Absorption coefficients of O3 at CO2 laser wavelengths

The O₃ absorption coefficients for the rotational lines P(12)–P(28) of the 9.4 μm emission band of the CO₂ laser are presented. Measurements were made in O₃–air dilute mixtures (20–600 ppm) at 25°C and a total pressure of 1013.25 h Pa using a frequency stabilized cw CO₂ laser and values have been determined with greater precision than in previously reported studies.     

High resolution cw cars spectroscopy of the q-branch of the ν2 band in C2H2

The fully resolved spectrum of the Q-branch of the ν₂ band in acetylene has been obtained by cw CARS spectroscopy with a resolution of 40 MHz. The dispersion of χ⁽³⁾ and the linewidth of this Raman mode were investigated over the pressure range 0.05–5 atm. The constant of rotational-vibrational coupling was measured to be £ = (5.91 ± 0.05) × 10^-3 cm^-1.     

Temperature and pressure dependence of NMR frequencies in ferromagnetic Heusler alloys containing cobalt and manganese

The ⁵⁹Co and ⁵⁵Mn NMR frequencies ν in Co₂MnZ (Z = Si, Ge, Sn and Ga) were measured as a function of temperature T and pressure P by the cw method. The ν/ν_4.2 value decreased faster for ⁵⁹Co than for ⁵⁵Mn with increasing T/T_C especially in Co₂MnGa, for which ∂ν/∂P was positive at 0°C in contrast to the results in other alloys.     

Efficient doubling and CW difference frequency mixing in the infrared using the chalcopyrite CdGeAs2

We have obtained fifteen percent average internal power conversion efficiency for second harmonic generation in CdGeAs₂ of radiation from a TEA CO₂ laser operating at 10.6 μm. This is the highest reported doubling efficiency for a CO₂ laser. We have also observed cw difference frequency mixing in CdGeAs₂ at wavelengths between 11.4 and 16.8 μm using grating-tuned CO and CO₂ lasers. The CdGeAs₂ crystals are significantly improved in size and optical quality over those previously available.     

Intracavity frequency-doubled diode-pumped Nd : LaSc3(BO3)4 lasers

 An intracavity frequency-doubled 10%Nd : LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ (Nd : LSB) laser was investigated in different resonator configurations and in different operation modes under continuous wave (cw) and quasi-cw laser-diode pumping. With a Cr⁴⁺ : YAG passive modulator and a KTP crystal the second-harmonic output power at 531 nm amounted to 190 mW in Q-switched TEM₀₀ mode at 750 mW of pump power. In a sandwich resonator, when all the optical elements were in direct contact with each other, 0.8 W of green output power was obtained in cw mode under 2.7 W of pump power with a slope efficiency of 44%. In the same setup under fiber-coupled diode-laser array pumping (5.6 W of incident power), 1.2 W of green output power was achieved in cw mode and 1.4 W in quasi-cw mode. Received: 30 April 1996/Revised version: 1 July 1996     

CW and self-mode-locking performance of a red pumped Cr: LiSr0.8Ca0.2AlF6 laser

Reported is cw lasing and sub-100 femtosecond pulse generation in end-pumped Cr³⁺: LiSr_0.8Ca_0.2AlF₆, a congruently melting compound intermediate between Cr³⁺: LiSrAlF₆ and Cr³⁺: LiCaAlF₆. Using a dispersion compensated cavity with no active or passive mode-locking elements in the cavity, self-sustained stable modelocked pulses of 90 fs duration at 140 MHz repetition frequency were initiated by rocking of the output coupler.     

Highly efficient, low-cost femtosecond Cr3+ :LiCAF laser pumped by single-mode diodes

We describe efficient continuous-wave (cw) and cw mode-locked operations of a Cr3+ :LiCAF laser, pumped by inexpensive single spatial mode laser diodes. Up to 280 mW of cw output power was obtained with 570 mW of absorbed pump power, with a corresponding slope efficiency of 54%. Continuous tuning between 765 and 865 nm was demonstrated using a fused silica prism. A semiconductor saturable absorber mirror was used to initiate and sustain stable, self-starting, mode-locked operation. In cw mode locking, the laser produced 72 fs (FWHM) duration pulses, and 1.4 nJ pulse energy, at an average output power of 178 mW. Electrical to optical conversion efficiencies of 7.8% in mode-locked operation and 12.2% in cw operation were demonstrated.     

Stimulated emission and laser action of Pr3+-doped YA1O3

Groundstate absorption, fluorescence, excited-state absorption, and stimulated emission of Pr:YA1O₃ were measured in dependence on the polarization. The results reflect the anisotropy of the host lattice. Especially the polarized spectra of the stimulated emission fit very well with the laser data of this material. Seven cw laser transitions in the visible spectral range obtained so far in Pr:YA1O₃ with argon-ion laser pumping were identified in the spectra of the stimulated emission. In addition, two infrared cw laser transitions were realized. The best results were achieved for the³ P ₀³ F ₄ laser transition at 746.9 nm with a maximum slope efficiency of 24.6%, a maximum output power of 49.6 mW, and a laser threshold of 25 mW.     

Spectroscopy and femtosecond laser performance of Yb3+:YAlO3 crystal

We report what we believe to be the first demonstration of cw and passively mode-locked Yb(3+):YAlO(3) (Yb:YAP) laser operation under diode pumping. Spectroscopic properties of a 0.6 at.%Yb(3+)-doped YAP single crystal were investigated. Output power up to 1.2 W with slope efficiency of 64.5% in the cw regime and 225 fs pulse duration with average power of 0.8 W from a mode-locked Yb:YAP laser were demonstrated.     

Doppler-free optoacoustic spectroscopy

The first observation of Doppler-free optoacoustic spectroscopy is reported. As a first example the P (193) line of the 11-0 band of the B←X transition of ¹²⁷I₂ is used. The output of cw single mode dye laser is split into two equal intensity beams chopped at frequencies ω₁ and ω₂. The nonlinear compoment of the optoacoustic signal at the frequency (ω₁ + ω₂) is detected and Doppler-free resolution is obtained. Comparing the Doppler-free optoacoustic and fluorescence spectra of iodine measured under similar conditions, good agreement is found. Since optoacoustic and fluorescence methods complement each other, this opens up new possibilities for weakly or nonfluorescing molecules.     

New green self-frequency-doubling diode-pumped Nd:Ca4GdO(BO3)3 laser

3+ :Ca₄GdO(BO₃)₃ (Nd:GdCOB). 21 mW of green cw laser emission for an absorbed pump power of 820 mW were achieved under laser diode-pumping. 64 mW of green cw laser output were obtained with 1 W of absorbed pump power under titanium-sapphire pumping. Its availability in large-size crystals with good optical quality makes Nd:GdCOB a true challenger to the best SFD laser crystal reported so far: Nd:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ (Nd:YAB or NYAB). Received: 2 March 1998/Revised version: 20 May 1998     

Recent progress in the development of type II interband cascade lasers

Type-II interband cascade lasers combine the advantage of an interband optical transition with interband tunneling to enable the cascading of type-II quantum well active regions as is done in type-I quantum cascade laser. The relatively high radiative efficiency resulting from interband optical transitions translates into very low-threshold current densities, and when combined with the high quantum efficiency of cascade lasers, this diode laser design has the potential to operate under cw conditions at room temperature with high output power. Experimental results have already demonstrated some of this potential including high differential external quantum efficiency (>600%), high peak output power (6 W/facet at 80 K), high cw power conversion efficiency (>17% at 80 K), and operation at 300 K under pulsed conditions. Recent work aimed at reducing device thermal resistance and increasing cw operating temperature is reviewed including the demonstration of significant reductions in thermal resistance (averaging 25 K/W or 40% for 1-mm-long devices), 80 K cw operation at 3.4 μm with high-power conversion efficiency (23%) and high differential external quantum efficiency (532%), and cw operation up to 214 K.     

Efficient diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 continuous-wave laser at 1.34 μm

We report a high-power continuous-wave(cw) diode-pumped efficient 1.34 μm Nd:YVO₄ laser. The laser properties of a low Nd³⁺-doped concentration of the Nd:YVO₄ crystal operating at 1.34 μm formed with a simple plane-concave cavity have been demonstrated. With the incident pump power of 22 W, an output power of 8.24 W was obtained, giving an optical conversion efficiency of 37.5% and slope efficiency of 40%. The thermal effects of cw end-pumped solid-state lasers were studied.     

High power 1.3414 μm Nd:YAP cw laser

The eigen-oscillation mode of the Nd:YAP cw laser has been analysed. The influence of thermal effects arising from the pumping process on the output character of the 1.3414 μm Nd:YAP cw laser has been discussed. The crack problem of the reflective film at a 1.34 μm dielectric mirror has been solved. Based on the aforementioned work, we have been able to achieve an 82.8 W laser output at 1.3414 μm with a nearly polarized beam from a 5.8 mm diameter by 111 mm Nd:YAP rod. The overall efficiency and the slope efficiency are 1.15% and 2.02% respectively, and the fluctuation of the output power at 62 W is less than 1% during continuous operation for 45 min.     

在NaGdF4：Tm3+, Dy3+中Gd3+间的能量迁移及Gd3+-Dy3+能量传递量子效率

基于量子剪裁基本原理,通过光谱技术研究NaGdF₄:Tm³⁺,Dy³⁺在一个真空紫外光子激发下获得两个蓝色光子的可能性。在这种化合物中,量子剪裁通过下转换,即通过应用不同镧系离子间的能量传递进行。通过对Tm 4f¹²-4f¹¹5d激发,部分能量从Tm³⁺离子5d态直接传递给Gd³⁺,然后在Gd³⁺-Tm³⁺之间发生交叉弛豫,剩余能量从Gd³⁺传递给Dy³⁺,产生两个可见光子发射,一个来自Tm³⁺的¹G₄-³H₆跃迁,另一个来自Dy³⁺的⁴F_9/2-⁶H_15/2跃迁。主要研究获得以NaGdF₄:Tm³⁺,Dy³⁺为基础的新型具有更高效率,更高稳定性和更强真空紫外(VUV)吸收量子剪裁发光粉的可能性。各种光谱技术,如光致发光、激发和衰减等被用来表征不同Dy³⁺浓度掺杂NaGdF₄中Gd³⁺晶格间能量迁移引起的施主Gd³⁺和受主Dy³⁺之间的能量传递。结果表明Gd³⁺离子之间存在能量迁移,随之交换相互作用引起施主与受主(Gd³⁺-Dy³⁺)之间的能量传递。通过Bursh-tein等人关于激发态的弛豫理论,施主-受主能量传递参数k_DS可以从Gd³⁺的⁶P_7/2发射的衰减计算出。Gd³⁺-Dy³⁺能量传递量子效率也可以得到。NaGdF₄:Tm³⁺和NaGdF₄:Tm³⁺,Dy³⁺是由水热法制备的,NaGdF₄:Dy³⁺是由文献[4]方法制备的。发射光谱和激发光谱通过自制的VUV光谱仪和F-4500测量。衰减曲线由OPO激光器激发获得Gd³⁺-Dy³⁺之间能量传递量子效率在受主浓度大约在N_A=0.6%时达到最佳值,并且明显地观测到浓度猝灭效应。     

Highly efficient infrared-to-visible energy upconversion in Er(3+):Y(2)O(3)

Very intense green and red emission was observed at room temperature from the (4)S(3/2) and (4)F(9/2) levels of Er(3+):Y(2)O(3). A cw diode laser at 975 nm was used as a pump for resonant sequential excitation of the (4)I(11/2) and (4)F(7/2) levels. The fluorescence was easily visible to the naked eye, even with 27 mW of excitation power. It was found that at 850 mW of cw excitation power the total luminance was 39,000 cd/m(2). This corresponds to ~100 muW of green emission and 270 muW of red emission.     

Raman phase conjugate resonator for intracavity aero-optic turbulence aberration correction

A cw degenerate phase conjugate resonator (PCR) with intracavity aero-optic turbulent flow is demonstrated using sodium vapor pumped with a low intensity cw laser. A turbulent helium jet at a high flow velocity of 250 m/s and forcing frequency of 18 kHz generated the spatio-temporal aberrations. The intracavity normalized peak-to-peak intensity fluctuations at 18 kHz measured with a pinhole-detector are ten times smaller in the corrected beam than in the aberrated beam. The threshold pump intensity for the resonator is 4.5 W/cm² in the absence of the turbulent flow. The pump frequency is tuned well within the Doppler width of the Na D₁ transition. Evidence of a degenerate (laboratory frame) double-Λ mechanism involving Zeeman sublevels is also shown.     

CW ultraviolet saturation spectroscopy of the 6p 3P0-9s 3S1 transition in mercury at 246.5 nm

We have measured the even isotope structure of the 6p ³P₀-9s ³S₁ transition in mercury at 246.5 nm using saturated absorption spectroscopy with radiation produced as the sum frequency of a 363.8 nm argon ion laser and an LD700 ring dye laser in ADP. This is the first use of cw sum-frequency mixing in nonlinear laser spectroscopy in the ultraviolet. No previous cw Doppler-free measurements have been reported at wavelenghts below 294.5 nm     

Upper limit on the decay Σ(1385)→Σγ and cross section for γΣ→Λπ

Coherent Λπ⁻ production on Pb of 600 GeV Σ⁻ hyperons has been studied with the SELEX facility at Fermilab. Using the Primakoff formalism, we set a 90% CL upper limit on the radiative decay width Γ[Σ(1385)⁻→Σ⁻γ]<9.5 keV, and estimate the cross section for γΣ⁻→Λπ⁻ at  GeV to be 56±16 μb.     

Frequency-tunable 500-mW continuous-wave all-solid-state single-frequency source in the blue spectral region

A compact source of stable cw single-frequency radiation at 473 nm has been realized by second-harmonic generation of a diode-pumped miniature Nd:YAG ring laser operating on the (4)F(3/2) - (4)I(9/2) laser transition. By use of potassium niobate (KNbO(3)), single-longitudinal-mode output powers of 500 mW cw with high stability and maximum optical-to-optical conversion efficiencies >81% are achieved. An external semimonolithic cavity permits mode-hop-free frequency tuning of blue radiation over as much as 20 GHz.