Picosecond source of coherent optical radiation tunable in the 350–680 nm range

Mixing of picosecond neodymium laser pulses of λ =1.06 μ. wavelength and 1 GW power with a continuous spectrum in lithium iodate and formate crystals produced tunable coherent radiation in the wavelength range 350–680 nm. The continuous spectrum was excited in the active element of an oscillator (with a neodymium glass rod) by high-power picosecond pulses produced by the oscillator itself. The tuning was based on the angular dispersion of the phase matching in the two crystals employed.