO pumped by the 3rd harmonic of a diode pumped kHz Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.