Extended operation of synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillators to longer idler wavelengths

Abstract
A synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator, based on periodically poled lithium niobate, has operated at idler wavelengths out to 7.3 µm. Directly measured idler output powers (average) are 4.2 mW at 6.1 µm, 0.5 mW at 7.0 µm, and 0.04 mW at 7.25 µm. Characterization of the idler output indicates essentially bandwidth-limited and diffraction-limited operation.