Extra-cavity-enhanced difference-frequency generation at 1.63 {μ}m

A 1632-nm laser has highly important applications in interfacing the wavelength of rubidium-based quantum memories (795 nm) and the telecom band (typically 1550 nm) by frequency conversion in three-wave mixing processes. A 1632-nm laser source based on pump-enhanced difference frequency generation is demonstrated. It has 300 mW of output power, in agreement with simulations, and a 55% quantum efficiency. An average power fluctuation of 0.51% over one hour was observed, and 200-kHz linewidth was measured using a delayed self-heterodyne method.