title: High-efficiency 20-50 kHz mid-infrared orientation-patterned GaAs optical parametric oscillator pumped by a 2 microm holmium laser.
abstract: We report on what are, to our knowledge, the best results obtained with an orientation-patterned GaAs optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a Q-switched 2 microm Ho:YAG laser. Up to 2.85 W are obtained for 6.1 W of pump power, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 46.5% with a threshold of 1 W. Optical damage occurred at a fluence of about 2 J/cm2. The thickness of the crystal limited the pump power. Slope efficiencies are of the same order as those obtained with ZnGeP2 OPOs pumped with the same Ho:YAG laser.
authors.affiliation: French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis ISL, Saint Louis, France. christelle.kieleck@isl.eu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kieleck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eichhorn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirth
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lallier