Properties of parametric frequency conversion with Bessel light beams

Parametric generation of light by pumping with Bessel light beams is investigated. Advantages of such pumping over pumping with Gaussian light beams are revealed. A theory of azimuth-matched nonlinear interaction of Bessel light beams is developed. It is shown that at such an interaction in the parametric generator the coupling coefficient reaches its maximum and no destruction of the spatial structure of intracavity fields at high coefficients of conversion occurs. This opens up the possibility of increasing the energy conversion from an input Bessel beam compared to that of a Gaussian beam. The possibility of high-efficiency parametric conversion of a Bessel pump beam to a Gaussian signal wave beam and a Bessel idler wave beam is shown. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.