ABSTRACT
Second-order nonlinear optical processes, such as sum-frequency generation (SFG), difference-frequency generation (DFG), and optical parametric oscillations (OPO) and generation (OPG), are more commonly adopted for frequency conversion. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on on OPG/optical parametric amplification (OPA). It outlines the theoretical background for design of an OPG/OPA system, using two newly discovered nonlinear crystals, ß-barium borate and lithium triborate as examples. The book describes experimental design considerations, including the selection of the nonlinear crystals, pumping sources, and optical configurations. Finally, it discusses the scheme used to narrow the spectral width of the OPA output, and the scheme that can extend the tuning range of an OPG/OPA system from near IR to mid-IR by means of DFG and from visible to UV using SFG.
