Fourier transform-limited, nanosecond, CW-seeded optical parametric amplifier with high spectral purity
Abstract
We report on a narrow linewidth nanosecond pulse optical parametric amplifier (OPA) seeded by a tunable continuous wave (CW) laser diode emitting around 1647 nm with a high spectral contrast. The system is pumped by a 1030 nm fiber laser delivering an average power of 10 W, pulses with a duration of 10 ns at a repetition rate of 100 kHz. A maximum signal conversion efficiency of 21% is achieved, corresponding to 2.16 W of average power and 20 µJ pulse energy with a beam quality factor of M 2 < 1.25. Optical spectrum analysis shows a spectral purity > 99.97%, and optical heterodyne measurements demonstrate near Fourier transform-limited operation with a spectral linewidth < 110 MHz for 10 ns pulses. Methane absorption spectroscopy is demonstrated using a gas cell, confirming the narrow linewidth and spectral stability of the source. These results highlight the potential of CW-seeded OPAs as laser sources for gas-sensing LIDAR systems.
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BibTeX
@article{danve2026fourier,
title = {{Fourier transform-limited, nanosecond, CW-seeded optical parametric amplifier with high spectral purity}},
author = {Marie-Céline Gauthier Danve and Ricarda Wolf and Michele Natile and Yoann Zaouter and Marc Hanna and Patrick Georges and Xavier Délen},
journal = {Optics Letters},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1364/ol.606878},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05760049v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fourier transform-limited, nanosecond, CW-seeded optical parametric amplifier with high spectral purity
AU - Marie-Céline Gauthier Danve
AU - Ricarda Wolf
AU - Michele Natile
AU - Yoann Zaouter
AU - Marc Hanna
AU - Patrick Georges
AU - Xavier Délen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/23
JO - Optics Letters
DO - 10.1364/ol.606878
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05760049v1
AB - We report on a narrow linewidth nanosecond pulse optical parametric amplifier (OPA) seeded by a tunable continuous wave (CW) laser diode emitting around 1647 nm with a high spectral contrast. The system is pumped by a 1030 nm fiber laser delivering an average power of 10 W, pulses with a duration of 10 ns at a repetition rate of 100 kHz. A maximum signal conversion efficiency of 21% is achieved, corresponding to 2.16 W of average power and 20 µJ pulse energy with a beam quality factor of M 2 < 1.25. Optical spectrum analysis shows a spectral purity > 99.97%, and optical heterodyne measurements demonstrate near Fourier transform-limited operation with a spectral linewidth < 110 MHz for 10 ns pulses. Methane absorption spectroscopy is demonstrated using a gas cell, confirming the narrow linewidth and spectral stability of the source. These results highlight the potential of CW-seeded OPAs as laser sources for gas-sensing LIDAR systems.
SN - 0146-9592
SN - 1539-4794
ER -