Continuous-wave singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO4

We report a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled RbTiOAsO4 (PPRTA). The singly resonant OPO, which is located within a Ti:sapphire laser, has a high-finesse signal cavity and delivers a maximum output power of 270 mW to the nonresonant idler wave at 2.92 mu m, through a 4.5-mm PPRTA crystal. For room-temperature operation and a crystal with a 30-mu m grating period, pump tuning over 838-848 nm results in OPO turning over 1.13-1.27 mu m (signal) and 2.53-3.26 mu m (idler), limited by the bandwidth of optical coatings. PPRTA exhibits thermal properties superior to those of periodically poled LiNbO3. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.