Highly efficient direct third-harmonic generation based on control of the electro-optic effect in quasi-periodic optical superlattices

We present a method for controlling the efficiency of direct third-harmonic generation in quasi-periodic optical superlattices by means of the electro-optic effect. The calculated results manifest that this method is extremely efficient for achieving high efficiency of direct third-harmonic generation in predesigned quasi-phase-matched coupled parametric processes and is feasible at any given fundamental intensity. In addition, we demonstrate that the electro-optic control approach is significantly better than the temperature-control method.     

加偏置电场的抛物量子阱中的电光效应

本文利用密度矩阵方法得到了加偏置电场的抛物量子阱中电光效应的解析表达式,并以典型的GaAs抛物量子阱为例进行了数值计算研究结果表明,电光效应随偏置电场和抛物势频率的增大而增强,同时也表明GaAs量子阱中的电光效应比体GaAs中的要强一个数量级以上。     

10.6μm的CO2激光的电光频移

本文提出用CO₂激光器输出的线偏振光通过电光调制器和再生循环激光放大器,在不增大谐波分量条件下,可能大大提高转换效率,使电光频移具有广泛应用的可能性。在检验频移效果的实验中,用光束的自准往复和调制信号的空间延迟简化了实验装置。以简单的拍频方法分析了频移光的频率成分。 关键词：     

提升啁啾脉冲激光信噪比的扫描滤波方法

基于扫描滤波原理, 提出了一种新的用以提升啁啾脉冲激光信噪比(signal-to-noise, SNR)的光学扫描滤波方法. 针对内置电光晶体的Fabry-Perot标准具的扫描滤波方案, 定量分析了其扫描滤波谱特性, 详细讨论了Fabry-Perot标准具平行平板的镜面反射率和内置电光晶体类型对输出脉冲信噪比的影响, 并进一步探讨了控制电压变化对信噪比提升效果的影响. 结果表明, 扫描滤波器的透射窗口带宽越窄, 信噪比的提升效果越好; 为了保证输出效果, Fabry-Perot标准具平行平板反射率应大于0.9; 对于内置二次电光晶体钽铌酸钾晶体的Fabry-Perot标准具扫描滤波方案, 其外加电压较内置普通线性电光晶体的方案更低, 且更易于控制; 钽铌酸钾晶体构成组分的不同对滤波器效果的影响并不大, 而控制电压和信号光啁啾率的变化则会对滤波效果产生较大影响.     

Squeezing by second-harmonic generation in a monolithic resonator

We have measured the intensity fluctuations of the second-harmonic mode generated in a MgO:LiNbO₃ external monolithic cavity pumped by a Nd:YAG laser. The cavity has mirror coatings for both the fundamental and the second-harmonic mode. We scan the cavity using the electro-optic effect of the crystal and observe that the second-harmonic beam of 2 mW exhibits a quantum noise reduction of 40(±5)%. In addition, we report on the active frequency stabilization of the monolithic device used in our squeezing experiments. Several fast tuning parameters such as the electro-optic effect, the photo-elastic effect, and the laser frequency have been investigated. With these tuning parameters the monolithic resonator can be locked on double-resonance at the phase-matching temperature, which is a prerequisit for observing squeezing in a cw-regime.     

The frequency shifting of laser light by electro-optic techniques

In velocity measurements by the laser Doppler method, a requirement exists for changing the frequency of one light beam with respect to another derived from the same source. This is particularly useful for the determination of the sign of a velocity. The required frequency shifting or single side-band generation can be accomplished by the use of electro-optical effects and a number of possible arrangements are discussed. Trials were made using Kerr cells and electro-optic crystals and single side-band generation demonstrated by a simple Doppler beating experiment. If a low efficiency can be tolerated as in Doppler beating with a reference beam, the production of a pure frequency shifted beam is not difficult up to frequencies of a few megahertz. The differential Doppler or fringe system however requires shifted and non-shifted beams of equal intensity and hence high efficiency conversion is imperative. Radio-frequency driving power requirements may also be a limitation. The theoretical efficiencies of various multi-cell electro-optic arrangements have been calculated as a function of R.F. excitation. The possible efficiency approaches unity as the number of cells is increased.     

利用Mach-Zehnder干涉仪提升啁啾脉冲信噪比

基于内置电光晶体的Mach-Zehnder干涉仪,利用Mach-Zehnder干涉仪双光束干涉原理和晶体的线性电光效应,提出了一种新的能有效提高啁啾脉冲信噪比的扫描滤波方法。定量分析了其扫描滤波谱特性,探讨了预脉冲噪声延时对信噪比提升效果的影响,并讨论了电光晶体的电压控制参数对信噪比提升效果的影响。研究结果表明:预脉冲噪声的延时和控制电压的变化会对滤波效果产生较大影响,利用该扫描滤波方法可将啁啾脉冲激光信噪比提升约2个量级,且信号光透过率高达95%以上。     

RTP晶体的调Q特性研究

介绍了一种适用于在高重复频率调Q工作的RbTiOPO4（RTP）电光晶体。通过分析温度变化对RTP晶体透过率的影响，得出通过极精确地控制RTP晶体温度变化范围来补偿晶体的自然双折射是不实用的，而必须用两块相同的正交放置的RTP晶体Q开关，才能补偿晶体的自然双折射，保证Q开关的稳定性。用两块相同的正交放置的RTP晶体Q开关进行了不同频率的电光调Q实验，实验结果说明了RTP晶体作为电光Q开关在高重频工作的潜力。     

一种利用调制光谱形状判断波片快轴方位的新方法

介绍了一种新的判断波片快轴方位的方法.根据波片相位电光补偿测量原理,采用叠加固定频率的交流电压调制信号,获得偏振消光系统输出信息与调制信号间的关系.利用琼斯矩阵对这一过程进行分析发现,输出光信息通常情况下是由基频和倍频信息叠加而成,叠加结果不仅反映了波片的相位信息,而且反映了波片的轴向信息.通过对此现象的深入分析研究,...     

Electro-optic modulation on nonlinear phase shift and fundamental transmission in quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation

Nonlinear phase shift and transmission experienced by a beam at the fundamental frequency during electro-optic modulated quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation are studied. Numerical results indicate that the nonlinear phase shift of fundamental wave shows a difference of π, while fundamental transmission is controllable only by applying a DC electric field along z-axis. The above effect can be implemented on high-contrast optical switching devices such as Mach-Zehnder push-pull device. The relationships between the characteristic (peak and dip) electric fields and the initial pump intensity are also discussed.     

Laser frequency stabilization by means of optical self-heterodyne beat-frequency control

We propose and demonstrate a novel frequency-stabilization scheme that provides linewidth narrowing and at the same time is compatible with high-speed frequency agility. The method relies on sensing and control of a heterodyne beat signal derived from a fiber interferometer and functions in the absence of a fixed reference frequency. Our demonstration utilizes a short-external-cavity diode laser equipped with an intracavity electro-optic crystal for frequency correction. The stabilization method is shown to suppress impressed laser frequency modulation by nearly 2 orders of magnitude. Without further modification of our scheme we also demonstrate laser frequency tuning control.     

An alternative optical method of determining the unknown microwave frequency by the use of electro-optic materials and semiconductor optical amplifier

There are found different established methods for measuring the frequency of an unknown microwave signal. Several resonating and electronic methods are found where the frequency of a microwave is measured with good performances, where each method has its own advantage. Here in this communication the authors propose a new concept of measuring the frequency of unknown microwave with the joint uses of reflecting semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) and electro-optic Pockel cell. To measure the frequency a known microwave source of variable and calibrated frequency is also required. Then with the help of a RSOA and electro-optic material one can find the unknown microwave frequency more accurately than that of any conventional mechanism. This method can extend a high degree of accuracy as optics is used to measure the unknown microwave frequency. As optical signal has million time greater frequency than that of microwave signal therefore a high degree of accuracy of frequency measurement is achieved. The electro-optic material takes the role of phase modulation for splitting an optical wave into several frequencies.     

Mode-selective coupler for wavelength multiplexing using LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Ti optical waveguides

A mode-selective directional coupler based on titanium in-diffused channel waveguides in lithium niobate is investigated. This coupler may be utilized as a key part of an add-drop multiplexer for dense wavelength division multiplexing in optical network nodes. The proposed coupler is based on evanescent coupling of the fundamental mode of a single-mode channel to the first higher mode of a parallel bi-modal waveguide. Our experimental results show that a compact directional coupler with coupling efficiencies larger than 90%, large bandwidth around 1550 nm, and with negligible polarization dependence can be realized using electro-optic lithium niobate substrates. Presented at 9-th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics Applications, NOA 2007, May 17–20, 2007, Świnoujście, Poland     

一种8行任意扫描的电光扫瞄器

 针对激光的快速智能扫描,综合利用晶体的双折射效应和电光效应,提出一种电控集成8行任意扫瞄的高速光扫描方案。主要由三级数字电光偏转器和8×1的周期性极化电光棱镜组构成,其中3个电光快门和3块双折射晶体构成三级数字偏转器,通过半波电压的控制实现行位置的转换,一定数目的周期性极化电光棱镜级联组成单行偏转器,通过控制电压进行单行扫描,根据电场施加方式可实现数字型或者连续型扫描。利用梯形结构的电光棱镜组设计了最大电压为5.822 kV时,扫描视场为17.256°的可通过联机控制进行任意行扫描的高速激光扫描器。     

High-temperature-recorded index gratings in periodically poled lithium niobate

Holographic index gratings based on a zero-electric-field photorefractive effect are recorded at high temperatures in copper-doped periodically poled lithium niobate crystals. The interplay between the domain structure and the index grating is studied: the fundamental grating with spatial frequency K is strongly suppressed. Pronounced sideband gratings with K(s)=K+sG appear, where G is the domain grating vector and s is an integer number. After development, an additional grating based on the electro-optic effect shows up. In contrast with the previously mentioned gratings, this grating allows anisotropic diffraction.     

Experimentally distinguishing electro-optic effects in silicon

Different electro-optic effects, such as Kerr effect, Pockels effect induced by the electric field or strain, and plasma dispersion effect exist in silicon. Experimentally distinguishing these effects is necessary for designing silicon-based electro-optic devices. According to their different polarization dependencies and frequency responses, these effects are measured and distinguished successfully via a transverse electro-optic modulation experiment based on the near-intrinsic silicon sample. The results indicate that Pockels effect induced by the electric field or strain is primary among these effects in the near-intrinsic silicon sample.     

Tunable Autler–Townes splitting using graphene-based electro-optic effect

We propose a tunable Autler–Townes splitting (ATS) window using the electro-optic effect. The proposed structure includes two cascaded silicon ring resonators side coupled to a straight waveguide. The electro-optic effect is created by a nano-layer graphene located on half of lower silicon ring resonator. Here for the first time, ATS window frequency location is adjusted by utilizing a graphene nano-sheet, so that its wavelength shift is more than 0.24 nm via changing the graphene chemical potential level from 0.445 eV to 0.667 eV. Moreover, we simulate and show the phase changes of the transmission curves around ATS frequency window and their corresponding group delays. Furthermore, switching from slow (fast) to fast (slow) light is another interesting phenomenon of the proposed structure.     

Enhanced third harmonic generation by introducing quasi-phase mismatches due to electro-optic effect

Third harmonic can be realized by the coupled second-harmonic (ω₁ + ω₁ → ω₂) and sum-frequency (ω₁ + ω₂ → ω₃) generation. However, in quasi-phase matching conditions, the efficiency of third harmonic is usually low due to the larger coupling coefficient ratio. In this paper, the third-harmonic generation in a periodically poled LiTaO₃ has been experimentally studied, where the electro-optic effect was employed to manipulate the phase mismatches and energy distribution of the coupled waves. With the DC electric field varying from 0 to 140 V/mm, the output of third harmonic can be enhanced from about 95 to 312 mW. The method provides a simple and convenient way to control the efficiencies of frequency conversion.     

Two-dimensional mapping of electro-optic phase retardation in lithium niobate crystals by digital holography

We demonstrate accurate two-dimensional mapping of the phase retardation induced by the electro-optic effect in lithium niobate crystals. Off-axis digital holography is used to investigate congruent z-cut crystals. The spatially resolved optical path difference is interferometrically measured while a linearly rising voltage ramp is applied to the crystal. This procedure provides information on the uniformity of crystals' electro-optic properties and offers the ability to detect the presence of defects that is of fundamental importance for reliable processing of photonic devices.     

Nonlinear Phase Shifts by Cascaded Optical Rectification and Linear Electro-Optic Effect

Cascaded optical rectification and the consequent linear electro-optic effect have been investigated theoretically. Nonlinear phase shift of the fundamental beam caused by the cascading process was found to be proportional to the input intensity and the propagation length as in the Kerr effect. It is notable that the depletion of the fundamental optical pulse energy is negligible even for large nonlinear phase shifts.