Abstract

We report on the systematic open-aperture $Z$-scan characterization of the two-photon absorption properties in one of the most efficient solid-state Raman frequency shifters, the crystal potassium gadolinium tungstate $\left[\mathrm{KGd}{\left({\mathrm{WO}}_4\right)}_2\right]$. The two-photon absorption coefficient was determined in the 370–600-nm wavelength range, with the highest value found to be $\sim 1.9 \mathrm{cm}/\mathrm{GW}$ at 370 nm. Nonlinear losses are crucial in determining the conversion efficiency of the stimulated Raman scattering process when it is excited with ultrashort laser pulses with photon energy exceeding half of the bandgap. In addition, the results were analyzed within the context of a simple two-parabolic-band theoretical model to yield an effective bandgap energy value for the crystal.

© 2004 Optical Society of America

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