Progress in 1-μm Pumped Mid-IR Optical Parametric Oscillators Based on Non-Oxide Nonlinear Crystals

Pumping mid-IR optical parametric oscillators near 1 μm is attractive for its simplicity and power scaling capability. To this aim, wide bandgap non-oxide nonlinear crystals are needed. This paper reviews the recent developments in crystal growth and singly resonant optical parametric oscillators for the generation of high single pulse energy and average powers in the mid-IR from 3 to 10 μm.