Optical, vibrational, thermal, electrical, damage and phase-matching properties of lithium thioindate

Lithium thioindate (LiInS$_{2}$) is a new nonlinear chalcogenide biaxial material transparent from 0.4 to 12 $\mu$m, that has been successfully grown in large sizes and good optical quality. We report on new physical properties that are relevant for laser and nonlinear optics applications. With respect to AgGaS(e)$_2$ ternary chalcopyrite materials, LiInS$_{2}$ displays a nearly-isotropic thermal expansion behavior, a 5-times larger thermal conductivity associated with high optical damage thresholds, and an extremely low intensity-dependent absorption allowing direct high-power downconversion from the near-IR to the deep mid-IR. Continuous-wave difference-frequency generation (5-11$\mu$m) of Ti:sapphire laser sources is reported for the first time.Comment: 27 pages, 21 figures. Replaces the previous preprint (physics/0307082) with the final version as it will be published in J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 21(11) (Nov. 2004 issue

Long-wavelength operation of synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillators based on periodically poled LiNbO₃

Synchronously-pumped parametric oscillators based on periodically-poled LiNbO3 operating in the region of strong idler absorption are described and a design strategy outlined. Results include ~30mW average power at 5.3µm and 4mW average power at 6.1µm

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

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

Optical, vibrational, thermal, electrical, damage, and phase-matching properties of lithium thioindate

International audienceLithium thioindate (LiInS2) is a new nonlinear chalcogenide biaxial material transparent from 0.4 to 12 mum that has been successfully grown in large sizes and with good optical quality. We report on new physical properties that are relevant for laser and nonlinear optics applications. With respect to AgGaS(e)2 ternary chalcopyrite materials, LiInS2 displays a nearly isotropic thermal expansion behavior, a 5-times-larger thermal conductivity associated with high optical damage thresholds, and an extremely low-intensity-dependent absorption, allowing direct high-power downconversion from the near-IR to the deep mid-IR. Continuous-wave difference-frequency generation (5-11 mum) of Ti:sapphire laser sources is reported for the first time to our knowledge