A coherent spectrophotometer based on a periodically poled lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator

We report the optimisation and characterisation of a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a diode-pumped, Q-switched multiaxial TEM00 mode Nd:YAG laser operated at 1064 nm. Total conversion efficiency exceeding 66% was achieved. This OPO is used in a coherent spectrophotometer for optical component characterisation.