Stimulated Raman scattering in an optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled MgO-doped stoichiometric LiTaO3

TL;DR

This paper investigates stimulated Raman scattering in an MgO-doped periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate optical parametric oscillator, analyzing spectral evolution, cascade Raman lasing, and methods to reduce intracavity Raman effects.

Contribution

It provides new insights into Raman lasing behavior and demonstrates techniques to control Raman scattering in this specific nonlinear crystal-based oscillator.

Findings

Cascade Raman lasing observed at certain pump powers

Spurious frequency doubling and sum-frequency generation identified

Intracavity Raman scattering reduced by cavity loss adjustments

Abstract

The evolution versus pump power of the spectrum of a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on an MgO-doped periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate crystal is observed. The onset of cascade Raman lasing due to stimulated Raman scattering in the nonlinear crystal is analyzed. Spurious frequency doubling and sum-frequency generation phenomena are observed and understood. A strong reduction of the intracavity Raman scattering is obtained by a careful adjustment of the cavity losses.