Sum-frequency generation in laser safety and quantum telecommunications applications

This thesis describes the implications of sum-frequency generation in both laser safety and quantum telecommunications applications. Green laser pointer technology uses frequency doubling of invisible 1064 nm infrared radiation to visible 532 nm green radiation. An inexpensive green laser pointer was found to emit infrared leakage primarily due to the lack of an infrared-blocking filter. An experimental setup using common household materials was presented to detect unwanted infrared radiation from such devices. Also reported, is the design and characterization of a high-speed versatile 780 nm pump source up to 1.25 GHz through second harmonic generation from a wavelength of 1560 nm. The 780 nm source is currently being used for the production of correlated photon pairs, one of which is at 656 nm, the hydrogen Balmer alpha line. The final goal will be to generate a high-speed entanglement source after some adjustments in the correlated pair source assembly. This will improve an operational quantum key distribution system.