Widely tunable cavity-enhanced backward difference-frequency generation

Abstract

Difference-frequency generation (DFG) is a powerful technique for generating widely tunable infrared radiation. However, conventional phase-matching schemes may require tuning multiple parameters—such as the wavelengths, crystal temperature, crystal angle, and poling period—to achieve wide tunability, which increases the complexity of practical operation. In this work, we employ a backward quasi-phase-matching scheme with distinctive tuning characteristics and demonstrate pump-enhanced continuous-wave DFG output tunable from 1751 to 2451 nm (700 nm range) in a bulk crystal. The tuning is achieved solely by varying the pump wavelength and the signal wavelength (less than 5 nm), enabling continuous, rapid, and room-temperature operation. The tuning characteristics, power-scaling behavior, and output stability are experimentally verified with the idler wavelength set at 2000 nm. The approach offers a paradigm for widely tunable infrared radiation generation and holds promise for applications in spectroscopy and biomedical sensing.