Wavelength tunable parametric mid-IR source pumped by a high power picosecond thin-disk laser

High average power wavelength tunable picosecond mid-IR source based on parametric down-conversion is being developed. The conversion system is pumped by a Yb:YAG thin-disk laser delivering 100 W of average power at 100 kHz repetition rate, 1030 nm wavelength, and 3 ps pulse width. First, part of the beam pumps an optical parametric generator (OPG) consisting of a PPLN crystal. The generated wavelength is determined by PPLN's poling period and temperature. Signal beam covered wavelength range between 1.46 mu m and 1.95 mu m. The corresponding idler wavelengths are 3.5 mu m and 2.18 mu m, respectively. Signal beam of about 20 mW was generated at 2 W pumping and double pass arrangement of the OPG stage. The signal pulse energy is further boosted in an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) consisting of two KTP crystals. The signal beam was amplified to 2 W at pumping of 38 W. The idler beam is taken out of the OPA stage as well. Wavelength tuning by KTP crystals' phase-matching angle change was achieved in ranges and 1.7-1.95 mu m and 2.18-2.62 mu m for signal and idler beam, respectively.