Abstract

We demonstrate the sensitive detection of intracavity absorption in a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) of β barium borate (BBO). This method combines three important features.¹ The detection sensitivity is enhanced through multiple passes of broadband idler through the absorber.² the absorption of IR idler radiation reduces the intensity at the corresponding signal wave in the visible³ Because of the broad tuning range of BBO OPOs (400-3000 nm), this method is easily applied in a wide spectral range.

© 1993 Optical Society of America