External anisotropic feedback effects on the phase difference behavior of output intensities in microchip Nd:YAG lasers

We present the effects of optical feedback from an anisotropic external cavity on the characteristics of the output intensities in a single mode Nd:YAG laser. Due to the birefringence effect, the external cavity modulates laser intensities in the two orthogonal directions with a phase difference, which is twice as large as that of the birefringence element in the external cavity. Experimental results are presented, as well as a theoretical analysis. The potential applications of this phenomenon are also discussed. PACS 42.60.Jf; 42.62.Eh; 42.25.Lc; 42.60.By     

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of microchip Nd:YAG laser and its application in angle measurement

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of the microchip Nd:YAG laser are presented. When a birefringence element is placed in the external feedback cavity of the laser, two orthogonally polarized laser beams with a phase difference are output. The phase difference is twice as large as the phase retardation in the external cavity along the two orthogonal directions. The variable extra-cavity birefringence, caused by rotation of the external-cavity birefringence element, results in tunable phase difference between the two orthogonally polarized beams. This means that the roll angle information has been translated to phase difference of two output laser beams. A theoretical analysis based on the Fabry--Perot cavity equivalent model and refractive index ellipsoid is presented, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. This phenomenon has potential applications for roll angle measurement.     

Output response in orthogonal directions of a He–Ne laser caused by birefringent-external-cavity feedback

The output responses of phase, amplitude, and polarization of light intensity of a He–Ne laser with the birefringent external cavity are presented. All phenomena are observed in two orthogonal directions related to the birefringent element’s orientation, and are studied under weak optical feedback. Experiments are carried out in five available detecting positions. It is found that laser intensities are modulated in the two orthogonal directions simultaneously, with a phase difference dominated by the phase retardation of the birefringence element. The modulation amplitudes are different in the two directions. A special polarization phenomenon is also observed and discussed. This research may provide a potential novel measuring principle for transparent birefringent materials.     

Anisotropic optical feedback of single frequency intra-cavity He--Ne laser

This paper presents the anisotropic optical feedback of a single frequency intra-cavity He--Ne laser. A novel phenomenon was discovered that the laser output an elliptical polarized frequency instead of the initial linear polarized one. Two intensities with a phase difference were detected, both of which were modulated in the form of cosine wave and a fringe shift corresponds to a λ/2 movement of the feedback mirror. The phase difference can be continuously modulated by the wave plate in the external cavity. Frequency stabilization was used to stabilize the laser frequency so as to enlarge the measuring range and improve the measurement precision. This anisotropic optical feedback system offers a potential displacement measurement technology with the function of subdivision of λ/2 and in-time direction judgment. The three-mirror Fabry--Perot cavity model is used to present the experimental results. Given the lack of need of lasing adjustment, this full intra-cavity laser can significantly improve the simplicity and stability of the optical feedback system.     

Laser Intensity Variation in Amplitude and Phase Induced by Elliptically Polarized Feedback

The laser output characteristics under elliptically polarized optical feedback effect are studied. Elliptically polarized light is generated by wave plate placed in the feedback cavity. By analyzing the amplitude and phase of the laser output in the orthogonal direction, some new phenomena are firstly discovered and explained theoretically.Elliptically polarized feedback light is amplified in the gain medium in the resonator, and the direction perpendicular to the original polarization direction is easiest to oscillate. The laser intensity variation in amplitude and phase are related to the amplified mode and the anisotropy of external cavity. The theoretical analysis and experimental results agree well. Because the output characteristic of the laser has a relationship with the anisotropy of the external cavity, the phenomenon also provides a method for measuring birefringence.     

空间光混频器分光比调整与90°相位差补偿方法

对空间光混频器的90°相位差补偿的几种方法进行了比较分析,并在此基础之上提出了两种新方法.第一种方法采取旋转本振光支路的1/4波片来补偿相位差,旋转信号光支路的第一个1/2波片来调整I路与Q路分光比;第二种方法通过旋转本振光支路的1/2波片和1/4波片到计算出来的角度来实现预定的相位差和分光比.对两种方法进行仿真分析和系统实验.采用第一种方法时,1/4波片快轴与x轴的夹角在-10°~10°变化时,相位差补偿范围为-14°~29°,分光比在0.7~1.4范围内变化;当1/2波片的快轴与y轴的夹角在35°~55°变化时,分光比在0.47~2.1范围内变化.采用第二种方法求解出I/Q路相位差分别为80°、85°、90°、95°、100°,I/Q路分光比分别为0.5、0.75、1、1.5、2时,1/2波片的快轴和1/4波片的快轴的位置.采用这两种方法均可以简单而精确地实现设定的相位差和分光比,有利于光锁相环的相位锁定以及解调出的信号强度的提高.     

半外腔微片Nd∶YAG正交偏振激光器及其在精密测角中的应用

设计了一种半外腔微片Nd∶YAG正交偏振双频激光器。把2个1/4波片置于激光谐振腔内,一个静止,一个作360°旋转,旋转引起2个1/4波片快轴之间的角度变化被激光器转化成激光2个频率之差的变化,从而输出可调谐的双频激光。采用琼斯矩阵对光在腔内的本征模进行分析,给出了双频频差的理论解释。讨论了一种体积小、分辨率高和可整周测量的新型Nd∶YAG激光测角仪的潜在前景。     

激光器内腔频差对双折射外腔激光回馈系统输出影响的理论及实验研究

玻璃材料的内应力关系及所在系统的稳定性、安全性和可靠性,是精密加工领域的重要问题.基于双折射外腔激光回馈效应的应力测量技术以其先进新颖的测量原理受到普遍关注.传统理论普遍认为双折射回馈系统中激光器的输出相位仅由外腔相位延迟决定,而将测量误差归因于外腔镜的非线性运动.本文结合正交偏振激光原理和三镜腔等效模型,测量了激光器的内腔双折射引起的频差大小,进行了频率调谐回馈实验,并根据结论计算了内腔频差对外腔相位延迟测量结果的影响,发现激光器的输出相位由外腔相位延迟、内腔频差、外腔长度共同决定.本文总结了内腔和外腔各向异性共同作用下激光器正交偏振态的相位特性,补充了激光回馈的物理内容,对于应力-双折射、位移、距离等重要参量的精确测量,都具有重要指导意义.     

Zeeman双频激光器频率分裂与纵模间隔变动一致性分析

激光谐振腔内相位各向异性会引起频率分裂,两分裂模的频差大小由表现出的相位延迟所决定.对于腔内相位延迟较小的He-Ne激光器,两分裂模很接近,处于烧孔重叠区,存在模式竞争而不能同时振荡,形成隐频率分裂.同时,使得激光器两正交偏振方向上的相邻级纵模产生固定的变动量,其大小等于隐频率分裂量的2倍.如果沿激光偏振方向施加横向磁场,Ne原子谱线发生横向Zeeman分裂,增益原子分成两群,分别为平行于磁场和垂直于磁场方向偏振的光提供增益,大大减弱模竞争,使得激光器的两分裂模可同时振荡并测得频差.在谐振腔内放入倾斜的石英晶体片或半波片,由两种方法分别测量频率分裂量并进行比较.实验表明两种方法测量的结果均与理论计算相符,平均相对偏差不超过1%.据此可以准确得到Zeeman双频激光器的频差大小,并为半波片测量提供了新方法.     

Intensity modulation in single-mode microchip Nd：YAG lasers with asymmetric external cavity

Intensity modulation induced by the asymmetric external cavity in single-mode microchip Nd:YAG lasers is presented. Two kinds of experimental results are discussed based on multiple feedback effects. In one case, the intensity modulation curve is a normal sine wave, whose fringe frequency is four times higher than that of a conventional optical feedback system, caused by multiple feedback effects. In the other case, the intensity modulation curve is the overlapping of the above quadruple-frequency signal and conventional optical feedback signal, which is determined by the additional phase difference induced by the asymmetric external cavity. The theoretical analyses are in good agreement with the experimental results. The quadruple-frequency modulation of the laser output intensity can greatly increase the resolution of displacement measurement of an optical feedback system.     

各向异性外腔微片Nd:YAG激光器调频回馈研究

研究了在各向异性外腔下微片Nd:YAG激光器调频回馈特性.作为对比,首先给出了在各向同性外腔下调频回馈结果,激光器输出功率的半波条纹数正比于外、内腔长度之比.在回馈外腔中内置一个四分之一波片,激光偏振态发生规律性跳变,每个纵模带宽内的偏振跳变次数正比于外、内腔长之比,相同外腔长下,回馈条纹再次倍频.进行了基于法布里-珀罗腔等效模型的理论分析,结果和实验相符合.此现象在精密测量领域有潜在应用. 关键词： 光回馈 调频回馈 各向异性外腔 半波条纹数     

光学腔内两正交偏振模振幅和相位的补偿

本文开展了光学腔内两正交偏振模振幅和相位补偿的实验研究。通过采用特殊腔型和两个λ/2波片,补偿腔内反射镜对水平偏振模和垂直偏振模的反射率差异,使两个偏振模的输出振幅相等。利用一组λ/4-λ/2-λ/4波片补偿光学腔内水平偏振模和垂直偏振模的相位差,使两个模的输出重合。通过上述的振幅和相位补偿方法,可实现任意偏振光经过环形腔后偏振不变,为任意偏振比特在腔内冷原子系综中的高效率高保真度存储提供了实验基础。     

Spectroscopic measurements of the evanescent wave polarization state

We applied optogalvanic spectroscopy to observe Zeeman effect in the evanescent wave in Ar gas with the help of a single-mode diode laser. The use of an homogenous external magnetic field enabled us to observe different π and σ Zeeman split lines contribution. We studied two orthogonal directions of external magnetic field and two orthogonal polarizations of the incident wave with respect to the plane of incidence. The analysis of relative line strengths leads to the determination of the polarization state of the evanescent wave.     

A technique for frequency stabilization of an internal mirror He-Ne laser

A technique for frequency stabilization of an internal mirror He-Ne laser using phase sensitive detection without cavity length modulation is suggested. The orthogonally plane polarized modes are separated and then convered into two photoelectric signals using two photodetectors. The photoelectric signals are switched alternately so as to generate a square wave, whose amplitude is proportional to the intensity difference between the two orthogonal polarizations. A lock-in amplifier is used to detect this square wave, with the switching frequency as reference. The phase detected signal is used for thermal stabilization of the laser. The frequency stability of 5 × 10⁻⁹ was obtained with an integration time of 1 s.     

激光回馈引起的微片Nd:YAG激光器频差调制

微片激光器由于自身的内应力会输出频率分裂的正交偏振的两个模式.研究了回馈对微片激光器频差的影响.研究发现:在回馈的作用下微片激光器的频差大小呈现出以初始频差为中心的类正弦的频差调制,周期为λ/2;频差调制曲线的幅度与回馈水平成正比,但是当回馈水平过强时会出现偏振态跳变,从而使频差消失;在一定的回馈外腔范围内,频差调制曲线的幅度与初始频差亦成正比.并利用复合腔模型和激光器的自洽理论进行了理论分析和模拟,所得结果与实验结果相符.此调制现象在精密测量领域有潜在应用.     

Single high-order round-trip feedback effects in orthogonally polarized dual frequency laser

We present the effects of single high-order round-trip feedback in orthogonally polarized dual frequency laser. The high quality intensity fringes of two orthogonally polarized lights are obtained, which are cosine-like. The fringe frequency of a single high-order round-trip feedback is five times that of the conventional optical feedback. Even higher frequencies are possible with this setup. Particularly, there is a phase difference between two orthogonal polarized lights in single high-order round-trip feedback and the phase difference is determined by the feedback order, the length of the external cavity, and the frequency difference of the two orthogonal polarized lights. A theoretical analysis based on a compound cavity model of a dual frequency laser agrees well with the experimental results. These results provide a potential application in precision measurement with both directional discrimination and high optical resolution.     

Self-mixing interference effects in orthogonally polarized dual-frequency Nd:YAG lasers at different feedback levels

The self-mixing interference effects are investigated in birefringence dual-frequency Nd:YAG lasers at different optical feedback levels. For weak feedback level, both of the intensities of the two modes are sinusoidally modulated by external cavity length with a feedback period of half laser wavelength. While these two modes can only coexist in a part of feedback period at moderate feedback level, i.e., one mode reaches its maximum intensity, the other one extinguishes. At high feedback level, complete polarization switching (one mode oscillating, the other one extinguishing) between two polarized modes is observed, and every switching corresponds to quarter-wavelength variation of external cavity length. Furthermore, two feedback schemes, i.e., isotropic optical feedback (IOF) and polarized optical feedback (POF) are taken into account. The theoretical analysis based on a model of two-mode-coupled laser is presented, which is in good agreement with experimental results. Our results can advance the research of self-mixing interferometer of orthogonally polarized dual-frequency lasers.     

Orthogonally Linearly Polarized Dual Frequency Nd：YAG Lasers with Tunable Frequency Difference and Its Application in Precision Angle Measurement

The orthogonally linearly polarized dual frequency Nd： YA G lasers with two quarter wave plates in laser resonator are proposed. The intra-cavity variable birefringence, which is caused by relative rotation of these two wave plates in laser inner cavity, results in the frequency difference of the dual frequency laser also changeable. The theory model based on the Jones matrix is presented, as well as experimental results. The potential application of this phenomenon in precision roll-angle measurement is also discussed.     

Elimination of the photodetector dichroism effect on optical-measurement results

The method of elimination of the photodetector dichroism effect on the results of optical measurements is proposed. For this purpose, two polaroids are placed before the photodetector: the first, a compound one, consisting of two halves with mutually orthogonal filtering directions, and the second one, whose filtering direction is oriented at an angle of 45° to the filtering directions of both halves of the first polaroid. The interface of the compound parts of the first polaroid passes through the middle of the laser-beam cross section. Even if the light polarization is changed at the input of the polaroid system, the output polarization of light is retained, and so is the total intensity of the two halves of the laser beam. An experimental test of this method has been performed. Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 664–669, May, 1998.     

腔内倍频多纵模低噪声绿激光器

介绍了一种LD泵浦腔内倍频全固体Nd∶YVO4 KTP多纵模、低噪音、高功率稳定绿激光器在Nd∶YVO4 KTP绿激光器组成的谐振腔内放置厚度约相等的石英晶体λ2波片（HWP）和λ4波片(QWP)，使两波片快轴夹角互呈90°,HWP、QWP与KTP构成复合波片,其作用相当于QWP，此复合波法与各相异性Nd∶YVO4共同作用有效抑制了腔内偏振模耦合，获得多纵模低噪音绿光输出此复合波片相互作用由于抵消了石英晶体波片温度敏感引起的相位延迟量漂移， 所以此激光器在不同功率、不同工作温度下，均能稳定可靠地运转于低噪音状态实验结果为,绿光输出纵模数为3个，噪音小于0.5%（rms%），12 h功率稳定性优小于1%