摘要 |
An harmonic generator system for generating at least two output beams (6a, 6b, 6c) of higher order harmonic radiation from an input beam (1) of radiation of frequency omega comprises at least two non linear optical crystals (3a, 3b, 3c) arranged in series. Radiation output from each crystal stage has first and higher order harmonic components. Chromatic separators (5a, 5b, 5c) separate beams of radiation output from each crystal and selected beams are then passed through a telescope (9a, 9b) to the next crystal in the series, thereby generating further radiation beams of first and higher order harmonics. Multiple beams of second, 2 omega , third, 3 omega , or fourth, 4 omega , harmonic radiation may be output from the system and may be used to pump various stages of a secondary laser system or an optical parametric oscillator. Alternatively, the output beams of higher order harmonic radiation may be coherently combined to form a single output. The system is capable of yielding considerably high conversion efficiencies, approaching 100 %. The system for generating multiple beams of second harmonic radiation preferably comprises a three non linear crystals, for example potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) or potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), such that three beams of second harmonic radiation are generated. The telescope magnifications may be variable so that the relative intensity of radiation output at each crystal stage may be varied. |