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A monolithic MgO:LiNbO3 singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) was operated as both a standing-wave and a ring-geometry resonator. The OPO was pumped by the second harmonic of an amplified single-mode diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser. Pump depletions of greater than 60 percent were observed when pumping four times greater than the 35-W threshold. The OPO output at the resonant signal tuned with temperature from 834 to 958 nm, while the corresponding idler tuned from 1.47 to 1.2 microns. The spectral characteristics of the OPO signal output and the relative merits of a standing wave versus a ring geometry are discussed.

A visible BaB2O4 optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a single-axial-mode 355-nm source has been demonstrated. An average output power of 140 mW with a signal wave conversion efficiency of 13 percent and an idler conversion efficiency of 11 percent for a total conversion efficiency of 24 percent has been achieved. The oscillator has continuously tuned from 412 nm to 2.55 microns limited by the infrared transmission range of the crystal. Through injection seeding, single-axial-mode OPO operation with a corresponding OPO linewidth of less than 3 GHz was obtained.

With the advent of new nonlinear materials and single-frequency pump sources, there is renewed interest in optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). A single-mode diode-laser-pumped monolithic Nd:YAG nonplanar ring laser that is both amplified and frequency doubled is used to pump a monolithic MgO:LiNbO3 pulsed singly resonant OPO. The OPO signal output was temperature tuned from 834 to 958 nm, producing an idler tuning from 1.47 to 1.2 microns. Efforts toward a CW all-solid-state doubly resonant OPO are also described.

AgGaSe2 crystals for nonlinear infrared applications are being grown reproducibly. Using high-quality, 2-cm-long crystals, 14 percent energy and 60 percent peak intensity conversion efficiency have been demonstrated for second harmonic generation of the pulsed output of a CO2 miniature transversely excited atmospheric laser.

A report is presented of the first operation of an optical parametric oscillator in a chalcopyrite crystal, AgGaS2. Tuning from 1.4 to 4.0 microns is demonstrated for 1.06-micron Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet pumping. The potential tuning range extends to the 12-micron transparency limit of the crystal.

The present investigation is concerned with interferometric measurements of the thermally induced optical effects in laser crystals, taking into account crystals cut in both the zig-zag slab and the conventional rod geometries. The measurements conducted demonstrate the significant advantages obtained by replacing the rod in a Nd:YAG laser with a slab. A description is provided of simple measures designed to eliminate end and edge effects, and efficiency and threshold data for the Nd:YAG slab and the rod it replaced are presented. The only disadvantage is a small increase in cost due to the more difficult fabrication of the slab and the greater amount of Nd:YAG which is needed to allow the ends to be unpumped.