Inhibited light-induced absorption in KNbO3

Improved waveguide-based ultraviolet light generation and pulsed squeezing at 795 nm

We report on the waveguide-based generation of pulsed squeezed light at 795 nm, suitable for quantum enhanced measurements with rubidium atoms. Pulsed ultraviolet second harmonic light with a power of more than 400 mW is produced using a periodically poled LiNbO₃ (PPLN) waveguide and is injected into another PPLN waveguide to generate quadrature squeezing. We find that the phase of the second harmonic pulse is shifted within a pulse, and we attribute the shift to heating due to blue-light induced infrared absorption (BLIIRA) from a comparison between the experiment and a numerical simulation. A squeezing level of -1.5(1) dB is observed in homodyne detection when we apply a linear phase shift to the local oscillator. The experiment and simulation imply that the squeezing level can be further improved by reducing BLIIRA.

Determination of blue-light-induced infrared absorption based on mode-matching efficiency in an optical parametric oscillator

Non-classical squeezed states of light at a compatible atomic wavelength have a potential application in quantum information protocols for quantum states delaying or storaging. An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (PPKTP) is the most effective method for generating this squeezed state. However, it is a challege for the nonlinear interaction in PPKTP crystal at the D1 line of rubidium atomic, due to a strong blue-light-induced infrared absorption (BLIIRA). In this paper, we report an indirect measurement method for the BLIIRA through measuring the mode-matching efficiency in an optical parametric oscillator. In contrast to previous works, our method is not limited by the absolute power variation induced from the change of frequency conversion loss and the impedance matching originated from the change of absorption loss. Therefore, the measurement process is performed at the phase-matching condition. The measured results show that BLIIRA coefficient is quadratic dependence of blue light intensity below 1 kW per square centimeter in our PPKTP device, which will provide important basis for optimizing squeezed state generation at 795 nm.

Detailed study of an efficient blue laser source by second-harmonic generation in a semimonolithic cavity for the cooling of strontium atoms

We have constructed a blue laser source consisting of an amplified, grating tuned diode laser that is frequency doubled by a KNbO3 crystal in a compact standing wave cavity and produces as much as 200 mW of internal second-harmonic power. We have analyzed the unusual characteristics of this standing wave cavity to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of this configuration as an alternative to a ring cavity for second-harmonic generation. We emphasize its efficiency and stability and the fact that it has an inherent walk-off compensation, similar to twin crystal configurations. We demonstrate its utility for laser cooling and trapping of earth alkalis by stabilizing the laser to the 461-nm transition of strontium, using a heat pipe, and then forming a magneto-optic trap of strontium from a Zeeman-slowed atomic beam.

High-power 457-nm light source by frequency doubling of an amplified diode laser

We demonstrate the generation of 150-mW blue coherent single-mode radiation at 457 nm in a compact and inexpensive setup. The light is generated by frequency doubling the radiation of a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system in an enhancement cavity with a potassium niobate (KNbO3) crystal. The MOPA consists of a 914-nm single-mode diode laser and a broad-area diode laser (BAL) as the amplifier. The BAL is a multimode laser with a specified wavelength of 938 nm. Sufficient gain at 914 nm is obtained by antireflection coating the BAL front surface and by cooling it to -10 degrees C.

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled KTiOPO(4)

We report what is to our knowledge the first demonstration of a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled KTiOPO(4) . The 10-mm-long flux-grown crystal had a quasi-phase-matched period of 9mum . The pump source was a miniature frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, and the threshold power of this doubly resonant device was 51 mW. The OPO was operated near room temperature. The signal and the idler wavelengths could be tuned in the range 1037-1093 nm by variation of the crystal temperature (32-38 degrees C) and the cavity length. Unlike in other nonlinear crystals, green-induced infrared absorption was not observed up to the highest pumping intensity of approximately 4.5kW/cm(2) .