Simulation of backward light waves generated in isotropic optical waveguides

The existing coherent light sources are nonuniformly distributed by frequency in the optical range. Thus, work toward the development of tunable lasers operating in the middle IR range has long been underway. Nevertheless, the region 4–8 μm has been poorly mastered, and more longwave lasers have too narrow frequency tuning ranges. One way of solving these problems is to harness the effect of parametric light generation whose special case is parametric generation of backward light waves in nonlinear optical media, which is the subject of the present work. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 59–62, May, 2007.     

Self-focusing effects in a nematic liquid crystal at 10.6 $\mathsf{\mu}$m

E7 is a room temperature nematic liquid crystal that presents both a high temperature nematic-to-isotropic transition and a high positive dielectric anisotropy. The optical characteristics of this liquid crystal have been widely investigated in the visible region of the spectrum, while less experiments have been performed in the middle infrared spectral region, where, nevertheless, potential applications are important. We investigate the self-focusing of a middle infrared laser beam when it passes through a film of E7. We also take into account the heating of the liquid crystal film caused by the partial absorption of the laser light by means of a thermographic technique. A theoretical interpretation of the self-focusing phenomenon is given in terms of the reorientation of the molecules with respect to their unperturbed direction and an estimation of the average value of the elastic constants of the liquid crystal is given by fitting the experimental data with the theoretical model.Received: 16 April 2003PACS: 42.70.Df Liquid crystals - 42.65.-k Nonlinear optics - 42.55.Lt Gas lasers including excimer and metal-vapor lasers     

掺杂晶体Cd_(0.35)Hg_(0.65)Ga_2S_4的光学特性

研究了掺杂非线性晶体Cd0 35Hg0 6 5Ga2 S4 的线性和非线性光学特性以及相位匹配 .在相同的实验条件下 ,与已知的中红外晶体相比较 ,测定了该晶体的损伤阈值 .实现了CO2 激光二次谐波产生实验 ,与理论预测相一致     

掺杂晶体Cd0.35Hg0.65Ga2S4的光学特性

研究了掺杂非线性晶体Cd0.35Hg0.65Ga2S4的线性和非线性光学特性以及相位匹配.在相同的实验条件下，与已知的中红外晶体相比较，测定了该晶体的损伤阈值.实现了CO2激光二次谐波产生实验，与理论预测相一致. 关键词： 掺杂非线性晶体 Cd0.35Hg0.65Ga2S4 二次谐波产生 CO2激光     

近中红外与1.06μm和1.54μm激光兼容隐身光子晶体研究

为实现飞行器高温部分的红外与激光兼容伪装,设计了一种基于一维光子晶体的近中红外与1.06μm和1.54μm激光兼容隐身材料。基于薄膜的传输矩阵法和异质结构理论,拓展了光子晶体的禁带宽度,使之覆盖近中红外波段;随后,利用掺杂原理,在光子晶体周期结构中引入了两种缺陷。结果显示,在1~5μm的带隙中出现了波长分别为1.06μm和1.54μm的缺陷模,反射率分别为1.21%和1.79%,这种具有"光谱挖空"特性的光子晶体可以实现近中红外与1.06μm和1.54μm激光兼容隐身。     

Determination of the Subpicosecond Laser Pulse Chirp in the Middle IR Range Based on the Fourth Harmonic Noncollinear Generation

A new method is proposed to determine the subpicosecond laser pulse chirp in the middle IR range at the central wavelength of 10 μm, based on the generation of the second-harmonic pulses both by the bandwidth-limited and frequency-modulated subpicosecond pulses and the subsequent noncollinear generation of the fourth-harmonic radiation by the corresponding second-harmonic pulses. The time dependences are given of the instantaneous frequency of the frequency-modulated second-harmonic pulse at the central wavelength of 5 μm, generated in the field of the frequency-modulated subpicosecond IR pulse, propagating in the negative uniaxial AgGaS₂ crystal along the direction of 61°36′ relative to the optical axis. These results can be used in designing a nonlinear optical phase correlator to determine the phase and time profile of the subpicosecond laser pulse in the middle IR range.     

Microcavity‐Stabilized Quantum Cascade Laser

Narrow‐linewidth lasers are key elements in optical metrology and spectroscopy. Spectral purity of these lasers determines accuracy of the measurements and quality of collected data. Solid state and fiber lasers are stabilized to relatively large and complex external optical cavities or narrow atomic and molecular transitions to improve their spectral purity. While this stabilization technique is rather generic, its complexity increases tremendously moving to longer wavelenghts, to the infrared (IR) range. Inherent increase of losses of optical materials at longer wavelengths hinders realization of compact, room temperature, high finesse IR cavities suitable for laser stabilization. In this paper, we report on demonstration of quantum cascade lasers stabilized to high‐Q crystalline mid‐IR microcavities. The lasers operating at room temperature in the 4.3‐4.6 μm region have a linewidth approaching 10 kHz and are promising for on‐chip mid‐IR and IR spectrometers.

     

High quality factors and room-temperature lasing in a modified single-defect photonic crystal cavity

We propose and analyze a new photonic crystal cavity design that supports a dipole mode with a quality factor greater than 20,000. Such a high quality factor is obtained by precise tuning of the cavity length with minimal disruption of the surrounding photonic crystal. A fabrication procedure based on dry etching of InGaAsP material in HI/H2/Ar is used to demonstrate photonic crystal lasers with smooth and straight sidewalls. These room-temperature lasers concentrate optical energy in air and are suitable for use as tunable lasers and chemical sensors.     

Optical properties of one-dimensional photonic crystals obtained by micromatchining silicon (a review)

The theoretical and experimental investigations of photonic band gaps in one-dimensional photonic crystals created by micromatchining silicon, which have been performed by the author as part of his doctoral dissertation, are presented. The most important result of the work is the development of a method of modeling photonic crystals based on photonic band gap maps plotted in structure–property coordinates, which can be used with any optical materials and in any region of electromagnetic radiation, and also for nonperiodic structures. This method made it possible to realize the targeted control of the optical contrast of photonic crystals and to predict the optical properties of optical heterostructures and three-component and composite photonic crystals. The theoretical findings were experimentally implemented using methods of micromatchining silicon, which can be incorporated into modern technological lines for the production of microchips. In the IR spectra of a designed and a fabricated optical heterostructure (a composite photonic crystal), extended bands with high reflectivities were obtained. In a Si-based three-component photonic crystal, broad transmission bands and photonic band gaps in the middle IR region have been predicted and experimentally demonstrated for the first time. Si–liquid crystal periodic structures with electric-field tunable photonic band-gap edges have been investigated. The one-dimensional photonic crystals developed based on micromatchining silicon can serve as a basis for creating components of optical processors, as well as highly sensitive chemical and biological sensors in a wide region of the IR spectrum (from 1 to 20 μm) for lab-on-a-chip applications.     

Broadband Hybridly Polarized Vector Vortex Raman Microchip Laser

Hybridly polarized (HP) vector vortex Raman lasers dramatically extend their applications on optical microscopy, optical communication, and quantum information. Spatial light modulators and waveplates are widely used for generating HP vector vortex lasers, however, the performance and beam quality of HP vector vortex lasers are restricted by diffraction loss and low damage threshold of these optical elements. Here, HP vector vortex Raman microchip lasers constructed with Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (Yb:YAG) and vanadate (YVO₄) crystals is demonstrated. The states of polarization (SoP) of HP vector vortex lasers are combination of radial and anti-radial polarizations (RP-ARP), azimuthal and anti-azimuthal polarizations (AP-AAP). The SoP of HP vector vortex lasers can be controlled by adjusting the length of YVO₄ crystal and applying pump power. Maximum output powers are 456 and 586 mW with optical efficiency of 7.1% and 9.2% for HP vector vortex lasers with SoP of RP-ARP and AP-AAP. The HP vector vortex Raman lasers with SoP of RP-ARP and AP-AAP oscillate ≈1076 nm with bandwidths of 11.4 and 10.8 nm. High beam quality is achieved for HP vector vortex lasers with measured M² nearly equal to theoretical value. The broadband HP vector vortex Raman lasers with high beam quality extend applications on optical trapping, and quantum information processing.     

Development of Transmission Optics for High-Power TEA CO2 Lasers and Methods of Increasing Laser-Radiation Resistance of Materials for High-Power IR Optics

The results of analytical and experimental investigations aimed at increasing laser-radiation resistance of materials for IR optics and developing high-power optics for microsecond TEA CO₂ lasers with energy per pulse up to 12–25 kJ and gas-dynamic CO₂ lasers with energy per pulse up to 130 kJ are presented. It is demonstrated that the integrated approach that combines the improvement of already existing technological methods and the development of novel technological methods for refining the parameters of materials for transmission IR optics (including techniques of growth of single crystals, strain hardening, and laser, ionic, and chemical treatment), the design and optimization of optical units (including the development of segmented transmission optics, the improvement of optical schemes for spatial formation of laser beams, the use of fast-response physical effects to screen optical elements from high-power fluxes of laser radiation) is necessary to solve this problem.     

Raman‐induced impulsive Stokes lasing in novel SRS‐active monoclinic m‐LaVO4 crystal

Monoclinic m‐LaVO₄ vanadate with the monazite‐type structure was found to be a new favorable SRS‐active crystal. Its two‐phonon impulsive Stokes lasing has been recorded under near‐IR femtosecond pumping. Knowledge acquired about the behavior of impulsive stimulated Raman scattering in the studied crystals may be useful for the physics of coherent optical phonons and for engineering of femtosecond lasers. The fundamental results obtained here will also motivate the search for crystals able to generate multiphonon impulsive SRS. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Functional organic single crystals for solid‐state laser applications

Because of long‐range order and high chemical purity, organic crystals have exhibit unique properties and attracted a lot of interest for application in solid‐state lasers. As optical gain materials, they exhibit high stimulated emission cross section and broad tunable wavelength emission as similar to their amorphous counterpart; moreover, high purity and high order give them superior properties such as low scattering trap densities, high thermal stability, as well as highly polarized emission. As electronic materials, they are potentially able to support high current densities, thus making it possible to realize current driven lasers. This paper mainly describes recent research progress in organic semiconductor laser crystals. The building molecules, crystal growth methods, as well as their stimulated emission characteristics related with crystal structures are introduced; in addition, the current state‐of‐the‐art in the field of crystal laser devices is reviewed. Furthermore, recent advances of crystal lasers at the nanoscale and single crystal light‐emitting transistors (LETs) are presented. Finally, an outlook and personal view is provided on the further developments of laser crystals and their applications.     

Laser nanosources based on planar photonic crystals as new platforms for nanophotonic devices

Two-dimensional photonic crystal lasers have been fabricated on III–V semiconductor slabs. Tuning of the spontaneous emission in micro and nanocavities has been achieved by accurate control of the slab thickness. Different structures, some of them of new application to photonic crystal lasers, have been fabricated like the Suzuki-phase or the coupled-cavity ring-like resonators. Laser emission has been obtained by pulsed optical pumping. Optical characterization of the lasing modes have been performed showing one or more laser peaks centred around 1.55 μm. Far field characterization of the emission pattern has been realized showing different patterns depending on the geometrical shape of the structures. These kinds of devices may be used as efficient nanolaser sources for optical communications or optical sensors.     

二极管泵浦准三能级板条固体激光器的优化设计

基于最大激光增益条件，分析和优化了二极管泵浦准三能级Yb∶YAG固体板条激光器的激光增益、板条的最佳光学长度和最佳宽度参数。结果表明：在低功率侧面泵浦条件下，板条增益介质的掺杂浓度和板条宽度满足一定的关系，这为研究该类激光器提供了一条有效途径，其结果可应用于其他准三能级固体激光器设计。     

Compact Raman CH3F, NH3 optically pumped FIR laser

Conclusion The compact superradiant FIR laser is developed using Herriott cell with long optical path as a FIR cell. The employment of the multipass cell gave an opportunity to increase the IR to FIR conversion efficiency in comparison with traditionally constructed FIR lasers and to observe many intensive FIR lines. The given of multipass cell can be useful for employment in continuously tunable FIR lasers.     

Frequency-comb-referenced mid-IR sources for next-generation environmental sensors

We report on recent development of IR spectrometers based on non-linear optical generation and quantum-cascade lasers. Frequency stabilization and referencing to optical frequency-comb synthesizers is described. Their characteristics for spectroscopic as well as metrological applications are pointed out. The potential of the combination of mid-IR sources with enhancement cavities for high-resolution and sensitive measurements of gas spectra is illustrated. Finally, we describe wave-front engineering of long wavelength beams for spatial control and imaging applications.     

Growth and spectral-luminescent study of SrMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals doped with Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions

SrMoO₄ crystals doped with Tm³⁺ ions have been produced from a melt using the Czochralski method; their spectral-luminescent characteristics have been studied, and laser radiation has been generated at the wavelength of 1.94 μm using laser-diode excitation. The high absorption section at the wavelength of 795 nm, the fairly high luminescence section, the long lifetime at the upper laser level ³F4 of 1.5 ms, and a wide luminescence band allow one to hope for developing efficient tunable Tm³⁺: SrMoO₄ crystal lasers with diode pumping in the range of 1.7–2.0 μm, which are capable of implementing SRS self-transformation of radiation into the middle IR band.     

Compact interrogator for fiber optic Bragg sensors based on an acousto-optic filter formed by photonic crystal rows of air holes

Fiber optic sensors are typically used with expensive tunable lasers or optical spectrum analyzers for wavelength interrogation. We propose to replace the tunable laser by a broadband optical source incorporated with a novel thin linewidth acousto-optic tunable filter. It utilizes optical beam expanders constituted by photonic crystal rows of air holes in LiNbO(3) waveguide. A new design is numerically studied for a short structure (with 32 photonic crystal rows) by a two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method. Extrapolation of these results to larger structure sizes (about 1 cm) demonstrates the possibility to develop compact interrogators with 0.4 pm wavelength resolution and 40 nm tunable range around 1550 nm.