Long-wave IR chemical sensing based on difference frequency generation in orientation-patterned GaAs

Authors

S. E. Bisson, T. J. Kulp, O. Levi, J. S. Harris, M. M. Fejer

Abstract

The combination of continuous-wave difference frequency generation based on quasi-phase-matched (QPM) gallium arsenide with cavity ring-down spectroscopy is explored for use in spectroscopic and chemical sensing applications. The advent of QPM materials based on orientation- patterned GaAs (OP-GaAs) offers a significant advantage over traditional ferroelectric QPM materials of extended wavelength coverage into the spectroscopically important 8 –12 µm region. In this work, the outputs from two tunable, external cavity diode lasers covering the 1.3 µm and 1.5 µm telecom bands were amplified then mixed in an orientation-patterned GaAs crystal, producing several microwatts of tunable radiation in the 7– 9 µm region. We also evaluate the use of a low-power DFG source for use in cavity ring-down spectroscopy.

Journal

Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics

Volume

85

Number

2

Date

11/2006
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