Frequency-domain nonlinear optics in two-dimensionally patterned quasi-phase-matching media

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel frequency-domain nonlinear optics platform using 2D patterned quasi-phase-matching media, enabling integrated pulse amplification, frequency transfer, and pulse shaping with improved scalability and performance.

Contribution

It presents a new 2D patterning approach for quasi-phase-matching media that combines multiple nonlinear optical functionalities into a single device.

Findings

Demonstrated mid-infrared optical parametric chirped pulse amplification

Supported scaling in power and bandwidth of laser sources

Proved the feasibility of the new nonlinear optics paradigm

Abstract

Advances in the amplification and manipulation of ultrashort laser pulses has led to revolutions in several areas. Examples include chirped pulse amplification for generating high peak-power lasers, power-scalable amplification techniques, pulse shaping via modulation of spatially-dispersed laser pulses, and efficient frequency-mixing in quasi-phase-matched nonlinear crystals to access new spectral regions. In this work, we introduce and demonstrate a new platform for nonlinear optics which has the potential to combine all of these separate functionalities (pulse amplification, frequency transfer, and pulse shaping) into a single monolithic device. Moreover, our approach simultaneously offers solutions to the performance-limiting issues in the conventionally-used techniques, and supports scaling in power and bandwidth of the laser source. The approach is based on two-dimensional patterning of quasi-phase-matching gratings combined with optical parametric interactions involving spatially dispersed laser pulses. Our proof of principle experiment demonstrates this new paradigm via mid-infrared optical parametric chirped pulse amplification of few-cycle pulses.