Parametric conversion of infrared radiation in zinc-germanium diphosphide

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.