CW periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/ optical parametric oscillator model with strong idler absorption

An analytical model is described for predicting the gain and performance of CW singly resonant optical parametric oscillators with strong idler absorption, strong pump depletion, and thermally induced dephasing. Pump and signal beam focusing effects are included by using the Guha et al. h/sub sm/ parameters. It is shown that significant parametric gain can be generated with an idler absorption-length product exceeding 10, and in some cases idler absorption is seen to enhance the pump depletion by impeding back conversion. The model accurately predicts current experimental results with weak idler absorption. Validation with strong idler absorption awaits experimental measurements to be completed.