Patent ID: 7593437
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A method of generating optical pulses, comprising the steps of: generating pulsed radiation having a first fundamental wavelength from a first laser, said first fundamental wavelength being between about 975 nm and 1150 nm; generating pulsed radiation having a second fundamental wavelength from a second laser, said second fundamental wavelength being between about 1500 nm and 1599 nm; frequency-multiplying said first-wavelength radiation to provide radiation having a wavelength which is a harmonic-wavelength of said first fundamental wavelength, said frequency multiplying step being performed using at least two, serially arranged non-linear crystals; in a first sum-frequency mixing step, sum-frequency mixing said harmonic-wavelength radiation with said second-fundamental-wavelength radiation to provide radiation having a first frequency-converted wavelength that is less than said harmonic-wavelength; and in a second sum-frequency mixing step, sum-frequency mixing said first frequency-converted-wavelength radiation with non-frequency multiplied, unconverted, second-fundamental-wavelength radiation to provide frequency-converted radiation having a second frequency-converted wavelength, said second frequency-converted wavelength being less than said first frequency-converted wavelength and being less than 200 nm.