Fundamentals of Optical Parametric Processes and Oscillations

Tang, Alice M.

• Introduction to the Series -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Classical Theory of Optical Parametric Amplification -- 2.1 Phase-matching conditions and tuning characteristics -- 2.2 Parametric amplification as a repeated difference-frequency generation process -- 2.3 Coupled-wave and coupled-amplitude equations -- 2.4 Large-signal theory of parametric interaction -- 2.5 Bandwidth of the optical parametric process -- 3. Quantum Theory of Optical Parametric Processes -- 3.1 The field Hamiltonian for the optical parametric process -- 3.2 Transition probability and the initial and final states -- 3.3 Spontaneous parametric emission -- 4. Optical Parametric Oscillators -- 4.1 Oscillation threshold conditions -- 4.2 Large signal theory of parametric oscillators -- 4.3 Practical efficiency considerations -- 4.4 Parametric oscillator tuning and linewidth considerations -- 4.5 Optical damage -- 5. M aterials, Properties and Characterization -- 5.1 Material requirements -- 5.2 Material survey -- 5.3 Mid infrared OPO materials -- 5.4 Visible and near-infrared OPO materials -- 5.5 Visible and UV OPO materials -- 5.6 Additional remarks -- 6. Examples of Practical Optical Parametric Oscillators and Amplifiers -- 6.1 High-energy nanosecond parametric oscillators -- 6.2 Continuous-pulse-train, high repetition rate, femtosecond parametric oscillators -- 6.3 Picosecond optical parametric oscillators and amplifiers -- Index.