We present a continuous-wave dual-crystal optical parametric oscillator that generates signal waves of about 1.4μmwavelength with a tunable difference frequency 1ν between 0.64 and 5.3 THz. A model of the parametric gain in such a system indicates that the lowest reachable value for 1ν depends on the refractive index dispersion of the nonlinear material used. As a proof of principle, we demonst...

We analyze the output of a degenerate optical parametric amplifier using a different approach to understanding and characterizing multimode squeezed light. This approach is based on the concept of eigenmodes of the squeezing and predicts the mode structure of the local oscillator that should be used in order to measure the smallest quadrature noise. Although the importance of mode matching is w...

We report on the first realization of an ultrafast Airy beam optical parametric oscillator (OPO). By introducing intracavity cubic phase modulation to the resonant Gaussian signal in a synchronously-pumped singly-resonant OPO cavity and its subsequent Fourier transformation, we have generated 2-dimensional Airy beam in the output signal across a 250 nm tuning range in the near-infrared. The gen...

We measured 90% pump depletion in a singly resonant image-rotating nanosecond optical parametric oscillator that was pulse-injection seeded by a self-generated signal pulse. The oscillator was pumped by an 8 ns duration single-frequency 532 nm pulse from an injection-seeded Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and resonated an 803 nm signal. The pump and pulsed-seed beams had flat-topped spatial fluence pro...

We present a solution to the minimum time control problem for a classical harmonic oscillator to reach a target energy ET from a given initial state (qi, pi) by controlling its frequency ω,ωmin ω ωmax. A brief synopsis of optimal control theory is included and the solution for the harmonic oscillator problem is used to illustrate the theory. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in t...

The feasibility and extraordinary properties of mirrorless optical parametric oscillations in a microscopic strongly absorbing slab of negative-index metamaterial are shown. They stem from the backwardness of electromagnetic waves inherent with this type of metamaterial.

The phenomenon of parametric resonance in a linear system arising from a periodic modulation of its parameter is investigated both analytically and with the help of a computer simulation based on the educational software package PHYSICS OF OSCILLATIONS (see in the web http://www.aip.org/pas). The simulation experiments aid greatly an understanding of basic principles and peculiarities of parame...

The phenomenon of parametric resonance is explained and investigated both analytically and with the help of a computer simulation. Parametric excitation is studied for the example of the rotary oscillations of a simple linear system— mechanical torsion spring pendulum excited by periodic variations of its moment of inertia. Conditions and characteristics of parametric resonance and regeneration...

The frequency-tuning and -control properties of monolithic doubly resonant optical parametric oscillators are analyzed for stable single-mode pump radiation. Single-axial-mode operation is observed on the idler and the signal for both pulsed and continuous pumping. Projections are made for tuning-parameter tolerances that are required for maintenance of stable single-frequency oscillation. Cont...

We demonstrate what is to our knowledge the first synchronously pumped high-gain optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with feedback through a single-mode fiber. This device generates 2.3-2.7 W of signal power in 700-900-fs pulses tunable in a wavelength range from 1429 to 1473 nm. The necessary high gain was obtained from a periodically poled LiTaO(3) crystal pumped with as much as 8.2 W of powe...