Vortex pumped optical parametric amplification

Summary form only given. We present the first to our knowledge demonstration of BaB/sub 2/O/sub 4/ collinearly phase-matched crystal optical parametric amplifier (OPA) pumped by picosecond optical vortex. We consider a phase-matched OPA without walkoff. In this case one finds requirement for three-wave interaction which preserves the charges of interacting vortices.