Transient dynamics of intracavity differencefrequency generator pumped by a semiconductor disk laser

The multi-mode transient power characteristics of an intracavity difference-frequency generator is described. The reason for unattainability of single-mode emission in the device without an additional frequency-selective element (e.g., a Fabry-Perot etalon) is clarified. It is shown that the dynamics of a short-wavelength emission (pump) results mainly from the nonlinear optical interaction, while that of the longer-wavelength optical fields (signal and idler) depends on selectivity of the etalon.