Compact optical scheme for the generation of ultrafast mid-IR laser pulses

Several optical techniques that are often employed to generate mid-IR pulses are discussed. These are based on a difference frequency generation (DFG) process for mixing signal and idler pulses generated from optical parametric oscillators that are synchronously pumped by Ti:Sapphire laser. Here, we proposed a new optical scheme that improves the day-to-day operation stability and the ease of manoeuvring spectrum anywhere in the 2 to 10 μ m range. The demonstrated scheme is very compact and cost-effective, and we believe this optical scheme will be helpful for researchers working with mid-IR pulses.