Mid-infrared ultrafast and continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators

This chapter provides an overview of optical parametric oscillators (OPOS), in the ultrafast picosecond and femtosecond time-scales as well as the continuous-wave (CW) regime, operating in the mid-infrared spectral range at wavelengths above similar to2 mum. The treatment includes a discussion of the basic principles of optical parametric generation and amplification, with emphasis on mid-infrared generation, fundamental material and pump laser requirements, and a review of the pertinent mid-infrared materials and phase-matching schemes. The main OPO device configurations and operating principles are highlighted, and the important recent advances in mid-infrared ultrafast and CW OPOs are summarized.