Solid state eyesafe converter for multimode YAG lasers

Glenn Andrew Grabon; William L. Moon; Gregory A. Witt; Larry G. Jones

doi:10.1117/12.177155

2 June 1994 Solid state eyesafe converter for multimode YAG lasers

Glenn Andrew Grabon, William L. Moon, Gregory A. Witt, Larry G. Jones

Proceedings Volume 2145, Nonlinear Optics for High-Speed Electronics and Optical Frequency Conversion; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.177155
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

We have developed and demonstrated a solid state wavelength converter that has potential for upgrading current military laser designator/rangefinders to include an eyesafe operating mode. To provide high repetition rate, compact design, and low weight in a unit that will perform under demanding environmental conditions, a KTP OPO was developed that can be pumped by the multi-axial and transverse-mode Nd:YAG lasers. Two resonator configurations were tested: forward and reverse coupling geometries. Neither configuration used 1.06-micrometers feedback, which eliminated any feedback problems into the pump resonator yet achieved GRT25% conversion. An increased margin of eyesafety was realized in the reverse coupled OPO by dumping the residual pump. Sensitivity to the pump's polarization was found to be 10% greater for hydrothermally grown crystals while flux grown crystals exhibited higher conversion efficiency. The beam quality of the converted signal tracked with the pump and scaled with the ratio of the wavelengths. OPO output coupling and resonator length were optimized for conversion efficiency. The final configuration using a 20 x 5 x 5 mm crystal was 3 to 4 inches in length, used a 50% signal reflector, and achieved greater than 35mJ output with a beam quality of 8.5 mm*mrads. Testing is currently underway to complete environmental characterization.

Citation Download Citation

Glenn Andrew Grabon, William L. Moon, Gregory A. Witt, and Larry G. Jones "Solid state eyesafe converter for multimode YAG lasers", Proc. SPIE 2145, Nonlinear Optics for High-Speed Electronics and Optical Frequency Conversion, (2 June 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.177155

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