Compact Ho:YLF-pumped ZnGeP 2 -based optical parametric amplifiers tunable in the molecular fingerprint regime.

We report on a compact mid-infrared laser architecture, comprising a chain of ZnGeP2-based optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs), which afford a higher energy yield (less than or similar to 60 mu J at 1 kHz) compared to most conventional OPA gain media transparent in the 2-8-mu m wavelength range. Specifically, our OPA scheme allows ready tunability in the molecular fingerprint regime and is tailored for strong-field excitation and coherent control of both stretch and bend (or torsional) vibrational modes in molecules. The OPAs are pumped and directly seeded (via supercontinuum generation) by a 2-mu m, 3-ps Ho:YLF regenerative amplifier. The compressibility of the OPA output is demonstrated by a representative measurement of the near-Gaussian temporal profile of a dispersion-compensated 105-fs idler pulse at a central wavelength of 5.1 mu m, corresponding to similar to 6 optical cycles. Detailed numerical simulations closely corroborate the experimental measurements, providing a benchmark and a platform to further explore the parameter space for future design, optimization, and implementation of high-energy, ultrafast, mid-infrared laser schemes. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America