Mid-infrared quasi-parametric chirped-pulse amplification based on Sm:LGN crystals

We numerically demonstrate highly efficient mid-infrared quasi-parametric chirped -pulse amplification (QPCPA) based on a recently developed Sm3+-doped La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 (Sm:LGN) crystal. At pump wavelength around 1 mu m, the broadband absorption of Sm3+ on idler pulses can enable QPCPA for femtosecond signal pulses centered at 3.5 or 5 mu m, with a conversion efficiency approaching the quantum limit. Due to suppression of back conversion, such mid-infrared QPCPA exhibits robustness against phase-mismatch and pump-intensity variation. The Sm:LGN-based QPCPA will provide an efficient approach for converting currently well-developed intense laser pulses at 1 mu m to mid-infrared ultrashort pulses.(c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

We demonstrate highly efficient mid-infrared quasi-parametric chirped-pulse amplification (QPCPA) using a Sm3+-doped La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 (Sm:LGN) crystal. With pump wavelength at 1 μm, Sm3+ broadband absorption enables QPCPA for femtosecond signal pulses at 3.5 or 5 μm with near quantum-limited conversion efficiency. The mid-infrared QPCPA based on Sm:LGN exhibits robustness against phase-mismatch and pump-intensity variation due to back conversion suppression. This approach efficiently converts intense laser pulses at 1 μm into mid-infrared ultrashort pulses.