Unstable resonator and output-coupling design study for diffraction radiation generator near-mm sources

Configurations of unstable resonators that could be used for diffraction radiation generators (DRG's) are presented. The output coupling of a negative branch unstable resonator exhibits an extreme sensitivity to mirror radius and appears to be unsuited to DRG use. The positive branch resonator does not exhibit this sensitivity to mirror radius, and the mirror radii that are needed to give output couplings of a few percent appear practical.Work conducted at the Harry Diamond Laboratories.     

Losses of Aperture Coupling Resonators for Extended Range of Fresnel Numbers

Laser resonator losses with output coupling apertures (holes) have been calculated before but in limited ranges. We have extended such calculations, for the benefit of laser designers, using full diffraction theory, to cover the range of the Fresnel Number N up to 100. Here N is defined by a ²/b with a the radius of the two mirrors and b their separation, while is the wavelength of interest. The losses have been examined from the point of view of the field configuration at the mirrors. Such field is modified, in turn, by the size of the aperture.In addition, the results have been compared with a simple linear model. This has been used to derive a simplified expression, in close form, to calculate cavity losses. Although limited in scope, this expression should prove valuable to a laser cavity designer in performing preliminary designs in regions not covered by our detailed calculations.     

Diffraction losses of an asymmetric stable laser resonator using an equivalent resonator

An asymmetric stable laser resonator with one large mirror and the other mirror apertured is considered. An equivalent symmetric resonator is derived which enables the determination of the theoretical diffraction losses from Li's computations. Experiments are done to test the validity of the predictions. The experimental diffraction losses agree very well with the theoretical values and the usefulness of the concept of equivalent resonator is therefore confirmed.     

Folded diffractive laser resonators with user-defined fundamental mode

The adjustment effort required for the alignment of laser resonators with arbitrarily shaped end mirrors can be significantly reduced by folding the resonator path half-way between the two end mirrors and by slightly tilting the resonator axis. Thus the resulting resonator consists only of one diffractive mirror and a plane mirror, and the separate alignment of both diffractive end mirrors with respect to each other can be avoided. This principle is demonstrated by a Nd:YAG laser with super-Gaussian output beam. Furthermore, it is shown theoretically that the influence of phase quantization effects on the beam quality can be strongly reduced as a consequence of the tilted resonator axis.     

Initial operation of a higher-power quasi-optical gyrotron

Results from the initial operation of a high-power quasi-optical gyrotron based on the 90-kV, 50-A Varian VUW-8144 electron gun are reported. The output power and efficiency have been measured for a resonator mirror separation of 19.4 cm with a magnetic field of 4.95 T, corresponding to resonator output coupling of 1.9%, and for a resonator mirror separation of 21.4 cm with a magnetic field of 4.7 T, corresponding to a resonator output coupling of 3.1%. Operation was multimoded with 3-6 modes excited in the range of 125-130 GHz for the 4.95-T magnetic field. A peak efficiency of 15% at an output power of 161 kW was obtained for a gun voltage of 93 kV and a current of 12 A. A peak-output power of 364 kW at an efficiency of 10% was obtained at a voltage of 95.6 kV and 37.5 A     

输出环状光束的新型激光谐振腔

提出一种输出环状光束的新型激光谐振腔,即在稳定激光谐振腔中采用外环耦合方式得到环状光束的输出。利用For-Li数值迭代算法求解此类激光谐振腔的积分方程,通过计算机编程计算了平面一凹球面稳定谐振腔的输出端平面镜在不同半径的情况下,谐振腔镜面上和衍射耦合输出场基模的振幅和相位分布。计算结果预示了当输出端平面镜半径小于通常的稳定腔的基模半径时,衍射耦合输出场有稳定的环状光束输出。实验中TEA CO2激光器采用印刷电路板预电离结构,增益长度90cm,腔长5m,球面全反射镜曲率半径20m,输出端平面镜半径4．5mm,得到了内环半径为4．5mm、外环半径为5．5mm的基模环形光斑输出。从而在理论上和实验上证实了该方案产生环状光束的可行性。     

Design of a 2.5 THz submillimeter wave laser with optical pump beam guiding

A ring resonator design using the same set of mirrors for pump beam and submillimeter wave (SMMW) beam guiding is introduced. Optimal design is discussed on the example of a 2.5 THz methanol laser. It turns out that due to refocussing of the pump beam on the pinhole certain focal lengths of the focussing mirror, which mainly is responsible for the beam guiding, should be avoided. Diffraction losses and pinhole losses determine optimalg-parameters for which the pump beam guiding losses of the resonator are minimum, and optimal pump beam waist radii.The setup of an experimental laser with the optimized resonator and the experimental setup to measure laser performance are described, and results concerning laser output power, beam quality and efficiency are discussed.     

Coupling Losses for Resonators with Unequal Apertures for Extended Fresnel Numbers

Coupling losses have been calculated for laser resonators with unequal apertures and extended Fresnel Numbers. This was done using both, diffraction theory and a simple linear model.A close form expression was derived to calculate coupling losses with reasonable accuracies for a limited range of paramters. This should help in the preliminary design of hole coupling laser resonators.     

Coupling Losses and Discrimination of Annular Waveguide Laser Resonators

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Calculation of Conversion Efficiency of a Doubly Resonant Optical Parametric Oscillator

The problem of calculating the conversion efficiency for a doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator with a Fabry-Perot type resonator configuration is reinvestigated, extending the usual theoretical treatment, which is restricted to highly reflecting resonator mirrors, to the case of arbitrary reflectivity R of the output mirror. For decreasing R both the signal and the idler wave acquire growing portions of travelling waves, and it is shown by numerical analysis that this effect leads to a remarkable enhancement of the conversion efficiency (as a function of the relative excitation). In particular, the maximum efficiency may considerably exceed the value 50% to be attained by means of high quality resonators (1 — R < 1).     

失调多腔镜型环形谐振腔共轭光轴位置精度分析

为了详细分析由多个反射镜构成的谐振腔内的闭合光轴(共轭光轴)的特性以及存在条件, 首先从光束传输坐标变换的角度, 分析了由多个平面镜所构成的谐振腔的共轭光轴存在条件, 得出了奇数平面镜谐振腔仅当平面镜间具有高精度的相同垂直度时才存在闭合光轴, 而偶数平面镜谐振腔总是存在闭合光轴的结论, 并给出了腔共轭轴随腔镜方向失调而产生的角度变化关系. 然后从矩阵光学的角度分析包含球面镜的谐振腔的共轭光轴在腔镜间传输时的方向变换问题, 具体分析了由两个平面镜和一个球面镜构成的三角形环形谐振腔的闭合共轭光轴存在的问题. 结果表明, 当不同的镜子出现角度偏差时, 腔内仍然存在闭合的共轭光轴, 并给出了对应的腔轴变化以及新谐振面的位置及方向. 由此表明由于球面镜的加入降低了谐振腔共轭轴存在性对平面镜间高精度平行度的要求, 为基于高品质光学无源腔的光谱测量技术的高精度装调工作提供了理论指导.     

Coupling Losses and Discrimination of Annular Waveguide Laser Resonators

An approach of calculating the coupling losses in a coaxial (or annular) waveguide laser resonator is developed by which the computational time is considerably reduced. Computations of the coupling losses for some TE modes of an annular waveguide, as a function of mirror curvature and position, are presented in the limit of large mirror aperture. It is shown that there exist three special configurations to provide low coupling losses. The resonator properties are discussed. The calculating results are useful for design of annular waveguide laser resonators.     

空间谐振式陀螺谐振腔的失调分析

为了克服平面谐振腔调节精度高、损耗大的困难,提出了一种新型空间谐振式陀螺的谐振腔结构。并利用光学变换矩阵和菲涅尔-基尔霍夫衍射积分公式建立数学模型,通过MATLAB仿真计算谐振腔各腔镜因失调引起的衍射损耗。计算结果表明当谐振腔边长为4cm,入射光束束腰半径为0.25mm时,凹面镜的曲率半径为0.397m,反射镜失调引起的衍射损耗近似为0,即失调对陀螺的性能没有影响。得到陀螺的极限灵敏度为1.54°/h。     

Quartz CO2 waveguide laser with a separated diffraction grating

A quartz CO₂ waveguide laser with external totally reflecting mirrors and a NaCl plate for the output power coupling is described. The output power was measured as a function of the distance of the mirrors from the waveguide aperture. Using a diffraction grating instead of one of the mirrors the output power at the 10 P(20) line was measured as a function of the mirror position. The results sustain the assumption of a multimode waveguide structure.     

Walk-off ring-down spectroscopy: attaining ultrafast resolution by converting time into space

A new technique for monitoring time-resolved phenomena is demonstrated by which a probe beam is directed into an optical cavity. Spatially separated output pulses are produced by directing the incident beam into the cavity in such a way that it walks in a direction transverse to the optical axis as it propagates between the two mirrors. This effect may be achieved either by a plane-parallel resonator oriented at a nonzero angle of incidence or by a wedge cavity, for which one of the mirrors is set at an angular offset. The spatially resolved output train may then be related to the time-dependent attributes of the resonator and the molecules it encloses. Time resolution is controlled by the separation of the mirrors, wedge geometry, and the angle of incidence. A time resolution of better than 4 ps is achieved using a 500 µm mirror separation and a 20° angle of incidence.     

波导FEL振荡器的孔耦合输出特性

波长５００μｍ的远红外自由电子激光振荡器，是由平面被导和两个对称金属柱面镜组成的半封闭光腔．由于反射镜具有反射率，在下游镜的轴上开一个半径为Ｒｈ的圆孔来输出功率．孔耦合输出是一种简单、有效的输出方式，并可以广谱输出．缺点是抽取率随波长变化，计算很复杂．本文给出了用三维程序数值模拟结果．给出了腔内功率，输出功率，抽取率及腔镜边缘的衍射损失随小孔半径的变化．结果表明，选取适当的孔径，既可以有效地输出功率，又能保持较高的腔内功率和较纯净的腔模．     

非稳腔模式计算中Colins公式适用性的分析

Ｃｏｌｉｎｓ公式将几何光学和波动光学联系在一起，能以简单的形式描述相干光在复杂光学系统中的传输，但忽略了光学系统中一些光学元件的衍射损耗。当Ｃｏｌｉｎｓ公式用于激光谐振腔的本征模式计算时，其适用程度与被忽略腔镜的有效菲涅尔数有关。本文用数值方法求解了两组谐振腔本征积分方程，一组应用Ｃｏｌｉｎｓ公司推导，另一组用菲涅尔－惠更斯衍射积分推导，结果表明：对稳定腔Ｃｏｌｉｎｓ公式基本适用；对非稳腔，当被忽略腔镜的有效菲涅尔数＞１时，原则上可以用，当被忽略腔镜的有效菲涅尔数＜１时不适用；对有源非稳腔基本适用。     

On the design of open resonators for quasi-optical gyrotrons

In the design of a 120 GHz 200 kW quasi-optical gyrotron, we have analyzed the influence of the open resonator geometry (two circular mirrors facing one another) on the electronic efficiency, the ohmic losses, the output coupling and the multimode behavior. The method we have used to optimized the resonator design will be presented. Mode selectivity is improved by using a resonator formed by two mirrors each of which has a central step. Numerical simulations show that single mode operation can also be attained in the more favorable situation of a magnetic field having a positive taper over the interaction region.     

热变形谐振腔的激光模式理论分析

 应用微扰理论,对微热变形腔的激光模式进行了理论计算与分析;给出了激光模式之间的耦合以及等效光束发散角与镜面变形量之间的关系。结果表明：镜面中心处热变形量越大,模式之间的耦合越强,激光腔模式发生畸变就越严重;当镜面中心处热变形量为0.5λ时,基模TEM₀的中心光强将下降50%,其等效光束发散角将增大到镜面无变形时的2倍。     

变耦合率法测量化学激光器小信号增益

为了评价化学激光器增益发生器模块的性能,采用变耦合率法对化学激光器的小信号增益系数进行了研究。实验中采用的稳定光学谐振腔由2块全反射平面镜、1块全反射凹面镜及1块输出耦合镜组成。将测量结果中存在的饱和光强、非输出损耗和小信号增益的三元拟合问题转化为二元数值问题。通过数值拟合得到了满足工程需求的数据结果,并对该结果进行了误差分析。应用数学方差分析发现平均值二对应的拟合曲线与实验测量结果符合得更好,化学激光器的输出功率存在极大值。