Continuous-wave optical parametric amplifier that uses a diode laser for a wideband coherent optical frequency sweep generator

Continuous-wave optical parametric amplification by using a 1.5-μm diode laser and a Ti:sapphire laser has been performed for the first time to our knowledge to generate highly coherent tunable infrared light in a KTP crystal. Tunable output from 1.38 to 1.67 μm with microwatt power was obtained. We also propose a scheme for a precision frequency-tunable light source in the 1.5-μm region with an expected frequency tuning range of 4 THz by using an optical frequency comb generator and the phase-locking technique.