Synchronously pulsed ir up‐conversion

The successful operation of a synchronously pulsed high‐repetition‐rate ir up‐converter is reported. Using a 1.06‐μm Nd:YAG pump laser and a proustite (Ag3AsS3) nonlinear crystal, 10.6‐μm pulsed output from a CO2 laser has been up‐converted to 0.964 μm with good conversion efficiency and high peak power obtained. Up‐conversion efficiency of 0.84% has been achieved, which generated peak power outputs of 8.4 W at 0.964 μm. This was accomplished at a repetition rate of 133 pps. Under these conditions, the beam of the up‐converted signal was easily imaged and clearly visible on an ordinary S‐1 surface‐image intensifier tube. Thus, real time imaging or electronic image processing of ir‐illuminated scenery should be possible using this mode of operation.