Non-contact angle measurement based on parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometry

We present a novel precise angle measurement scheme based on parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometry （PLFI）, which outputs two parallel laser beams and thus their displacement difference reflects the angle variation of the target. Due to its ultrahigh sensitivity to the feedback light, PLFI realizes the direct non-contact measurement of non- cooperative targets. Experimental results show that PLFI has an accuracy of 8＂ within a range of 1400＂. The yaw of a guide is also measured and the experimental results agree with those of the dual-frequency laser interferometer Agilent 5529A.     

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.     

A sensitive method of determining optic axis azimuth based on laser feedback

A sensitive method to determine the optic axis azimuth of the birefringence element is presented, which is based on laser feedback. The phase difference between the two intensities in birefringence feedback changes with the angle between the optic axis of the birefringence element and laser original polarization. The phase difference is highly sensitive to the relative position of the optic axis and the laser original polarization. This method is used to highly precisely determine the optic axis azimuth, and is able to distinguish between the fast axis and the slow axis of the birefringence element. Theoretical analysis and experimental results are both demonstrated.     

Generation and Modulation of Phase Difference of Output Intensities in a Feedback Nd:YAG Laser with an Extracavity Waveplate Rotated

External anisotropic feedback effects on the phase difference behaviour of output intensities in a microchip Nd：YAG laser are presented. By rotating a quarter wave plate placed in the external cavity, the angle between laser initial polarization direction and o-axis of the wave plate is tuned from -45°to 45°, which results in variable extra-cavity birefringence along two orthogonal detection directions. With only one optical path and one wave plate, laser intensities of the two orthogonal directions, both modulated by the external cavity length, are output with a tunable phase difference, which can be continuously changed from zero to twice as large as that of the waveplate. Experimental results as well as a theoretical analysis based on Fabry-Perot cavity equivalent model and the refractive index ellipsoid, are presented. The potential applications of this phenomenon are also discussed.     

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.     

Distortion of optical feedback signals in microchip Nd:YAG lasers subjected to external multi-beam interference feedback

This paper proposes a theoretical analysis for the characteristics of an external cavity Nd:YAG laser with feedback of multiple-beam interference,which is induced by the multi-reentrance of the light from the external Fabry-Perot cavity.The theoretical model considers the multiple beam interference of the external Fabry-Perot cavity.It is found that the optical feedback signals are distorted to pulse waveforms instead of the sinusoidal ones in conventional feedback.The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis.The obtained theoretical and experimental results can advance the development of a laser feedback interferometer.     

基于扭转模腔的全固态单纵模拉曼黄光激光器设计

输出波长在560~590nm的全固态拉曼黄光激光器是近几年兴起的激光器之一。目前,此类激光器内部多模振荡引起的黄光输出谱线单色性较差的问题还没有得到解决。针对这一情况,提出将扭转模腔与拉曼复合腔相结合的新型解决方案,从根本上消除增益介质中空间烧孔效应引起的基频光多模振荡,实现单纵模黄光输出。拉曼复合腔由L型基频光谐振腔与直线型拉曼谐振腔耦合而成,既保证各个非线性变换过程可充分利用腔内的高功率密度,又可相对独立地对不同波长的光路进行优化调节,从而使整个系统实现最佳输出。该设计有助于在全固态拉曼激光器中实现毫瓦量级的单纵模黄光输出,为基于黄激光的生物医疗、钠导星、空间目标识别等系统提供理想的固体黄光光源。     

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。     

Mode hopping in single-mode microchip Nd：YAG lasers induced by optical feedback

The mode hopping phenomenon induced by optical feedback in single-mode microchip Nd：YAG lasers is presented. With optical feedback, mode hopping strongly depends on two factors： the ratio of external cavity length to intra-cavity length, and initial gains of the two hopping modes, When external cavity length equals an integral multiple of intracavity length, there is almost no mode hopping. However, if the external cavity length does not equal an integral multiple of intra-cavity length, mode hopping occurs. The ratio of external cavity length to intra-cavity length determines the position of two-mode hopping, The initial gains of the two hopping modes determine the corresponding peak values and oscillating periods of them in the intensity modulation curves.     

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 prosented. 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.