Efficient difference frequency oscillator based on a Ti:sapphire laser

The problem of expanding the Ti:sapphire laser wavelength range by generating difference (sum) frequencies is discussed. The authors present a high-efficiency coherent radiation source, based on a Ti:sapphire laser and a nonlinear LiIO/sub 3/ crystal, operating in the spectral range from 0.34 to 2.3 mu m. For this purpose a Ti:sapphire dual-wavelength laser has been developed where the process of self-synchronization of both channels has been realized. A difference frequency oscillator with 2w/sub s/-2w/sub l/ and 2w/sub l/-w/sub s/, including the spectral range from 0.503 to 0.79 and from 0.83 to 2.3 mu m, has been realized. A detailed study of the temporal characteristics of Ti:sapphire lasing is given, the development of methods for mixed pulse overlapping is discussed, and other subjects, such as configuration of widely tunable coherent radiation sources, are addressed.<
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