GENERATION OF 16-FS PULSES AT 425 NM BY EXTRACAVITY FREQUENCY-DOUBLING OF A MODE-LOCKED TI-SAPPHIRE LASER

An efficient doubling scheme capable of producing 16-fs pulses centered at 425 nm with an average power of 40 mW is described. The system uses 15-fs pulses from a continuous-wave mode-locked Ti:sapphire oscillator centered at 850 nm. The pulse characteristics resulting from doubling with beta-barium berate crystals of various lengths are presented. The results compare favorably with previous attempts at intracavity doubling and provide a more convenient route to femtosecond experiments with fully synchronized second-harmonic radiation. (C) 1995 Optical Society of America .