Midwave Infrared Ultrashort Pulse Laser Frequency Conversion in Single Crystal, Polycrystalline, and Amorphous Optical Materials

Abstract

We investigate the nonlinear optical properties of transparent optical materials using ultrashort midwave infrared laser pulses between 3 and 4 microns. Random quasi-phase matching in polycrystalline materials generates multiple frequency harmonics of both odd and even orders throughout the transmission window of the target. We also investigate single crystal and amorphous materials and demonstrate a range of frequency conversion and pulse broadening. Simulations using a nonlinear polarization model enhanced with ionization and experimentally measured n(2) values provide good qualitative agreement with experimental data.