猫眼腔激光器的横模变换与频率分裂

为了产生多种激光横模,以前的系统相对比较复杂,而且一般只能产生基横模和低阶横模,很难产生高阶横模,同时也很难观察到模竞争中一个频率抑制另一个频率的变化过程。基于猫眼谐振腔激光器和频率分裂技术,提出了一种新型的激光原理综合实验系统。该系统利用猫眼逆向器作为He-Ne激光器的一个腔镜,通过调节猫眼逆向器中两镜片间距可输出包括基横模、低阶横模、高阶横模在内的十余种典型横模,并可完成纵模、偏振、出光带宽等多种激光基本特性的实验。同时在基横模状态下,利用谐振腔内加入的石英晶体片可实现激光频率分裂及其频差调节。在此基础上又可实现完整的模竞争过程的观察。     

Single mode operation of a narrow bandwidth dye laser using a single prism, grazing incidence grating long cavity

The single mode pulsed dye laser is an attractive tool for many spectroscopic applications. Long cavity tunable dye lasers generally operate in multi-longitudinal modes within the bandwidth of gain profile. Single longitudinal mode oscillation can be obtained by either making the cavity short enough or introducing an additional loss mechanism, in which all modes but one have a gain less than their loss. A new technique to achieve single mode operation in a long cavity dye laser, based on Rhodamine 6G dye in ethanol and ethylene glycol solution, pumped by a high repetition rate copper vapor laser, is reported. This laser, which operates in three modes in grazing incidence grating configuration (cavity length of 16 cm), has been made to lase in single mode by increasing the loss in the resonator through beam walk-off.     

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.     

Optical feedback in a Zeeman-birefringence HeNe laser and its application in ranging

The optical feedback characteristics in a Zeeman-birefringence HeNe laser have been studied systematically when the external cavity varies in a large range. The intensity variations of the two orthogonally polarized lights are observed during the laser cavity tuning in the dual frequency laser. When the external cavity length is an integral multiple of the laser cavity length, either polarized light's intensity modulation depth varies not obviously when the laser works in dual modes conditions or single mode condition. But when the external cavity length is far away from an integral multiple of the laser cavity length and the laser works in different dual modes conditions, polarized light's intensity modulation depth varies obviously. This characteristic can guide us to tune the laser to work in single mode condition to improve the sensitivity of the optical system when the system is used for a large displacement measurement. It can also be used for measuring the position of the target mirror. The theoretical analysis is in good agreement with experimental results.     

Coherence and polarization properties of electromagnetic laser modes

A recently formulated mode representation of stochastic electromagnetic fields, based on a unified theory of coherence and polarization is applied to determine the transverse laser resonator modes in any rotationally symmetric cavity. It is found that the electromagnetic modes can be expressed in a simple way in terms of the classic Fox-Li modes of the monochromatic scalar theory; and that, if there is no degeneracy, each mode is completely spatially coherent and its degree of polarization is the same at each point of the cavity mirror.     

腔内波片产生的Nd∶YAG激光纵模分裂规律研究

简要介绍了激光纵模分裂的基本原理，研究了腔内含有1个和2个1/4波片时产生Nd∶YAG激光纵模分裂的规律。实验结果表明：在1064nm Nd∶YAG激光的腔内放置一个1/4波片时，每一激光纵模分裂为2个正交的线偏振模，在波片表面垂直于激光光线的条件下，纵模分裂量（即频率差或波长差）恰好等于激光纵模间隔的一半；当在Nd∶YAG激光腔内沿垂直光线方向平行放置2个1/4波片时，也能产生纵模分裂现象，其纵模分裂量取决于2波片快（慢）轴之间的夹角。在0°～ 90°范围内调节角度，可使纵模分裂量在一个激光纵模间隔内线性调谐。实验结果与理论分析相吻合。     

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.     

准分子激光等离子体开关控制脉宽研究

利用准分子激光等离子体技术,在紫外预电离XeCl准分子激光器上获得了最短1.58 ns的短脉冲激光输出。实验中分析了聚焦到薄膜表面的光束能量密度对所产生的等离子体密度的影响,并对不同等离子体密度及维持时间情况下脉冲压缩效果进行了讨论,给出了激光器谐振腔在稳定腔及非稳腔两种工作方式下的实验结果。激光器在稳定腔工作时,脉宽可压缩至2.87 ns;采用非稳腔结构时,在脉冲能量不变情况下减小聚焦光斑面积,提高入射到薄膜表面的能量密度,得到了最短1.58 ns的短脉冲激光输出。该技术适用于任何其它准分子器件。     

External optical feedback effects in a frequency locking dual frequency laser

We present a systematic study of external optical feedback effects on the output characteristics of the two orthogonally polarized modes in a frequency locking dual frequency laser. Accompanied by the change of the external cavity length, the length of the resonance cavity is changed very slowly to set the oscillating modes sweeping across the laser gain curve. Comprehensive results are obtained and a strong mode competition is observed. Particularly, when the laser runs in the middle region of the gain curve, which mode can oscillate is determined by the movement direction of the external feedback mirror. Based on the phenomenon, a displacement sensor with directional discrimination is proposed and its capability is also discussed.     

准分子激光等离子体开关控制脉宽研究

 利用准分子激光等离子体技术,在紫外预电离XeCl准分子激光器上获得了最短1.58 ns的短脉冲激光输出。实验中分析了聚焦到薄膜表面的光束能量密度对所产生的等离子体密度的影响,并对不同等离子体密度及维持时间情况下脉冲压缩效果进行了讨论,给出了激光器谐振腔在稳定腔及非稳腔两种工作方式下的实验结果。激光器在稳定腔工作时,脉宽可压缩至2.87 ns;采用非稳腔结构时,在脉冲能量不变情况下减小聚焦光斑面积,提高入射到薄膜表面的能量密度,得到了最短1.58 ns的短脉冲激光输出。该技术适用于任何其它准分子器件。     

Manipulating atomic coherence and interference in a coupled atom-cavity system

Collective coupling of multiple atoms with a cavity mode produces two normal modes that are separated in energy by Vacuum Rabi splitting. We show that quantum coherence and interference can be produced by a control laser that couples the atoms confined in the cavity mode from free space, which leads to suppression of the normal mode excitation, or polariton excitation of the cavity-atom system. The control laser splits the normal mode of the cavity-atoms system and opens two excitation channels. The destructive quantum interference between the two channels renders the cavity-atoms system opaque to the light coupled into the cavity mode. We demonstrate suppression of the normal mode (polariton) excitation by the destructive quantum interference in an experiment with cold Rb atoms confined in an optical cavity.     

Strong optical feedback in birefringent dual frequency laser

Strong optical feedback in a birefringent dual frequency He--Ne laser with a high reflectivity feedback mirror has been investigated for the first time. The output characteristics of two orthogonally polarized modes are demonstrated in two different optical feedback cases: one is for both modes being fed back and the other is for only one of the modes being fed back. Strong mode competition can be observed between the two modes with strong optical feedback. And when one mode's intensity is near its maximum, the other mode is nearly extinguished. When both modes are fed back into the laser cavity, the mode competition is stronger than when only one mode is fed back. The difference in initial intensity between the two orthogonally polarized modes plays an important role in the mode competition, which has been experimentally and theoretically demonstrated.     

Controlling mode locking in optical ring cavities

Imperfections in the surface of intracavity elements of an optical ring resonator can scatter light from one mode into the counterpropagating mode. The phase-locking of the cavity modes induced by this backscattering is a well-known example that notoriously afflicts laser gyroscopes and similar active systems. We experimentally show how backscattering can be circumvented in a unidirectionally operated ring cavity either by an appropriate choice of the resonant cavity mode or by active feedback control. PACS 42.60.Da; 45.40.Cc; 42.79.Bh; 42.55.-f     

半外腔Nd:YAG和Nd:YVO4微片固体激光器的腔调谐特性研究

微片固体激光器具有体积小、寿命长等优点,是精密测量仪器的重要光源。构建了平-平、半外腔的Nd:YAG和Nd:YVO₄微片激光器,通过控制压电陶瓷伸缩改变激光器的谐振腔长,同时使用F-P扫描干涉仪和波长计观察纵模和波长。研究了这2种微片固体激光器的腔调谐特性,包括腔长与光功率的关系,激光纵模扫过出光带宽过程的光功率和单、双纵模变化的规律。实验结果表明：腔调谐过程中单、双纵模交替出现,腔长和泵浦电流共同影响激光器的输出模式和光功率。     

激光二极管自混合干涉的计算分析和实验观察

实验上观察到自混合干涉信号的幅度仅仅为静态光强的百分之几.反馈光会引起激光二极管阈值电流减小,静态输出光强变化几倍,使激光二极管工作在实际的阈值电流之上.按三镜法布里-珀罗腔结构模型计算激光二极管的出射光强,由干涉函数主极大条件得出光频与反馈光的关系.计算出的自混合干涉信号的波形,以及自混合干涉信号的幅度与静态光强的比值均同实验测量结果一致.在τrC/τ1=22.8的情况下,复合谐振腔可同时有15个谐振模式,这些模随外腔长度的变化小于2.6×10-2cm-1,远小于法布里-珀罗谐振腔谐振模的线宽3.1cm-1,光频在内腔谐振模的线宽以内变化.     

Theoretical analysis of widely tunable external cavity semiconductor laser with sampled fiber grating

Combination of equivalent reflection cavity model and transmission line theory is applied in theoretical analysis of external cavity semiconductor lasers with sampled fiber Bragg grating. The effects of device parameters on the resonant cavity mode and the side mode suppression ratio have been discussed. For a perfect anti-coated facet and the high coupling efficiency, it is found that the Vernier effect between combed reflectivity peaks and F-P cavity modes can be destroyed and the laser will work on multi-wavelength. The high coupling efficiency plays the same role as the lower anti-reflection coating reflectivity in the side mode suppression ratio and the mode resonance. Finally, the side mode suppression ratio is investigated in detail depending on the anti-coating reflectivity, the coupling efficiency and the high-reflection coating reflectivity.     

A microring multimode laser using hollow polymer optical fibre

We report the observation of multimode laser operation at wavelengths corresponding to whispering-gallery modes from a freestanding microring cavity based on rhodamine B dye-doped PMMA hollow optical fibre. Cylindrical microcavities with diameters 155, 340 and 615 μm were fabricated from a dye-doped hollow polymer optical fibre preform. An average mode spacing of 0.17 nm was observed for the 340 μm cavity. This shows that the laser mode intensity distribution is concentrated on the outer edge of the cavity.     

LOPUT Laser: A novel concept to realize single longitudinal mode laser

We propose a novel type of cavity design to generate single longitudinal mode laser known as LOPUT cavity. LOPUT cavity stands for linear orthogonally polarized modes resulting in unidirectional travelling wave cavity. The technique can be applied to both isotropic as well as anisotropic gain mediums. In the present paper, we applied the technique to anisotropic gain medium such as a-cut Nd:YVO₄. Using the LOPUT cavity, we demonstrated nearly 2 W of single longitudinal mode laser with nearly diffraction-limited spatial profile. Linewidth measurement using a custom-made Fabry Perot interferometer revealed instrument-limited linewidth of ～5 MHz at 1064 nm.     

Spectrum of three-dimensional photonic quantum-ring microdisk cavities: comparison between theory and experiment

The spectrum of a three-dimensional Rayleigh-Fabry-Perot microdisk cavity of a photonic quantum-ring laser is analyzed for angle-dependent emission modes. It is shown that joint consideration of the Fabry-Perot resonance condition and the whispering-gallery mode boundary condition explains the emitting angles and spectral distribution of the cavity modes well.     

Fast, low-noise, mode-by-mode, cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy by diode-laser self-locking

A new technique of cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy is described. Molecular absorption spectra are obtained by recording the transmission maxima of the successive TEM_oo resonances of a high-finesse optical cavity when a Distributed Feedback Diode Laser is tuned across them. A noisy cavity output is usually observed in such a measurement since the resonances are spectrally narrower than the laser. We show that a folded (V-shaped) cavity can be used to obtain selective optical feedback from the intracavity field which builds up at resonance. This induces laser linewidth reduction and frequency locking. The linewidth narrowing eliminates the noisy cavity output, and allows measuring the maximum mode transmissions accurately. The frequency locking permits the laser to scan stepwise through the successive cavity modes. Frequency tuning is thus tightly optimized for cavity mode injection. Our setup for this technique of Optical-Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) includes a 50 cm folded cavity with finesse ∼20 000 (ringdown time ∼20 μs) and allows recording spectra of up to 200 cavity modes (2 cm⁻¹) using 100 ms laser scans. We obtain a noise equivalent absorption coefficient of ∼5×10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹ for 1 s averaging over scans, with a dynamic range of four orders of magnitude.