Abstract:
Computer calculations were made of the main characteristics of an infrared parametric converter utilizing a ZnGeP2 crystal pumped by YAG:Nd3+ laser radiation. An experiment was carried out to study the conversion of CO2 laser radiation into the visible range using ZnGeP2 specimens, which exhibited considerable absorption. A conversion coefficient of 0.05 was obtained using a Q -switched pump laser with a power density of 3 MW/cm2 and a crystal 0.3 cm long. An investigation was made of the resistance of the ZnGeP2 crystal to damage caused by pulsed neodymium laser radiation and cw CO2 laser radiation.