Quasi-phase-matched parametric fluorescence in room-temperature lithium tantalate waveguides

We report what is to our knowledge the f irst observation of quasi-phase-matched parametric fluorescence in the 1.2-2.3-microm region, at ambient temperature, in lithium tantalate waveguides, using a pump wavelength between 805 and 845 nm. The signal fluorescent power depends strongly on the proton concentration in the waveguide, and signals of up to 7 pW have been observed for guided pump powers of 70 mW, which is 1 order of magnitude lower than the efficiency measured with lithium niobate guides.