Polarization switching in a quasi-isotropic microchip Nd:YAG laser induced by optical feedback

This paper demonstrates the influence of external optical feedback on the polarization state of longitudinal modes in quasi-isotropic microchip Nd:YAG lasers. Under optical feedback, the polarization state of longitudinal modes in quasi-isotropic lasers relies strongly on the intracavity anisotropy loss and mode competition. When the intracavity anisotropy loss is small, external optical feedback can cause polarization switching and strong mode competition between two orthogonal linearly polarized eigenstates of one laser longitudinal mode, which leads to the distortion of laser intensity modulation waveform. The polarization switching is independent of the initial external cavity length. By increasing the intracavity anisotropy loss, one polarization eigenstate can be suppressed and the laser works in single-polarization state. A theoretical analysis based on the compound cavity model is presented, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. The results offer guidance to the development of laser feedback interferometers.     

Internal stress measurement by laser feedback method

Internal stress in material detracts from its usefulness. In this Letter, a stress measurement instrument is reported. The instrument principle is based on a laser feedback effect where the polarization state of the laser with an anisotropic feedback cavity will flip between two orthogonal directions, while the feedback mirror is tuned by piezoelectric transducer sawtooth voltage. The position of polarization flipping in one period on curves reflects the birefringence or material internal stress of the feedback cavity. Hence, when a piece of internal stress material is placed in a feedback cavity, its internal stress can be measured by the polarization flipping position. The internal stress of the vacuum tube, Nd:YAG crystal, and GaN semiconductor are measured, which proved this instrument has very high precision.     

1550nm-VCSELs在偏振保持光反馈和正交光注入下的偏振转换特性

基于自旋反转模型,研究了1550 nm垂直腔面发射激光器(1550 nm-VCSELs)在偏振保持光反馈和正交光注入下的偏振转换特性.结果表明:正交光注入下的从激光器会随着注入强度的增加产生偏振转换.在归一化注入电流较小时,改变反馈强度,会使从激光器发生偏振转换的注入强度出现规律不同的变化;改变频率失谐,会使从激光器发生偏振转换的注入强度出现规律相同的变化.     

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     

Polarization locked vector solitons and axis instability in optical fiber

We experimentally observe polarization-locked vector solitons in optical fiber. Polarization locked-vector solitons use nonlinearity to preserve their polarization state despite the presence of birefringence. To achieve conditions where the delicate balance between nonlinearity and birefringence can survive, we studied the polarization evolution of the pulses circulating in a laser constructed entirely of optical fiber. We observe two distinct states with fixed polarization. This first state occurs for very small values birefringence and is elliptically polarized. We measure the relative phase between orthogonal components along the two principal axes to be +/-pi/2. The relative amplitude varies linearly with the magnitude of the birefringence. This state is a polarization locked vector soliton. The second, linearly polarized, state occurs for larger values of birefringence. The second state is due to the fast axis instability. We provide complete characterization of these states, and present a physical explanation of both of these states and the stability of the polarization locked vector solitons. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.     

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.     

基于双光反馈垂直腔面发射激光器的双信道混沌同步通信

利用双光反馈垂直腔面发射半导体激光器(VCSELs) 两个正交偏振模式输出的两个混沌信号作为混沌载波, 构建了一个双信道的混沌保密通信系统, 并对该系统的通信性能进行了数值仿真研究.研究结果表明: 通过合理的选取反馈参量, 双光反馈VCSELs两个偏振模式输出的混沌信号能很好地隐藏外腔反馈延时特性; 双光反馈VCSEL两个偏振模式输出的混沌信号通过偏振保持注入到接收VCSEL中, 在强注入锁定条件下可以实现很好的混沌同步, 同步性能对频率失谐的容忍性随着注入强度的增加而加强; 在附加混沌调制加密方式下, 500 Mbit/s的信号在传输过程中能够得到很好的隐藏, 同时在接收端可以成功解调; 随着通信速率的增加, Q因子呈现下降的趋势, 但对于 6 Gbit/s的信息, Q因子仍大于6. 关键词： 垂直腔面发射激光器 双光反馈 双信道 混沌通信     

Square-wave self-modulation in diode lasers with polarization-rotated optical feedback

The square-wave response of edge-emitting diode lasers subject to a delayed polarization-rotated optical feedback is studied in detail. Specifically, the polarization state of the feedback is rotated such that the natural laser mode is coupled into the orthogonal, unsupported mode. Square-wave self-modulated polarization intensities oscillating in antiphase are observed experimentally. We find numerically that these oscillations naturally appear for a broad range of values of parameters, provided that the feedback is sufficiently strong and the differential losses in the normally unsupported polarization mode are small. We then investigate the laser equations analytically and find that the square-wave oscillations are the result of a bifurcation phenomenon.     

各向异性光反馈注入的垂直表面发射激光器的矢量偏振模转换机理

数值研究了各向异性光反馈注入的垂直表面发射激光器(VCSEL)的矢量偏振模转换机理,研究结果表明,首先,当注入电流接近阈值电流时,由VCSEL的外部参数和偏振器控制的光反馈注入量中各偏振模的能量决定VCSEL 输出的偏振态.其次,由偏振器控制的各向异性光反馈注入引起的VCSEL输出偏振态呈周期性变化.另外,当由偏振器控制的反馈注入量中的x^偏振和y^偏振模能量相当时, x^偏振模和y^偏振模之间竞争激烈,而激光器外部微小的扰动都会打破这两种偏振模竞争 关键词： 各向异性光反馈 垂直表面发射激光器 矢量偏振模     

A tunable nonlinear optical loop mirror with feedback using linear highly birefringent fiber in the loop

The dynamics of a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) with feedback using a high birefringence fiber in the loop are investigated. The effect of rotating input polarization angle on the output power and polarization angle is numerically examined, illustrating the sensitivity of the NOLM with feedback to the input’s polarization state, as well as the polarization chaos present with sufficient input powers. The inclusion of a polarization-dependant loss in one or both arms of the coupler is also shown to change the output dynamical behaviour of the system.     

Tunable and broadband microwave frequency combs based on a semiconductor laser with incoherent optical feedback

Based on a semiconductor laser(SL) with incoherent optical feedback, a novel all-optical scheme for generating tunable and broadband microwave frequency combs(MFCs) is proposed and investigated numerically. The results show that, under suitable operation parameters, the SL with incoherent optical feedback can be driven to operate at a regular pulsing state, and the generated MFCs have bandwidths broader than 40 GHz within a 10 d B amplitude variation. For a fixed bias current, the line spacing(or repetition frequency) of the MFCs can be easily tuned by varying the feedback delay time and the feedback strength, and the tuning range of the line spacing increases with the increase in the bias current. The linewidth of the MFCs is sensitive to the variation of the feedback delay time and the feedback strength, and a linewidth of tens of KHz can be achieved through finely adjusting the feedback delay time and the feedback strength. In addition,mappings of amplitude variation, repetition frequency, and linewidth of MFCs in the parameter space of the feedback delay time and the feedback strength are presented.     

基于双光注入锁定1550 nm垂直腔表面发射半导体激光器产生可调谐毫米波

基于自旋反转模型, 对双光注入下1550 nm 垂直腔表面发射半导体激光器(1550 nm-VCSEL)的非线性动力学行为进行了理论分析和数值仿真研究. 结果表明: 当一个中心波长位于1550 nm 的副VCSEL(S-VCSEL)同时受到来自两个主VCSELs (M-VCSELs)的光注入时, 在适当的注入条件下, S-VCSEL可处于双光注入锁定态. 此时, S-VCSEL中的两偏振模式均呈现频率为两注入光频率之差的周期性振荡, 输出的光谱仅包含两个主频率部分, 即光谱具有单边带特征. 因此, 基于双光注入下S-VCSEL的周期性振荡可以获得两个相互正交的光毫米波. 通过调节两个M-VCSELs之间的频率差异可使毫米波频率在较大范围内连续可调, 通过调节系统参量可以控制毫米波功率以及调制深度. 关键词： 垂直腔表面发射激光器 双光注入 毫米波 调制深度     

多功能太赫兹超表面偏振控制器

本文提出了一种“金属栅-开口环/硅环-金属栅”结构的透射式超表面偏振控制器, 研究了入射角度和抽运光对该器件传输及偏振态控制性能的影响. 研究结果表明, 当线偏振太赫兹波垂直入射时, 可对0.39-1.11 THz频段的太赫兹波实现偏振方向90°旋转, 偏振旋转效率为99%, 损耗为1 dB. 对于斜入射的情况, 偏振转换性能在0-60°范围内基本保持不变, 且透过率达到90%以上. 同时, 通过调控抽运光强度的方式, 该器件能够实现对透射与反射太赫兹光束的强度调制, 调制深度均达到90%, 且可以实现太赫兹波偏振分束功能. 该器件可以作为未来太赫兹空间光通信和信息处理的宽带、角度不敏感、可调谐的偏振转换器和分束器.     

光脉冲注入下VCSEL的偏振开关特性

基于描述主、副垂直腔表面发射激光器（M-VCSEL,S-VCSEL）动态特性的速率方程,研究了M-VCSEL在脉冲电流调制下,输出光脉冲的偏振特性,以及S-VCSEL在M-VCSEL输出光脉冲的注入下,其偏振开关特性.研究结果表明：M-VCSEL在周期性脉冲电流的作用下,将产生周期性光脉冲输出;S-VCSEL在该光脉冲的注入下,输出光将在两个互相垂直的方向之间发生周期性转化,且变化周期与M-VCSEL所受到的调制脉冲电流周期相同;通过改变M-VCSEL驱动脉冲电流的调制幅度,可控制S-VCSEL输出的垂直偏振抑制比. 关键词： 垂直腔表面发射激光器（VCSEL） 光脉冲 偏振开关     

电光调制对外部光反馈垂直腔表面发射激光器输出矢量混沌偏振的操控

基于周期性极化铌酸锂晶体的线性电光效应耦合波理论,数值研究了电光调制对外部光反馈垂直腔表面发射激光器(VCSEL)输出矢量混沌偏振模的操控.研究结果表明,VCSEL输出的偏振度随着电光晶体的长度或施加于电光晶体的外电场强度成周期性转换,控制一定的施加外电场强度和晶体的长度,激光器的不同参数下引起初始混沌偏振态都可以转换为其他任意混沌偏振态.特别是合理选择一定的施加外电场强度或晶体长度,VCSEL输出的任意混沌偏振模可以转换为完全一致的两线性混沌偏振模(x和ŷ偏振),即两线性混沌偏振模的能量能够达到稳定和完全均衡.     

光注入和光电反馈联合作用下垂直腔表面 发射激光器的动力学特性研究

基于自旋反转模型, 研究了垂直腔表面发射激光器(VCSEL) 在光注入和光电反馈共同作用下的动力学特性. 研究结果表明: 一个受到主VCSEL光注入的副VCSEL, 在同时存在光电正反馈时, 其输出的两个线偏振模式(X和Y偏振模) 可呈现周期、 倍周期、 多周期、 混沌等丰富的动力学状态, 且两偏振模动力学态的演化路径存在差异. 各动力学状态在由反馈强度f与注入强度η 所构成的参数空间的分布区域随着主、 副VCSEL 的频率失谐Δν(Δν=ν_m-ν_s, ν_m, ν_s 分别为主、 副VCSEL自由运行时的振荡频率) 的变化而发生改变. 当Δν为正失谐时, 呈现混沌的区域相比零失谐和负失谐时有明显的扩展, 即副VCSEL能在更大的参数范围内实现混沌输出. 对于特定的频率失谐, 分析了光电正反馈强度f和光注入强度η对混沌输出带宽的影响. 通过合理选择反馈强度以及注入强度, 可使副VCSEL混沌输出带宽显著增加.     

Distributed feedback laser action by polarization modulation

Laser action was generated in dye-doped sol–gel glass waveguides and in liquid solutions by crossing two beams from a frequency-doubled neodymium:YAG laser. The angle between the polarization directions of the two beams was varied continuously from 90. The case of 0° corresponded to pure intensity modulation. As the angle increased, the degree of intensity modulation decreased, resulting in the decline and finally the demise of the laser output. At 90°, corresponding to pure polarization modulation, distributed feedback laser action with narrow line-width output was again observed when the pump energy was increased three-fold. The laser output also showed different polarization characteristics when the feedback mechanism was changed from intensity modulation to polarization modulation. Received: 13 February 2003 / Revised version: 3 April 2003 / Published online: 22 May 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: 852/2603-5204, E-mail: dlo@sun1.phy.cuhk.edu.hk     

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.     

基于数字全息及复用技术的全场偏振态测试方法

提出了一种在数字全息记录系统中利用偏振和角分复用技术对光场进行偏振态检测的方法. 将全息系统中的一束参考光分为偏振方向相互正交、初相位相同的两束光, 并分别与物光相同偏振方向的两个分量干涉, 形成两幅子全息图, 同时记录在一帧画面中. 为了分开记录到的物光两个分量, 系统中利用了角分复用技术, 即在两束参考光中引入不同载频, 使物光两分量的频谱位于全息图频谱面的不同区域. 通过滤波、逆傅里叶变换和衍射计算, 获取距离全息图不同位置处物光两正交分量复振幅信息. 利用复振幅信息, 可以构建被测物光的斯托克斯参量和琼斯矢量, 从而表征物光的偏振态. 实验中, 通过对一束椭圆偏振光进行偏振态测量以及对该光束在不同空间位置处的偏振态进行表征, 表明该方法可以实现光束偏振态全场测试, 并且具有较高的可靠性. 关键词： 数字全息 偏振态 琼斯矢量 斯托克斯参量     

Optical feedback induces polarization mode hopping in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers subjected to weak polarization-insensitive optical feedback are studied experimentally and theoretically. We find that the feedback induces random anticorrelated hopping between the two orthogonal linearly polarized modes. This polarization mode hopping is accompanied by rapid anticorrelated oscillations in the linearly polarized intensities at the external-cavity frequency. The study of a simple stochastic delay differential equation suggests that these oscillations generated by the delay are typical of any hopping phenomenon between states.