Q-switched Yb 3+ :YVO 4 laser with Raman self-conversion

We report the efficient continuous-wave (CW) and Q-switched laser operation of a diode-pumped Yb:YVO₄ laser. A CW output power of 1 W with a slope efficiency of 59% with respect to absorbed pump power was demonstrated. Passively Q-switched with a Cr⁴⁺:YAG saturable absorber, a Yb:YVO₄ laser with Raman conversion was demonstrated. Q-switched 18.7- J pulses with a pulse duration of 17 ns and a peak power up to 1 kW were obtained at 1018-nm fundamental wavelength and 3.6- J pulses with a pulse duration of 6 ns and a peak power of about 0.6 kW were obtained at 1119.5-nm first-Stokes wavelength.This revised version was published online in March 2005. In the previous version, the published online date was missing     

Supercontinuum extending from > 1000 to 250 nm, generated by focusing ten-fs laser pulses at 805 nm into Ar

Ten femtosecond pulses at 805 nm with energy up to 1 mJ were produced by self-phase modulation of 45-fs pulses in Ar at atmospheric pressure and subsequent compression by chirped mirrors. Focusing part of this radiation again into Ar at atmospheric pressure generates a single filament with broadband emission covering the range from > 1000 to 250 nm. This range extends farther into the UV than previously observed with such low energies, overlapping even the region of the third harmonic. Only a small fraction of the power is contained outside the central spot. Using a simple prism compressor, pulses were obtained with durations of 70 fs and energies of 700 nJ in the range 270–290 nm.This revised version was published online in March 2005. The last name of the corresponding author W. Fuß was corrected.     

Comparison of focusing optics for femtosecond X-ray diffraction

We characterize and compare four different types of focusing optics for hard X-rays, suitable for femtosecond X-ray diffraction experiments, usinga tabletop femtosecond laser-based plasma source. We demonstrate a 23 μmfocus with a toroidally bent Ge single crystal. A maximum flux of 7× 10⁸ photons/(s mm²) is generated in a 32 μm focus using a multi-layer mirror. An elliptical glass capillary yields the highest number of photons per Bragg angle [2× 10⁵ photons/(s mrad)]. The largest number of photons[3× 10⁶ photons/s] per second is obtained in the 105 μm focus of a poly-capillary optical lens system. All numbers are given for characteristic Cu K _α photons.This revised version was published online in May 2005. The Article Category was removed.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Cross-phase-modulation-induced instabilities and frequency shifts in a photonic-crystal fiber

Copropagating fundamental-wavelength and second-harmonic femtosecond pulses of Cr: forsterite laser radiation are used to study cross-phase-modulation-induced instabilities and frequency shifts in a photonic-crystal fiber. Parametric instability of the second-harmonic probe pulse induced through cross-phase modulation by the fundamental-wavelength pump pulse gives rise to distinct sidebands in the spectrum of the probe field transmitted through the fiber. The wavelength of these sidebands was tuned in our experiments within approximately 100 nm by varying the peak power and the delay time of the pump pulse, suggesting a convenient way of controlled parametric spectral transformation of ultrashort laser pulses.This revised version was published online in March 2005. In the previous version, the published online date was missing     

Surface foaming of collagen, chitosan and other biopolymer films by KrF excimer laser ablation in the photomechanical regime

Collagen, an important material made of a protein of the extracellular matrix, was extracted from rat tail tendons by acetic acid dissolution, and dry glassy films (15% water content) with smooth surfaces were casted from the solution with a thickness of ∼25 μm. Collagen and similar biopolymer films surface were exposed to single pulses of radiation of the KrF laser with increasing fluence. A white damaged area appears on the treated surface at a threshold of 0.5 J/cm² with a single pulse and becomes more visible for higher fluence. SEM and profilometry of the ablated surface displays an important swelling (∼5–7 μm) and a microscopic foam structure indicative of the laser induced expansion of the excited material. This process is due to the explosive ablation (a critical phenomenon also called explosive boiling or phase explosion) of the irradiated material and produces upon laser heating a high concentration of bubbles within the polymer because of the relatively large absorption depth (20 μm) and the presence of a large amount of water in the material. Further bubble colliding and bursting produces a three-dimensional polymer micro-foam with interconnected pores. This is the first this result has been reported. The laser induced micro-foam may display some interesting properties for new applications. PACS 42.62; 61.82; 42.70-aThis revised version was published online in June 2005 with corrections to equations 7, 9 and 10.     

Tunable wavelength conversion between picosecond pulses using cascaded second-order nonlinearity in LiNbO3 waveguides

Tunable wavelength conversion between picosecond pulses is demonstrated by exploiting cascaded secondorder nonlinearity in periodically poled LiNbO₃ waveguides when the pump pulse with 40-GHz repetition rate and 7.5-ps pulse width is adopted. No external continuous-wave input is required in the proposed wavelength converter. The converted signal wavelength can be tuned from 1519 to 1562.6 nm as the lasing wavelength is changed from 1534.5 to 1572.1 nm.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

High average power ultra-fast fiber chirped pulse amplification system

We report on a high-gain diode-pumped ytterbium-doped fiber-amplifier system delivering pulse energies in the 100-μJ range at high repetition rates (32 kHz) with nearly-diffraction-limited beam quality (M²∼1.7) at a 1060-nm center wavelength. Femtosecond seed-laser pulses are stretched in a commercially available single-mode fiber and compressed after amplification to subpicosecond pulse duration. In a multimode Yb-doped fiber amplifier we have demonstrated average powers of up to 22 W and single-pulse energies of up to 130 μJ. Received: 16 August 2000 / Revised version: 4 September 2000 / Published online: 8 November 2000     

13-W picosecond Nd:GdVO4 regenerative amplifier with 200-kHz repetition rate

We report a diode-pumped picosecond Nd:GdVO₄ regenerative amplifier system designed for micro-machining applications. Nd:GdVO₄ was chosen as gain material because it offers – in comparison to the commonly used Nd:YVO₄ – improved thermal properties and a larger gain bandwidth. At the maximum repetition rate of 200 kHz, the system generated 6.8-ps-long pulses with a pulse energy of 65 μJ, which corresponds to an average output power of 13 W. At 100 kHz, the pulse energy increased to 123 μJ, whereas the average power of 12.3 W remained almost identical. The broadening of the pulses due to gain narrowing was investigated in dependence on the number of cavity round trips and on the repetition rate. At 200 kHz, the injected 5.3-ps-long pulses broadened slightly to about 6.8 ps.     

3D Modeling of amplification processes in CPA laser amplifiers

We present here chirped pulse amplification simulations allowing for the extension of the generally used 1D model. The importance of the beam spatial profiles, diffraction and thermal effects in simulations is clearly shown in order to describe with accuracy the gain saturation. Experimental measurements performed on a 100 TW laser validate this calculation. The effects of dispersion and self-focusing are also studied.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Fabrication of copper oxide nanofluid using submerged arc nanoparticle synthesis system (SANSS)

The optimal parameters are found for preparing nanofluid in our submerged arc nanoparticle synthesis system (SANSS) using a copper electrode. A suspended copper oxide nanofluid is thus produced at the current of 8.5–10 A, voltage of 220 V, pulse duration of 12 μs, and dielectric liquid temperature of 2°C. The CuO nanoparticle are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction pattern (SAD) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The equality volume spherical diameter of the obtained copper oxide particle is 49.1 nm, regular shape and narrow size distribution.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

THz generation via optical rectification with ultrashort laser pulse focused to a line

We report on efficient THz pulse generation via optical rectification with femtosecond laser pulses focused to a line by a cylindrical lens. This configuration provides phase-matched conditions in the superluminal regime. 35 pJ THz pulses have been generated with this technique in a stoichiometric LiNbO₃ crystal pumped by 2 μJ femtosecond laser pulses at room temperature. An unusual superquadratic rise of the THz pulse energy with the laser pulse energy has been observed at high laser energies. This extraordinary energy dependence of the THz generation efficiency is explained by self-focusing of the laser beam in the crystal. Z-scan measurements and comparison of the THz pulse spectra created with laser pulses having different energies confirm this interpretation.     

Polymer-assisted complexing controlled orientation growth of ZnO nanorods

The growth of the oriented zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods on silicon substrates based on a simple novel chemical transformation and thermal hydrolysis by using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as self-assembling complex polymer was introduced in this paper. All the polymers were removed after chemical oxidation and only the carbonized grid backbones remained that confines the ZnO nanorod’s diameter and enhance the absorption and diffusion of ZnO at the tips of the nanorods during growth. The ZnO nanorods are investigated by FTIR, XRD and FE-SEM. The results indicated that these nanorods have fine hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure and their diameter varies from 20 to 90 nm and the length up to about 1 μm. A polymer-localized ZnO growth model is proposed, which well explains the growth behavior of ZnO nanorods.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

High resolution print-patterning of a nano-suspension

In this paper we report a breakthrough in accurately print-patterning features from a nano-suspension. Twenty nanometer size equiaxed silica particles dispersed in a liquid medium were subjected to electrohydrodynamic forces and the type of jetting observed was mapped over a pico to femto flow rate regime-electric field parametric space. In the stable cone-jet mode, ∼60 μm features are patterned using a unique but simple, computer-controlled device. By reducing the flow rate by a further three orders of magnitude, a fine jet can be generated instantaneously and we are able to exploit this and accurately position ∼13 μm diameter equiv-spaced droplet-relics, which contain a dense assembly of the nanoparticles. We also demonstrate drawing of ∼17 μm wide lines of the nano-suspension.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected issue number.     

Beam quality of a high-power CO2 laser MOPA system

In this paper, the effects of amplification of diffraction-limited pulsed CO₂ laser radiation over several meters of amplification length on beam quality and pointing stability are documented. Millijoule pulses are amplified up to 3 J. Generation and amplification of the 10 μm wavelength pulses were performed in the discharge volume of an e-beam sustained CO₂ laser. Beam quality is measured according to the ISO/DIS 11146 standard in terms of the beam quality factor M². Fluence distributions were recorded with a beam analysing system of 100 μm spatial resolution. M² parameter values ranged up to 1.55 for amplified pulse energies of 3 J. The necessity of beam-quality restoring techniques is inferred for the multijoule pulse energy regime.     

Enhanced production of fast multi-charged ions from plasmas formed at cleaned surface by femtosecond laser pulse

We present atomic, energy, and charge spectra of ions accelerated at the front surface of a silicon target irradiated by a high-contrast femtosecond laser pulse with an intensity of 3×10¹⁶ W/cm², which is delayed with respect to a cleaning nanosecond laser pulse of 3-J/cm² energy density. A tremendous increase in the number of fast silicon ions and a significant growth of their maximum charge in the case of the cleaned target from 5+ to 12+ have been observed. The main specific features of the atomic, energy, and charge spectra have been analyzed by means of one-dimensional hydrodynamic transient-ionization modeling. It is shown that fast highly charged silicon ions emerge from the hot plasma layer with a density a few times less than the solid one, and their charge distribution is not deteriorated during plasma expansion.This revised version was published online in August 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Double-ring cavity configuration of actively mode-locked multi-wavelength fiber laser with equally tunable wavelength spacing

A novel actively mode-locked multi-wavelength tunable fiber laser with equally increased or decreased wavelength spacing is presented. It is constructed using a double-ring cavity combined with an amplitude modulator and cascaded fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The cavity lengths for all FBGs are intrinsically identical due to the double-ring configuration, and simultaneous mode locking of multiple wavelengths is therefore achieved by applying only one mode-locking signal to the modulator. The FBGs are mounted on a organic plate with angles between adjacent gratings such that the forces applied to the FBGs have an equal force increment; thus, stretching or compressing the cascaded FBGs can achieve a wavelength tuning with equally increased or decreased wavelength spacing.This revised version was published online in March 2005. In the previous version, the published online date was missing     

An all-solid-state laser system for generation of 100 μJ femtosecond pulses near 625 nm at 1 kHz

Frequency doubling the output of a high-power femtosecond Cr:forsterite regenerative amplifier with >50% conversion efficiency in a temperature-tuned noncritically phase-matched LBO crystal produces femtosecond pulses of >100 μJ energy in the visible range near 625 nm at a pulse duration of about 200 fs or >65 μJ at <170 fs. Received: 29 March 1999 / Revised version: 27 April 1999 / Published online: 24 June 1999     

Fiber based high repetition rate, high energy laser source applying chirped pulse amplification

We demonstrate the potential of a high-gain Yb-fiber amplifier system to provide ultrashort pulses with high energies. 100 μJ pulses generated at a repetition rate of 32 kHz exhibit nearly diffraction limited output (M²≈1.7) at a 1060 nm center wavelength. Using chirped pulse amplification, temporally streched laser pulses from a femtosecond oscillator could be compressed after amplification to subpicosecond pulse duration. The achievable intensities are high enough to create plasmas which can efficiently convert laser light to the extreme ultraviolet radiation. In a multimode Yb-doped fiber amplifier we obtained average powers of up to 22 W and single pulse energies up to 130 μJ.     

High performance Cr4+:YAG Q-switched CW diode pumped Nd:YAG laser

This paper reports the operation of a Cr4+:YAG Q-switched CW diode laser pumped Nd:YAG at 1064nm. The laser performances resulted in 167 μ J, 21ns pulses at 10kHz, and 1.67W power output. When intracavity polarized, stable amplitude (fluctuations <±1%), TEM00, 153 μ J pulses were generated allowing 50% SHG in KTP. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Noncollinear optical parametric amplification in lithium triborate seeded by a cw Ti:sapphire laser

Experimental investigations of a type-I noncollinear phase-matched optical parametric amplification based on lithium triborate, which was pumped by a 5-ns second-harmonic pulses from a Q-switched Nd:YAG, seeded by a cw Ti:sapphire laser at 800 nm, was presented. The experiments generated 2-ns signal output pulses at 800 nm, the maximum signal output pulse energy reached 19 μJ, the corresponding parametric gain was 44 dB. Furthermore, the experiments demonstrate that the 65 nm-FWHM parametric fluorescence gain spectrum could also be observed. A quantitative account of the ultrabroadband parametric fluorescence gain spectrum was given with our theory. The experimental measurements are in agreement with theoretical calculations.