Broadband noncollinear optical parametric amplification without angularly dispersed idler

We report a new scheme for direct generation of broadband angular-dispersion-free mid-IR idler pulses via noncollinear optical parametric amplification when group-velocity matched wavelengths cannot be found and the traditional noncollinear geometry fails to increase the phase-matching bandwidth. The scheme does not require any post-amplification idler angular dispersion compensation. We derive and interpret the condition for broadband amplification and absence of idler angular dispersion. A broadband angular-dispersion-free 2.15 mu m idler pulse is generated as an experimental demonstration. We identify the potential of the scheme to generate a broadband 3.5 mu m idler, with a bandwidth supporting a sub-two-cycle pulse. (c) 2012 Optical Society of America