High Efficiency and High Peak Power Picosecond Mid-Infrared Optical Parametric Amplifier Based on a New Crystal BaGa 4 Se 7

A high efficiency and high peak power picosecond (ps) mid-infrared optical parametric amplifier with a new non-linear crystal BaGa4Se7 pumped by a 30 ps 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is demonstrated for the first time. The maximum photon conversion efficiency of 56% from 1064 nm to 3.9 mu m idler has been achieved at the pump energy of similar to 1.8 mJ. A maximum idler output of 830 mu J at 3.9 mu m with peak power of similar to 27 MW was obtained at pump energy of similar to 9.1 mJ. Moreover, a 3-5 mu m idler tuning range was demonstrated, with output energies of similar to 300 mu J at 5 mu m and up to 1 mJ at 3 mu m at similar to 8.2 mJ pump energy. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America