CEP dependence of signal and idler upon pump-seed synchronization in optical parametric amplifiers

Abstract

We study the effect of pump-seed timing fluctuations on the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of signal and idler pulses emerging from an OP(CP)A. A simple analytical model is derived in order to provide an intuitive explanation of the origin of CEP fluctuations, while split-step simulations are performed to cover a broad range of different seeding schemes. Finally, we compare the simulation results with real observations of the CEP of idler pulses generated by an OPA. The quantitative model presented provides a key tool for designing the next generation of low-noise CEP-stable OP(CP)A-based sources.