465 nm laser sources by intracavity frequency doubling using a 49-edge-emitters laser bar.

A compact blue laser was generated by intracavity frequency doubling based on quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation (SHG) in a MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate bulk crystal. A 49 single-transverse-mode edge-emitters laser bar with antireflective coating was used as a pump source. An optical output power of 1.2 W SHG of blue lights at 465 nm is generated at 45 A injection current, equivalent to an overall wall-plug efficiency of 1.33%.

Blue light generated by intra-cavity frequency doubling of an edge-emitting diode laser with a periodically poled LiNbO3 crystal.

We demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge intra-cavity frequency doubling (ICFD) of an edge-emitter diode laser using a 10 mm-long 5.0 microm periodically poled LiNbO(3) (PPLN) crystal. An optical output power of 33 mW second harmonic blue light at 490.5 nm is generated at 1.0 A injection current, equivalent to an overall wall-plug efficiency of 1.8%. The measured M(2) values of blue beam are 1.7 and 2.4 along the fast and slow axis.

Compact 1.3 W green laser by intracavity frequency doubling of a multi-edge-emitter laser bar using a MgO:PPLN crystal.

A compact green laser of 1.3 W output at 534.7 nm is generated by intracavity frequency doubling (ICFD) of a 49 edge-emitter laser bar using a MgO-doped (PPLN) bulk crystal. The measured M(2) values of green beam are 12.1 and 2.9 along the slow and fast axes, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the ICFD of multi-edge-emitters laser bar.

Demonstration of 100 GHz electrically tunable liquid-crystal Bragg gratings for application in dynamic optical networks.

We demonstrate liquid-crystal-based integrated optical devices with >140 GHz electrical tuning for potential applications in dynamic optical networks. Bragg wavelength tuning covering five 25 GHz wavelength-division multiplexing channel spacing has been achieved with 170 V (peak-to-peak) sinusoidal voltages applied across electropatterned indium tin oxide-covered glass electrodes placed 60 microm apart. This tunability range was limited only by the initial grating strength and supply voltage level. We also observed two distinct threshold behaviors that manifest during increase of supply voltage, resulting in a hysteresis in the tuning curve for both TE and TM input light.

Line defects and temperature effects in liquid crystal tunable planar Bragg gratings.

Liquid crystal tunable planar Bragg Gratings produced by Direct UV Writing are capable of wavelength tuning of over 100GHz. However, such devices exhibit non-linear tuning curves with threshold points and hysteresis. We show that these effects are due to the formation of disclination structures in the liquid crystal and discuss the role of electrode defects and sample temperature on wavelength tuning.

Single-mode direct-ultraviolet-written channel waveguide laser in neodymium-doped silica on silicon.

A waveguide laser with a neodymium-doped silica core is fabricated on a silicon substrate by a combination of flame hydrolysis deposition, solution doping, and direct UV writing. The neodymium-ion concentration is estimated to be approximately 8000 parts in 10(5). The propagation loss around 1.05 microns is < 0.8 dB/cm. Lasing in the range 1048-1056 nm and 1356 +/- 1 nm is observed. A slope efficiency of 33% for a high-reflectivity output coupler and a threshold of 4 mW of absorbed power for a 25% output coupler are measured for the 4F3/2-->4I11/2 transition.

Direct ultraviolet writing of channel waveguides in congruent lithium niobate single crystals.

We report the fabrication of optical channel waveguides in congruent lithium niobate single crystals by direct writing with continuous-wave ultraviolet frequency-doubled Ar+ laser radiation (244 nm). The properties and performance of such waveguides are investigated, and first results are presented.

Extended operation of synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillators to longer idler wavelengths.

A synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator, based on periodically poled lithium niobate, has operated at idler wavelengths out to 7.3 microm . Directly measured idler output powers (average) are 4.2 mW at 6.1 microm, 0.5 mW at 7.0 microm, and 0.04 mW at 7.25 microm . Characterization of the idler output indicates essentially bandwidth-limited and diffraction-limited operation.

Second-harmonic generation in a direct-bonded periodically poled LiNbO(3) buried waveguide.

We report the fabrication of a 12-mum -thick periodically poled LiNbO(3) planar waveguide buried in LiTaO(3) by direct bonding of precision-polished surfaces. Frequency doubling of the 1064-nm output of a cw diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser was performed in a 5.5-mm-long device with a 6.50-mum -period grating at an elevated temperature of 174 degrees C. The resultant green second-harmonic output exhibited fundamental-spatial-mode characteristics at a 4.3%W(-1) conversion efficiency.