Ultrafast OPOs for Tunable Laser Output

Did You Know?

The first optical parametric oscillator was demonstrated by Joseph Giordmaine and Bob Miller in 1965, five years after the invention of the laser, at Bell Labs. Wavelength tunability and the possibility to attain wavelengths in infrared, far-infrared and terahertz region are the attributes which make OPOs so fascinating. Optical parametric oscillators are used as coherent light sources for various scientific applications, such as generating squeezed light for research in the area of quantum physics and spectroscopy. OPOs can be singly-resonant and pumped with an actively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
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Frequently Asked Questions

An ultrafast laser generates optical pulses with durations typically in the femtosecond (10^-15 s) to picosecond (10^-12 s) range, orders of magnitude shorter than nanosecond or CW sources. The extremely short pulse duration leads to very high peak powers at relatively modest average powers, enabling nonlinear optical processes and precise material interactions with minimal heat-affected zones.

What Are Ultrafast OPOs?

Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are nonlinear light sources that convert an input pump laser into widely tunable output wavelengths. Ultrafast OPOs are pumped by femtosecond or picosecond lasers and provide short pulses across visible, near-IR, and mid-IR bands. On FindLight, OPOs are available as stand-alone modules or integrated with pump lasers for turnkey use.

In a typical ultrafast OPO, a nonlinear crystal inside a resonant cavity splits the pump photon into lower-energy signal and idler photons while conserving energy and momentum. By tuning phase-matching conditions (crystal angle, temperature, or poling period), OPOs can cover broad wavelength ranges that are difficult to access with fixed-wavelength lasers.

Typical Specifications of OPOs

When evaluating OPOs, engineers and scientists usually review:

  • Pump requirements: Compatible pump wavelength (e.g., 532 nm, 800 nm, 1 µm), pulse duration (fs to ps), and average power.
  • Tuning range: Signal and idler wavelength coverage, often from ~400 nm into the 3–5 µm or longer mid-IR region.
  • Pulse parameters: Pulse duration (tens of fs to a few ps), repetition rate (from tens of MHz down to kHz), and temporal walk-off constraints.
  • Output power and energy: Average power in watts or tens of milliwatts and per-pulse energies for low-repetition-rate OPOs.
  • Beam quality: M2, spatial mode (TEM00 vs multimode), and pointing stability.
  • Stability and control: Long-term power stability, tuning mechanism (motorized, piezo, manual), and available feedback or locking options.

Use Cases for Ultrafast OPOs

Ultrafast OPOs are used in nonlinear spectroscopy, pump-probe experiments, multiphoton microscopy, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), high-harmonic generation, and mid-IR spectroscopy. Their broad tunability allows selective excitation of molecular resonances and fast scanning of absorption or emission features.

Buyer Guidance on FindLight

On FindLight, you can compare OPOs from multiple vendors by tuning range, pump compatibility, repetition rate, and output power. Check whether the listed OPOs support your existing pump laser, or consider integrated systems if you need a matched pump–OPO combination. Review cooling requirements, footprint, and interface options (software control, sync outputs) for integration into your experimental setup.

For each listing, examine detailed datasheets, then request quotes or technical clarifications directly from manufacturers. No registration is required to send inquiries, streamlining procurement of suitable OPOs for R&D and production environments.