Patent ID: 6751010
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A low-finesse optical parametric oscillator for generating optical outputs at a signal wavelength and an idler wavelength, comprising:an optical cavity comprising first and second coupling mirrors bounding said optical cavity, wherein the optical output at the signal wavelength is transmitted from one of the first and second coupling mirrors, and the optical output at the idler wavelength is transmitted from the other of the first and second coupling mirrors; a pump laser supplying pump energy to said optical cavity at a pump wavelength; and a non-linear optical medium disposed within said optical cavity and configured to convert energy at the pump wavelength to energy at the signal and idler wavelengths; wherein said first and second coupling mirrors have reflectivities which partially resonate energy at each of the pump, signal and idler wavelengths, thereby producing an etalon effect which enhances energy conversion efficiency from the pump wavelength to the signal and idler wavelengths.