Visible laser sources based on frequency doubling in nonlinear waveguides

This paper reviews nonlinear quasi-phase-matching (QPM) waveguides and laser diodes with application to conversion of infrared laser diode wavelengths to the visible. The discussion of nonlinear QPM waveguides includes Ti-diffusion poled and E-field poled LiNbO/sub 3/ and KTP waveguides. Up to 25 mW of blue output power has been demonstrated for 120-mW infrared power injected into a nonlinear waveguide. Semiconductor laser sources suitable for frequency doubling are discussed, including distributed Bragg reflection (DBR) lasers operating at up to 200 mW output power, master oscillator power amplifiers with over 1 W output power, and wavelength-tunable flared semiconductor lasers with over 0.5 W output. A compact blue laser with 1-4 mW output power at 425-nm wavelength has been demonstrated based on a DBR laser frequency doubled in a nonlinear waveguide.