Singly resonant CdSe infrared parametric oscillator

Abstract
We have demonstrated an infrared singly resonant parametric oscillator using CdSe as the nonlinear crystal. The oscillator operates with either a resonant signal near 2.2 μ or resonant idler in the 9.8‐ to 10.4‐μ region. Using a Q‐switched Nd : YAG laser operating at 1.833 μ as a pump source, we have observed thresholds of 550 W and up to 40% conversion efficiency. The angle‐tuned oscillator operates at room temperature with a 2‐cm−1 bandwidth.