Multiband generation of mid infrared by use of periodically poled lithium niobate

We report the generation of simultaneous multiband mid-infrared laser output by use of periodically polled lithium niobate pumped by the 1.54-mu m output from a KTP optical parametric oscillator. The multiband source is capable of producing three mid-infrared wavelengths ranging from 2.5 to 4 mu m. In initial experiments we obtained output powers of 542 mW near 2.5 mu m and 453 mW near 4 mu m, with power conversion efficiencies of 30% and 25%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of this kind in the literature. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.