Highly efficient, high average power, narrowband, pump-tunable BWOPO.

We demonstrate a continuously tunable mid-infrared source that produces narrowband radiation at 1981 nm and 2145 nm based on a tunable Yb-based hybrid MOPA pump and a backward-wave optical parametric oscillator (BWOPO). The BWOPO employs a PPRKTP crystal with 580 nm domain periodicity. The BWOPO has a record-low oscillation threshold of 19.2 MW/cm2 and generates mJ level output with an overall efficiency exceeding 70%, reaching an average power of 5.65W at the repetition rate of 5 kHz. The system is mechanically robust and optical cavity-free, making it suitable for spectroscopic systems on mobile platforms. The mid-infrared signal frequency is tuned by pump tuning with a linear pump-to-signal frequency translation rate close to the predicted 1 to 1.001 Hz/Hz.

Range-resolved detection of boundary layer stable water vapor isotopologues using a ground-based 1.98 µm differential absorption LIDAR.

This paper presents a first demonstration of range-resolved differential absorption LIDAR (DIAL) measurements of the water vapor main isotopologue H2 16O and the less abundant semi-heavy water isotopologue HD16O with the aim of determining the isotopic ratio. The presented Water Vapor and Isotope Lidar (WaVIL) instrument is based on a parametric laser source emitting nanosecond pulses at 1.98 µm and a direct-detection receiver utilizing a commercial InGaAs PIN photodiode. Vertical profiles of H2 16O and HD16O were acquired in the planetary boundary layer in the suburban Paris region up to a range of 1.5 km. For time averaging over 25 min, the achieved precision in the retrieved water vapor mixing ratio is 0.1 g kg-1 (2.5% relative error) at 0.4 km above ground level (a.g.l.) and 0.6 g kg-1 (20%) at 1 km a.g.l. for 150 m range bins along the LIDAR line of sight. For HD16O, weaker absorption has to be balanced with coarser vertical resolution (600 m range bins) in order to achieve similar relative precision. From the DIAL measurements of H2 16O and HD16O, the isotopic abundance δD was estimated as -51‰ at 0.4 km above the ground and -119‰ in the upper part of the boundary layer at 1.3 km a.g.l. Random and systematic errors are discussed in the form of an error budget, which shows that further instrumental improvements are required on the challenging path towards DIAL-profiling of the isotopic abundance with range resolution and precision suitable for water cycle studies.

Actively Q-switched tunable single-longitudinal-mode 2†µm Tm:YAP laser using a transversally chirped volume Bragg grating.

A pulsed, single longitudinal mode, wavelength-tunable Tm:YAP laser is reported. We demonstrate 1 kHz stable operation with 230 µJ, 50 ns pulses and a spectrum linewidth narrowed below 4 pm (FWHM) close to the Fourier transform limit by use of a volume Bragg grating and a YAG etalon. The output wavelength was tuned from 1940 to 1960 nm owing to a transverse chirp of the period of the Bragg grating.

Wavelength tunable, single-longitudinal-mode optical parametric oscillator with a transversally chirped volume Bragg grating.

We report on single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) operation of a low-threshold optical parametric oscillator, with a 17 nm tunability near 2 µm. The oscillator uses a MgO:PPLN crystal in Type 0 quasi-phase-matching configuration, pumped by a 1.064 µm SLM laser. Despite the huge acceptance bandwidth near-degeneracy of MgO:PPLN, spectral selection down to a SLM is achieved by combining a volume Bragg reflector and Vernier filtering in nested signal and idler cavities. Tunability over 17 nm is demonstrated owing to a transverse chirp of the grating period of the Bragg reflector.

Long-wave infrared multi-wavelength IPDA lidar for standoff detection of chemical warfare agents: theoretical study.

We discuss and evaluate the expected performance of a tunable multi-wavelength integrated-path differential absorption lidar operating in the long-wave infrared between 7.5 and 11 µm, for standoff measurement of chemical agents. Interference issues with natural gas compounds throughout the entire 7.5-11 µm band are first discussed. Then, the study focuses on four interest species, three warfare agents, and a simulant. A performance model is derived and exploited to assess the expectable measurement precision of the lidar for these four species in the integrated-path mode within a 2 min alert time and seventeen emitted wavelengths. Measurement precisions better than the targeted sensitivity levels look reachable at the kilometer range with laser power below 100 mW. Performance optimization strategies are discussed, either by adjusting the pulse energy/pulse repetition rate for a given laser power and lidar range or by reducing the wavelength sequence in an optimal way. Finally the system's receiving operating characteristic curves are derived to describe the expected detection performance in terms of probability of false alarm rate and probability of detection.

Long-wave infrared multi-wavelength optical source for standoff detection of chemical warfare agents.

We have designed and built a wavelength-tunable optical source for standoff detection of gaseous chemicals by differential absorption spectrometry in the long-wave infrared. It is based on a nanosecond 2 µm single-frequency optical parametric oscillator, whose idler wave is amplified in large aperture Rb:PPKTP crystals. The signal and idler waves are mixed in ZnGeP2 crystals to produce single-frequency tunable radiation in the 7.5-10.5 µm range. The source was integrated into a direct detection lidar to measure sarin and sulfur mustard inside a closed chamber, in an integrated path configuration with a noncooperative target.

Coherent combining of mid-infrared difference frequency generators.

We report what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimental demonstration of coherent combining of two mid-infrared difference frequency generators by active phase control in the continuous-wave regime. Using the phase relation that is inherent to the nonlinear process, we are able to phase lock and combine the idler waves by the sole phase control of one of the pump waves. This control is done by an all-fiber electro-optic modulator. Combining is achieved with an excellent efficiency with a residual phase error of λ/28.

Quartz Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Based on a Custom Quartz Tuning Fork.

We have designed and fabricated a custom quartz tuning fork (QTF) with a reduced fundamental frequency; a larger gap between the prongs; and the best quality factor in air at atmospheric conditions ever reported, to our knowledge. Acoustic microresonators have been added to the QTF in order to enhance the sensor sensitivity. We demonstrate a normalized noise equivalent absorption (NNEA) of 3.7 × 10-9 W.cm-1.Hz-1/2 for CO2 detection at atmospheric pressure. The influence of the inner diameter and length of the microresonators has been studied, as well as the penetration depth between the QTF's prongs. We investigated the acoustic isolation of our system and measured the Allan deviation of the sensor.

Spectrotemporal dynamics of a picosecond OPO based on chirped quasi-phase-matching: erratum.

This erratum is to correct an error made in our paper [Opt. Lett.40, 280 (2015)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.40.000280] regarding the sign of the quasi-phase matching chirp rate.

Coherent combining of second-harmonic generators by active phase control of the fundamental waves.

Coherent beam combining by active phase control could be useful for power scaling fiber-laser-pumped optical frequency converters. However, a fast phase modulator operating at the frequency-converted wavelength, a non-standard component, would be necessary. Fortunately, nonlinear conversion processes rely on a phase-matching condition allowing for indirect phase control using standard phase modulators. In this Letter, coherent combining of second-harmonic generators is demonstrated in both birefringent and quasi-phase-matching schemes in CW regime. Phase control operates at the fundamental wavelength, using all-fiber electro-optic modulators. An excellent beam combination is achieved with a residual phase error of λ/30 on the second-harmonic wave.

Atmospheric boundary layer CO2 remote sensing with a direct detection LIDAR instrument based on a widely tunable optical parametric source.

We report on the capability of a direct detection differential absorption lidar (DIAL) for range resolved and integrated path (IPDIAL) remote sensing of CO2 in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The laser source is an amplified nested cavity optical parametric oscillator (NesCOPO) emitting approximately 8 mJ at the two measurement wavelengths selected near 2050 nm. Direct detection atmospheric measurements are taken from the ground using a 30 Hz frequency switching between emitted wavelengths. Results show that comparable precision measurements are achieved in DIAL and IPDIAL modes (not better than a few ppm) on high SNR targets such as near range ABL aerosol and clouds, respectively. Instrumental limitations are analyzed and degradation due to cloud scattering variability is discussed to explain observed DIAL and IPDIAL limitations.

Rapidly tunable optical parametric oscillator based on aperiodic quasi-phase matching.

A new optical parametric oscillator (OPO) architecture with high tuning speed capability is demonstrated. This device exploits the versatility offered by aperiodic quasi-phase matching (QPM) to provide a broad parametric gain spectrum without changing the temperature, angle, or position of the nonlinear crystal. Rapid tuning is then straightforwardly achieved using a fast intracavity spectral filter. This concept is demonstrated here for a picosecond synchronously pumped OPO containing an aperiodically poled MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystal and a rapidly tunable spectral filter based on a diffraction grating. Tuning over 160 nm around 3.86 µm is achieved at fixed temperature and a fast tuning over 30 nm in 40 µs is demonstrated. Different configurations are tested and compared. The cavity length detuning is analyzed and discussed. This device is successfully used to detect N2O by absorption. This approach could be generalized to other spectral ranges (e.g., visible) and temporal regimes (e.g., continuous-wave or nanosecond).

Wide and fast dispersion tuning of a picosecond OPO based on aperiodic quasi-phase matching using an axially chirped volume Bragg grating.

We report on a widely tunable synchronously pumped picosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) combining an aperiodically poled MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystal as a broadband gain medium and an axially chirped volume Bragg grating as a spectral filtering dispersive element. Translation of the Bragg grating along the beam axis enables wavelength tuning over 215 nm around 3.82 µm and provides spectral narrowing. Rapid continuous tuning over 150 nm in 100 ms is demonstrated.

Dual-wavelength source from 5%MgO:PPLN cylinders for the characterization of nonlinear infrared crystals.

We conceived a unique fully parametric source based on two independent cylindrical OPOs simultaneously pumped by the same Nd:YAG laser. Each OPO delivers more than 2 mJ and is continuously tunable between 1.41 µm and 4.3 µm. This source is of particular interest for the study of the generation of infrared parametric light in nonlinear crystals. It was validated by performing difference frequency generation experiments in CdSe crystals with output in the range 8 - 10 µm.

Tunable optical parametric amplification of a single-frequency quantum cascade laser around 8 µm in ZnGeP2.

We demonstrate optical parametric amplification in ZnGeP(2) (ZGP) of the radiation emitted by a single-frequency continuous-wave quantum cascade laser (QCL) in the range 7.8-8.4 µm. The ZGP amplifier is pumped by a single-frequency parametric source at 2210 nm. For a pump energy of 6 mJ, we report an average gain of 50 over this range and a maximum gain of 111 for 7.5 mJ. An exponential trend is observed when changing the pump energy, with very good agreement with theory. These features are of valuable interest for increasing the standoff detection range of hazardous chemicals and explosives by QCL-based backscattering spectroscopy systems.

Microsecond fiber laser pumped, single-frequency optical parametric oscillator for trace gas detection.

We report on the first microsecond doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO). It is based on a nested cavity OPO architecture allowing single longitudinal mode operation and low oscillation threshold (few microjoule). The combination with a master oscillator-power amplifier fiber pump laser provides a versatile optical source widely tunable in the 3.3-3.5 µm range with an adjustable pulse repetition rate (from 40 to 100 kHz), high duty cycle (~10(-2)) and mean power (up to 25 mW in the idler beam). The potential for trace gas sensing applications is demonstrated through photoacoustic detection of atmospheric methane.

Picosecond tunable mode locking of a Cr2+:ZnSe laser with a nonlinear mirror.

We report on a nonlinear mirror (NLM) scheme that enables, for the first time to the best of our best knowledge, tunable mode locking of a Cr2+:ZnSe laser in the picosecond regime. The NLM-used as the output coupler of the laser cavity-consists of a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal with a fan-out grating coupled with a dichroic mirror and a wedged dispersive YAG plate. The Cr2+:ZnSe laser, pumped by a CW thulium-doped fiber laser, delivers 85 ps pulses at a repetition rate of 220 MHz with a 300 mW average power. Thanks to the use of a fan-out PPLN crystal, we benefit from the wide tunability of the Cr2+:ZnSe laser and achieve mode locking over the whole 2.44-2.55 µm range while maintaining a narrow-linewidth emission suitable for time-resolved nonlinear spectroscopy applications.

Picosecond synchronously pumped ZnGeP2 optical parametric oscillator.

We report on the experimental operation of a picosecond, singly resonant, synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (SPOPO) based on a ZnGeP(2) (ZGP) crystal. The ZGP SPOPO is pumped with the idler radiation from a diffraction-grating-tuned periodically poled lithium niobate SPOPO emitting a continuous picosecond pulse train (Delta tau approximately 8 ps, f=76 MHz). The noncritically 90 degree phase-matched ZGP SPOPO is tuned in the 3.8-5.6 microm range by tuning the pump wavelength (2.25-2.5 microm). As high as approximately 800 mW of average power is emitted at 4 microm.

New Signal Processing for Fast and Precise QEPAS Measurements.

Quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) gas sensors have been widely developed over the last decade. This technique takes the advantage of a high quality factor tuning fork to enable high-sensitivity and high-selectivity miniature gas sensors. Lock-in detection is classically used to measure the resonator amplitude, which is proportional to the gas concentration, but this technique is slow and leads to measurement drifts as it does not follow the resonator frequency drifts over temperature and pressure. This article presents a new QEPAS signal processing technique that allows faster and more stable measurements that will enable accurate and fast multigas sensors.

High spectral purity and tunable operation of a continuous singly resonant optical parametric oscillator emitting in the red.

Continuous-wave oscillation of a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator operating from 619 to 640 nm has been obtained. Parametric gain is created in a MgO-doped periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate crystal pumped at 532 nm. 100 mW of single-frequency red light have been generated. The signal frequency is tunable, and its frequency stabilization on an external reference has been achieved.