Automation of an “Aculight” continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator

Abstract

We report the automation of a continuous-wave, singly resonant, optical parametric oscillator (Lockheed-Martin Aculight ARGOS 2400-SF-15). This commercially available optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is capable of producing >1 W of continuously tunable idler output between 2.2 and 4.6 μm. An algorithm based on the feedback from a high accuracy wavemeter is implemented to synchronize three separate OPO tuning elements; the translation of a fan-out type periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, the rotation of an intracavity etalon, and the continuous tuning of the pump and idler wavelengths via piezoelectric strain of the tunable fiber pump laser. This allows for several hundred wavenumbers of efficient, automatic, continuous tuning of the idler wave. Continuous feedback from the wavemeter limits the absolute frequency accuracy to ±20 MHz. The broad, automatic tuning of the OPO is demonstrated via its implementation as a probe laser for the infrared action spectroscopy of methanol solvated in helium nanodroplets. LabVIEW virtual instruments for the automation of this OPO laser system are reported, along with detailed schematics of the associated hardware developed at the University of Georgia.