Edge-enhanced optical parametric generation in periodically poled LiNbO3

Nicklas Bjärnhall Prytz, Daniel Qvarngård, Antti Härkönen, Mircea Guina, and Katia Gallo

Abstract

We demonstrate enhanced optical parametric gains occurring at the edge of periodically poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) regions. Experiments performed in MgO-doped PPLN samples, pumped at 532 nm with parametric signal outputs around 800 nm and 1550 nm, exhibit good agreement with numerical simulations of the nonlinear wave dynamics in the system, based on the assumption of an average refractive index increase Δn = 5.3×10−5 in the PPLN region. Excitation in proximity to the PPLN edge with a pump power of 8.1 mW results in a 3.6-fold output power increase with respect to parametric generation inside the PPLN area.