Efficient broadband second-harmonic generation by dispersive achromatic nonlinear conversion using only prisms

Using a lossless dispersive apparatus consisting of six prisms, optimized to match a second-harmonic crystal phase-matching angle versus wavelength to second order, we efficiently doubled tunable fundamental light near 660 nm over a range of 80 nm, using a 4-mm-long type I beta-barium berate crystal without tuning the crystal angle. Another set of six prisms after the crystal realigned the propagation directions of the various second-harmonic frequencies to be collinear to within 1/4 spot diameter in position and 200 mu rad in angle. The measured conversion efficiency of a 40-mJ, 5-ns fundamental pulse was 10%. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.