The
IR-OPA (InfraRed Optical Parametric Amplifier) is a white
light continuum seeded optical parametric amplifier (OPA)
operated with a 775-femtosecond pump pulse from the Model
CPA-2001 Amplified Ti:Sapphire laser system. A combination
of continuum generation and parametric amplification allows
the user to continuously tune the output wavelength from 1.5µm
to 2.5µm with no change in optics.
Pumped
with 1mJ energy per pulse in sub-150fs pulsewidths at 775nm,
1kHz repetition rate, IR-OPA produces more than 100µJ
energy per pulse at 1.58µm in sub-150fs pulsewidths.
There are three stages in the optical configuration: a white
light continuum generator, a pre-amplifier and a power amplifier.
Optical delays ensure exact synchronization between the three
stages. A fresh pump beam coupled with optimized pumping levels
and focusing for each stage ensures high spatial beam quality
at the system output. Near transform-limited performance is
achieved from the IR-OPA.
Frequency
doubling of the fundamental covers wavelengths in the range
of 575nm to 1150nm. Frequency quadrupling the fundamental
further extends the coverage down to 300nm. Dichroic mirrors
are included to separate the signals from the idlers at the
different harmonics. Difference frequency mixing offers wavelengths
up to 15µm.
Specifications:
| Pump:
0.8mJ, 150fs, Near TEM00 @ 1KHz, 775nm |
Output |
| Wavelength
range |
1.15µm
- 2.5µm |
| Energy
per pulse |
>100µJ
@ 1.5µm (signal) |
| Pulsewidth |
<150fs
@ 1.3µm |
| Shot-to-shot
noise |
<±3% |
| Polarization
signal |
Linear,
vertical |
idler
|
Linear,
horizontal |
General |
| Size |
15"
x 32.5" x 9" |
| Electrical/Water
|
None |
| Time/Bandwidth
Product |
<1.9
x transform limit |
| Beam
Profile |
M²
< 1.9 |
| Peak
Power Extinction Ratio |
>1000:1 |
