Coherent combining of optical parametric oscillators: challenges and experimental results

P. Bourdon; R. Chtouki; A. Durécu; L. Lombard; C. Planchat; A. Godard

doi:10.1117/12.2576878

5 March 2021 Coherent combining of optical parametric oscillators: challenges and experimental results

P. Bourdon, R. Chtouki, A. Durécu, L. Lombard, C. Planchat, A. Godard

Proceedings Volume 11670, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XX; 116700H (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2576878
Event: SPIE LASE, 2021, Online Only

Abstract

Previous demonstrations of coherent combination of continuous-wave difference frequency generators (DFG) emitting at 3.4 μm have proved that coherent beam combining (CBC) by active phase control could be useful for power scaling fiber-laser-pumped optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). We developed an experiment using indirect phase control to demonstrate coherent combining of mid-infrared optical parametric oscillators. The main improvement from DFG combining is the enhancement in generated power and in conversion efficiency brought by the OPO cavity. But there’s also an additional challenge: to be able to control the cavity modes of the OPO accurately to perform simultaneously real-time wavelength and phase control. In this paper, we present the difficulties encountered to perform efficient coherent combining of mid-infrared emitting OPOs. We detail the different OPO cavity configurations we tested and compare theoretical assessment of their threshold with measurements. The first results of coherent combining of continuous-wave OPOs are then given as well as the methods we use to couple the wavelength and phase control feedback loops. Future work on the combining of pulsed OPOs is finally introduced as well as a comparison between pulsed laser combining and pulsed OPO combining limitations.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

P. Bourdon, R. Chtouki, A. Durécu, L. Lombard, C. Planchat, and A. Godard "Coherent combining of optical parametric oscillators: challenges and experimental results", Proc. SPIE 11670, Nonlinear Frequency Generation and Conversion: Materials and Devices XX, 116700H (5 March 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2576878

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