Pulse stretching of Q-switched lasers

Pulse stretching of a passively Q-switched ruby laser is accomplished by the introduction of a non-linear absorber into the laser cavity. Single pulses of length 150 to 400 nsec are observed. The non-linear absorption is obtained by using a Rayleigh-wing scatterer as the solvent for a bleachable dye. This approach is unique in that stretched Q-switched pulses may be obtained by the introduction of a single liquid into the laser resonator with no electronics necessary. Since the Rayleigh Frequency is within the gain lineshape of the active medium, threshold for the stimulated Rayleigh scattering is exceeded at relatively low power densities.     

Laser intracavity absorption spectroscopy

Emission spectra of multimode lasers are very sensitive to spectrally selective extinction in their cavity. This phenomenon allows the quantitative measurement of absorption. The sensitivity of measurements of intracavity absorption grows with the laser pulse duration. The ultimate sensitivity obtained with a cw laser is set by various perturbations of the light coherence, such as quantum noise, Rayleigh scattering, four-wave mixing by population pulsations, and stimulated Brillouin scattering. It depends on the particular laser type used, and on its operative parameters, for example pump power, cavity loss, cavity length, and length of the gain medium. Nonlinear mode-coupling dominates the dynamics of lasers that feature a thin gain medium, such as dye lasers, whereas Rayleigh scattering is more important in lasers with a long gain medium, such as doped fibre lasers, or the Ti:sapphire laser. The highest sensitivity so far has been obtained with a cw dye laser. It corresponds to 70000 km effective length of the absorption path. The ultimate spectral resolution is determined by the spectral width of mode emission, which is 0.7 Hz in this dye laser. High sensitivity and high temporal and spectral resolution allow various practical applications of laser intracavity spectroscopy, such as measurements and simulations of atmospheric absorption, molecular and atomic spectroscopy, process control, isotope separation, study of free radicals and chemical reactions, combustion diagnostics, spectroscopy of excited states and nonlinear processes, measurements of gain and of spectrally narrow light emission. Intracavity absorption in single-mode lasers shows enhanced sensitivity as well, although not as high as in multimode lasers. Received: 10 May 1999 / Published online: 29 July 1999     

A self-gain random distributed feedback fiber laser based on stimulated Rayleigh scattering

We reported a narrow linewidth (~ 4 kHz) fiber laser with a mirror-less open cavity based on stimulated Rayleigh scattering (STRS) in a non-uniform fiber. Because of its variable core size and dispersion along the fiber, the threshold of the stimulated Brillouin scattering was increased by ~ 7 dB compared with that of conventional single mode fiber, which allows higher order Rayleigh scattering. The self-gain is initiated by the spontaneous Rayleigh scattering and amplified via STRS, and the distributed feedback mechanism is formed by different orders of Rayleigh scattering counter-propagating as the “random mirror reflection” in the non-uniform fiber.     

Ultraviolet filtered Rayleigh scattering temperature measurements with a mercury filter

We report the development of ultraviolet filtered Rayleigh scattering as a diagnostic tool for measurements of gas properties. A frequency-tripled narrow-linewidth Ti:sapphire laser illuminates a sample, and Rayleigh scattered light is imaged through a mercury-vapor absorption filter. Working in the ultraviolet improves the signal-to-noise ratio compared with that previously obtained in the visible as the result of an enhanced scattering cross section as well as the nearly ideal properties of the mercury filter. Tuning the laser through the absorption notch of the filter is a means of probing the scattering line shape, which contains temperature information. Temperature measurements of air are shown to have uncertainties of less than 3%.     

Flow measurements based on Rayleigh scattering and Fabry-Perot interferometer

Flow diagnostics based on molecular Rayleigh scattering are discussed along with the results of a feasibility study to non-intrusively measure flow properties in a small supersonic wind tunnel. The technique uses an injection seeded, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser tuned to an absorption band of iodine. The molecular Rayleigh scattered light is filtered with an iodine cell to block light at the laser frequency. The Doppler-shifted Rayleigh scattered light that passes through the iodine cell is analyzed with a planar mirror Fabry-Perot interferometer used in a static imaging mode. An intensified CCD camera is used to record the images. The images are analyzed at several subregions, where the flow properties are determined. Each image is obtained with a single laser pulse, giving instantaneous measurements.     

Random distributed feedback Raman fiber laser operating in a 1.2 μm wavelength range

The random distributed feedback fiber laser operating via the stimulated Raman scattering and random distributed feedback based on the Rayleigh scattering is demonstrated in the 1.2 μm frequency band. The RDFB fiber laser generates at 1174 nm up to 2.4 W of output power with corresponding slope efficiency more than 30%. The output radiation has the spectral shape similar to the conventional Raman fiber lasers and spectral width less than 1.7 nm.     

脉冲泵浦掺镱双包层光纤激光器的动力学研究

对脉冲泵浦的掺镱双包层光纤激光器进行了实验研究.采用重复频率1-10 kHz、脉宽100 μs的976 nmLDs泵浦,实现了脉宽小于10 ns的稳定激光脉冲输出.并对该激光器的动力学过程进行了分析,首次提出了在脉冲泵浦光纤激光器中产生ns脉冲是瑞利散射和受激布里渊散射共同作用的结果.     

Narrow-linewidth passband filter for ultraviolet rotational Raman imaging

We present a narrow-passband spectral filter capable of frequency-resolved imaging of rotational Raman light scattering with strong spectral rejection of out-of-band Raman, Rayleigh, and Mie scattering. The filter is based on mercury-vapor absorption, and subsequent resonant fluorescence and has a passband of less than 1 cm(-1). It is paired with an injection-seeded, cavity-locked, frequency-tripled Ti:sapphire laser that produces >30 mJ/pulse of single-mode, tunable light in the vicinity of 253.7 nm. The laser and filter are combined to spectrally resolve scattering from individual rotational Raman lines of nitrogen and oxygen.     

Amplification effect on SBS and Rayleigh scattering in the backward pumped distributed fiber Raman amplifier

The amplification effect on stimulated Brillouin scattering （SBS） and Rayleigh scattering in the backward pumped G652 fiber Raman amplifier （FRA） is studied. The pump source is a 1427.2-nm fiber Raman laser whose power is tunable between 0 - 1200 mW, and the signal source is a tunable narrow spectral bandwidth （〈 10 MHz） external cavity laser （ECL）. The Rayleigh scattering lines are amplified by the FRA and Stokes SBS lines are amplified by the FRA and the fiber Brillouin amplifier. The total gain of SBS lines is the production of the gain of Raman amplifier and that of Brillouin amplifier. In experiment, the SBS gain is about 42 dB and the saturation gain of 25-km G652 backward FRA is about 25 dB, so the gain of fiber Brillouin amplifier is about 17 dB.     

Self-Q-switching Nd: YAG laser operation using stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering

We have developed a self-Q-switching phase-conjugated laser resonator in which a medium cell containing a strongly absorbing liquid is used to replace a cavity mirror and a Q-switch. A stable laser output is obtained with a single pulse and single frequency. Unlike previously published papers, a conventional starter cavity is not needed in our experiment. The mechanism of the laser operation is interpreted by stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering.     

高光谱分辨率激光雷达鉴频器的设计与分析

提出了利用Fabry-Perot干涉仪的反射场实现高光谱分辨率激光雷达精细探测大气光学参量的新方法和思路.设计了高光谱分辨率的分光系统,并分析了干涉仪反射场的光谱透过特征曲线.结合高光谱激光雷达探测信号特征,讨论分析了谱分离比和瑞利信号透过率随反射率和腔长的变化曲线,同时结合误差传递公式,建立了仿真分析模型,讨论了回波光束发散角和入射角变化对激光雷达探测结果的影响.结果表明,所提出的Fabry-Perot干涉仪反射场可以实现高光谱分辨率激光雷达探测系统的精细分光,同时探测结果误差随回波光束发散角变化不敏感,控制发散角在10 mrad以内,入射角在1.5 mrad以内时,可以实现气溶胶光学参数廓线的高精度探测.     

分子过滤瑞利散射技术测量火焰温度和密度

 为了解决瑞利散射光易受米散射和背景杂散光干扰的问题,发展了结合窄线宽激光器、分子过滤器以及像增强器等技术的分子过滤瑞利散射技术。在图像诊断的基础上,依据测量的碘蒸气吸收光谱曲线,对CH₄/air预混火焰进行了诊断,获得了密度场和温度场分布。距炉面15 mm火焰中心区域处,分子过滤瑞利散射(FRS)技术测量的温度为1 827 K±84 K,密度为0.19 kg/m³,其测温结果与CARS法的测温结果基本吻合。最后分析了FRS技术测温不确定度。实验表明FRS技术具有较高的信噪比,可以定量测量温度和密度信息,有望应用于超音速燃烧流场、紊流场等复杂流场的诊断。     

Spectroscopic characterization of semiconductor doped colour filter glasses

Fresh and photodarkened Schott RG645 and RG665 colour filter glasses are investigated in detail by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The CdS_xSe_1-x volume fraction is deduced from absorption measurements applying Maxwell Garnett theory. The cluster size is determined by Rayleigh scattering measurements. Groundstate and excited-state absorption cross-sections as well as the number density of interacting states are determined from nonlinear transmission measurements using a femtosecond dye laser. The temporal absorption recovery is studied. The fluorescence quantum distributions, quantum yields, and degrees of polarization are determined. A relaxation scheme in an energy band diagram is presented and dynamic parameters are deduced.     

The propagation dynamics of ultraviolet light filament with Rayleigh scattering in air

In this paper we present for the first time the effects of Rayleigh scattering on the long distance propagation of ultraviolet （UV） light filament in air based on the stationary analysis. The simulation results show that the effects of Rayleigh scattering on the propagation of UV laser filaments may not be ignored. These influences are slightly dependent on the laser wavelength. We also compare the UV filament propagations at different input powers in the presence and the absence of the Rayleigh scattering and discuss the mechanisms of power loss and beam defocusing. In the absence of Rayleigh scattering, the filament propagation is determined by the oscillating behaviour of the beam size. In the presence of the scattering, the propagation lengths of filament are close to each other at different initial powers and determined by the Rayleigh scattering.     

S波段光纤拉曼放大器中级联受激布里渊散射串扰的实验研究

研究了光纤激光器前向抽运的S波段分布式光纤拉曼放大器中级联的受激布里渊散射(SBS)串扰现象。用窄光谱带宽(<100MHz)的可调谐激光二极管作为信号源,通过S波段分布式光纤拉曼放大器,当被放大的信号功率超过单模光纤受激布里渊散射的阈值时,出现了前向受激布里渊散射,这是传导声波布里渊散射在光纤放大器中放大的现象。随着拉曼放大器抽运功率的提高,在斯托克斯区,出现了两阶受激布里渊散射线,在实验中观测到偶数阶的受激布里渊散射谱线功率大于奇数阶的布里渊一瑞利散射线。当进一步增加拉曼放大器的抽运功率,出现了前向级联的多阶受激布里渊散射现象,拉曼放大器的增益下降,被放大的信号功率转换为受激布里渊散射,噪声变大。受激布里渊散射的串扰破坏了拉曼放大器的特性,使拉曼放大器无法在密集波分复用光纤传输系统中使用,因此需要严格地控制入纤的信号功率和放大器的抽运功率。在实验中还观测到在光纤拉曼放大器中被放大的信号光和受激布里渊散射线两侧的伴线。     

基于增强瑞利反馈的单模窄线宽随机激光器

仿真说明了单模光纤(SMF)中瑞利散射(RS)的机理, 指出纤芯掺杂的不均匀性以及拉丝过程引起的光纤几何尺寸的随机变化是光纤中RS产生的主要原因, 并以此为基础制作了损耗为0.54 dB/km的散射光纤. 在通信波段, 5 km该散射光纤的瑞利背向散射(RBS)强度高于相同长度的SMF-28近5 dB. 在基于RBS单模随机激光器的数值模拟中, 大量的具有随机幅度和相位的纵模在经历不平坦增益的多次放大之后, 只有在增益最大点附近的模式能够克服损耗成为输出模式. 实验中以掺铒光纤作为增益介质, 500 m散射光纤提供随机反馈, 窄带布拉格光纤光栅(FBG)作为波长选择器件, 得到线宽约3.5 kHz、对比度近50 dB的单模激光输出. 与采用相同长度SMF-28的随机激光器相比, 其阈值电流降低了80 mA, 相同抽运条件下的最大输出功率提高了3 dBm. 该单模窄线宽随机激光器的输出波长的调谐特性仅由FBG的中心波长决定.     

A Raman laser intensity sensor induced by the cooperative Rayleigh scattering in a ring configuration

In this work, a laser sensor is described that uses the multipath interference produced inside a ring cavity to measure the power loss induced by a moving taper intensity sensor. The laser is created due to the virtual distributed mirror formed by the Rayleigh scattering produced in a dispersion compensating fiber when pumped by a Raman laser. Two laser peaks were formed, one of them is obtained by the Raman gain (1555 nm) inside the ring and the second is created by the combination of the Raman gain and the Rayleigh scattering (1565 nm). A taper sensor is used as displacement sensor and when the losses is applied in the taper the second laser peak is reduced and the first peak is maintained constant and can be used as reference level.     

Absorption and scattering properties of arbitrarily shaped particles in the Rayleigh domain: A rapid computational method and a theoretical foundation for the statistical approach

We provide a theoretical foundation for the statistical approach for computing the absorption properties of particles in the Rayleigh domain. We present a general method based on the discrete dipole approximation to compute the absorption and scattering properties of particles in the Rayleigh domain. The method allows to separate the geometrical aspects of a particle from its material properties. Doing the computation of the optical properties of a particle once, provides them for any set of refractive indices, wavelengths and orientations. This allows for fast computations of e.g. absorption spectra of arbitrarily shaped particles. Other practical applications of the method are in the interpretation of atmospheric and radar measurements as well as computations of the scattering matrix of small particles as a function of the scattering angle. In the statistical approach, the optical properties of irregularly shaped particles are represented by the average properties of an ensemble of particles with simple shapes. We show that the absorption cross section of an ensemble of arbitrarily shaped particles with arbitrary orientations can always be uniquely represented by the average absorption cross section of an ensemble of spheroidal particles with the same composition and fixed orientation. This proves for the first time that the statistical approach is generally viable in the Rayleigh domain.     

相干瑞利散射海水水下温度测量技术的理论研究

海水水下温度的快速大范围测量是海洋监测的重要内容,在民用和军事领域都有着至关重要的意义,本文提出了采用相干瑞利散射方法测量海水水下温度的新方法:用宽带高速光电探测器接收本振激光和海水后向瑞利散射光相干产生的差频信号,进行傅里叶变换分析获取海水瑞利散射展宽谱,从而反演海水温度,首先从海水的热力学特性出发,对利用瑞利散射谱测量海水水下温度的基本原理进行了理论研究和软件模拟;然后对采用相干探测测量海水瑞利散射谱的测量方法进行了理论分析和软件模拟;在此基础上对瑞利散射海水水下温度测量精度进行了分析,得出当水体瑞利散射频谱半宽度测量精度为1 MHz时,测温精度约为0.35 K。