Saturable absorption and absorption recovery of indocyanine green J-aggregates in water

Received: 12 May 1997/Revised version: 22 October 1997     

Saturable absorption dynamics of mode-locking dye DODCI

0 –S₁–S_m–S_n multilevel system. An S_m→S₁ absorption recovery time of τ^S1 _A=(600±100) fs is determined. The picosecond and femtosecond pulse excitation leads to S₀→S₁ ground-state absorption bleaching and S₁→S_m first excited-state absorption bleaching. The excited-state absorption cross-sections σ^S1 _ex(S₁→S_m) and σ^Sm _ex(S_m→S_n) are determined. Received: 3 June 1996     

Environmentally stable ytterbium figure-of-eight fiber laser producing 177-fs pulses

Pulses of 177 fs and 1035 nm, with average power of 1.2 mW, have been generated directly from a passively mode-locked Yb-doped figure-of-eight fiber laser, with a nonlinear optical loop mirror for mode-locking and pairs of diffraction gratings for intracavity dispersion compensation. To our knowledge, these are the shortest pulses ever to come from a passively mode-locked Yb-doped figure-of-eight fiber laser. This represents a 5-fold reduction in pulse duration compared with that of previously reported passively mode-locked Yb-doped figure-of-eight fiber lasers. Stable pulse trains are produced at the fundamental repetition rate of the resonator, 24.0 MHz.     

Synchronous pulsed infrared detection in AgGaSe2 crystal using 1.318 μm pump

2 laser by nonlinear upconversion, is reported for the first time in AgGaSe₂ crystal under near noncritical phase-matching, pumped by an electro-optically Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operated at 1.318 μm. The capability for low-level infrared signal detection at room temperature with a fast response was also studied. Received: 15 December 1996/Revised version: 20 February 1997     

Theoretical and experimental analysis of intensity noise in a codoped erbium–ytterbium glass laser

Received: 6 January 1997/Revised version: 10 April 1997     

Cross sections of excited-state absorption at 800 nm in erbium-doped ZBLAN fiber

4 I_13/2 and ⁴I_11/2 of erbium is measured in a fluorozirconate fiber in the wavelength range 780–840 nm. Using a pump- and probe-beam technique and choosing the pump wavelength such that the perturbation by pump ESA is minimized in the measurement, it is possible to determine the effective ESA cross sections, despite the fact that the excitation is distributed among two metastable levels. The derived ESA cross sections at 793 nm of 1.4×10^-21 cm² from the ⁴I_13/2 level and less than 0.1×10^-21 cm² from the ⁴I_11/2 level are in reasonable agreement with former results obtained from a rate-equation simulation of the erbium 3-μm laser. The corresponding ESA spectrum under 3-μm lasing conditions is derived. At the strongest ground-state absorption around 799 nm, decreasing ESA from the ⁴I_13/2 level is compensated by increasing ESA from the ⁴I_11/2 level, i.e., ESA losses cannot be avoided when pumping around 800 nm. This result is of relevance for possible high-power diode pumping of an erbium 3-μm double-clad fiber laser. Received: 20 January 1998     

Ferroelectric domain inversion in near-stoichiometric lithium niobate for high efficiency blue light generation

LiNbO₃ single crystals with a composition close to stoichiometry ([Li]/[Li+Nb]=0.496), 16 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length were grown by the Czochralski method using K₂O flux. The domain reversal characteristics of near-stoichiometric LiNbO₃ single crystals were investigated. The switching field required for 180° ferroelectric domain reversal in the near-stoichiometric crystal at room temperature was 7.5 KV/mm. This is about one third of the switching field required for conventional LiNbO₃ crystals. Domain reversal (180°) in near-stoichiometric LiNbO₃ samples of 1.0 mm thickness has been achieved. Samples have been evaluated by second harmonic generation and conversion efficiencies of up to 32% have been obtained. Received: 8 November 2000 / Accepted: 29 January 2001 / Published online: 20 June 2001     

Saturable absorption dynamics of DODCI

The saturable absorption dynamics of DODCI in a femtosecond dye laser is studied theoretically. The N-isomer and P-isomer photoisomerization dynamics is included. The wavelength region between 570 nm and 650 nm is considered where the N-isomer and P-isomer absorption dynamics changes from short-wavelength to long-wavelength s₀-s₁ excitation. The slow saturable absorber DODCI shortens a circulating pulse in a laser oscillator down to femtosecond duration if the gain medium compensates the absorber losses. Fast local relaxation in the S₁ -state in the case of short-wavelength excitation and fast level refilling in the S₀ -state in the case of long-wavelength excitation facilitate the pulse shortening and the background signal suppression.     

Picosecond optical Kerr ellipsometry determination of S1→Sn absorption spectra of xanthene dyes

1 →S_n transitions are evaluated with linear absorption and stimulated emission taken into account. A bi-exciton state is revealed within the stimulated emission band. Its binding energy (40 to 110 meV) and oscillator strength (0.3 to 0.6) are determined. Possible laser, optical modulation and optical limiting applications of xanthene dyes are discussed. Received: 28 April 1997/Revised version: 28 July 1997     

Tunable ultraviolet optical parametric oscillator for differential absorption lidar measurements of tropospheric ozone

A pulsed optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with intracavity sum frequency mixing was developed generating energies of up to 16 mJ in the 281–293 nm wavelength range. Both OPO process and sum frequency mixing are pumped by the harmonics of a single, medium-sized Nd:YAG laser. The system is characterized by a high overall efficiency (∼4% conversion from 1064 nm to the UV), a very compact set-up and stable and reliable operation. This system was successfully employed to measure tropospheric ozone using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique and shows much promise as a lidar transmitter in airborne case studies as well as in unattended lidar systems for long-term monitoring. An unattended ozone profiling system could already be successfully realized. Received: 1 April 2002 / Revised version: 30 May 2002 / Published online: 2 September 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +49-8153/28-1271, E-mail: Andreas.Fix@dlr.de     

Structure of single-wall carbon nanotubes purified and cut using polymer

Following on from our previous report that a monochlorobenzene solution of polymethylmethacrylate is useful for purifying and cutting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and thinning SWNT bundles, we show in this report that polymer and residual amorphous carbon can be removed by burning in oxygen gas. The SWNTs thus obtained had many holes (giving them a worm-eaten look) and were thermally unstable. Such severe damage caused by oxidation is unusual for SWNTs; we think that they were chemically damaged during ultrasonication in the monochlorobenzene solution of polymethylmethacrylate. Received: 28 March 2001 / Accepted: 2 August 2001 / Published online: 17 October 2001     

Optical fiber transmission of multipleQ-switch Nd: YAG laser pulses with microsecond interpulse separations

Up to sixQ-switch pulses with interpulse separations of between 2 and 100 s are extracted during single flashlamp pulses of a Nd:YAG laser (1.06 m) by opening the Pockels cell in up to six stages. The interpulse separations and output energies are adjustable for the individual pulses of the 10 Hz repetitive laser bursts. Measurements of maximum fiber transmission and stimulated backscattering are reported for 1 mm diam fused-silica step-index fibers.     

Structure, refractive-index dispersion and the optical absorption edge of chemically deposited ZnxCd(1-x)S thin films

Zinc cadmium sulfide, Zn_xCd_(1-x)S, thin films have been deposited by a simple and inexpensive chemical bath deposition method from an aqueous medium using thiourea as a sulfide-ion source. The structure of the deposited films has been characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was observed from X-ray diffraction that the as-deposited films were amorphous in nature. However Zn_xCd_(1-x)S films annealed at 423 K for 1.5 h show a crystalline structure with a small scattering volume. The obtained results were confirmed throughout the transmission electron microscopy and the corresponding electron-diffraction patterns. The optical constants of Zn_xCd_(1-x)S films annealed at 423 K for 1.5 h in the compositional range 0≤x≤1 were estimated using transmission and reflection spectra in the wavelength range 300–2500 nm. The band gap varies non-linearly with the value of x. The dependence of the refractive index on the wavelength obeys the single-oscillation model, from which the dispersion parameters and the high-frequency dielectric constant were determined. A graphical representation of the surface and volume energy-loss functions was also given. Received: 23 February 2001 / Accepted: 26 February 2001 / Published online: 27 June 2001     

Determination of molecular orientation in ultrathin liquid crystal. films on solid substrates using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

42 H₆₀O₆, HBT) deposited on a (111)-oriented Au single crystal and a polycrystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate has been carried out using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Films of thicknesses between 2 nm and 15 nm were prepared in UHV by evaporation of HBT [which exhibits a discotic liquid crystalline (LC) bulk phase] from a Knudsen cell. Thickness and composition of the HBT films were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For the thinnest films with thicknesses in the monolayer regime, the orientational analysis reveals a pronounced orientation of the disc-shaped HBT molecules parallel to the Au surface. For thicker films, a significantly reduced anisotropy is observed with the molecular plane oriented more normal to the Au surface. In the case of the ITO-substrates, no significant differences were observed between different thickn esses and the average orientation of the molecular planes was predominantly normal to the surfaces, as for the thicker films on the Au substrate. Received: 1 March 1997/Accepted: 24 April 1997     

Growth and absorption properties of Dy-doped and undoped p-type TlGaSe2

2 and Dy-doped p-TlGaSe₂ (p-TlGaSe₂:Dy)single crystals were grown by the Bridgman–Stockbarger method. Absorption spectra were measured on freshly cleaved (001) surfaces. The freshly cleaved crystals had a mirror-like surface and there was no need for mechanical treatment. The absorption measurements were carried out in p-TlGaSe₂ and p-TlGaSe₂:Dy samples in the temperature range 10–320 K with a step of 10 K. The phonon energies calculated in p-TlGaSe₂ and p-TlGaSe₂:Dy are 23.0 meV and 21.0 meV, respectively. The direct band gaps of p-TlGaSe₂ and p-TlGaSe₂:Dy are 2.279 eV and 2.294 eV at 10 K, respectively. There is an abrupt change for the energy peak for p-TlGaSe₂ in the temperature ranges 105–120 K, 240–250 K, and for p-TlGaSe₂:Dy in the temperature ranges 100–110 K, 240–260 K. Received: 3 December 1997 / Accepted: 5 October 1998     

Optical transient bleaching/absorption of surface-oxidized CuInS2 nanocrystals

2 nanocrystals in a polymer film have been studied with the picosecond pump-probe technique. The oxidized CuInS₂ nanocrystals have an additional absorption band with a peak at 1.03 eV, which is bleached under picosecond excitation. Rapid (∼50 ps) trapping into midgap surface states results in long-lived (≫300 ps) bleaching and induced absorption features. A schematical energy-level diagram for oxidized CuInS₂ nanocrystals is given based on the experimental results. Received: 7 January 1997/Revised version: 16 April 1997     

Fabrication and observation of nanowire-assemblages of Si-Ge

A few of the interesting structures made by the assemblage of Si-Ge nanowires fabricated by the floating-zone melting-vapor method have been observed. They reveal shapes that are similar to coral, jellyfish and sea anemones. The pre-sintered substrate bar has some large crystalline particles (1–15 μm), which produce sites that are energetically predisposed to nucleation. The peculiar structures created by the assemblage of Si-Ge nanowires form on favored nucleation sites that consist of numerous bundles of nanowires with diameters of 20–50 nm. The periodic variation in the diameter of the bundles of nanowires is a common feature of these structures. In addition, a growth mechanism assisted by the coexistence of Ge and Si-Ge oxides is suggested. The growth process of these assemblages opens up new possibilities for the study of the growth mechanism of Si-Ge nanowires. Received: 25 July 2002 / Accepted: 9 September 2002 / Published online: 17 December 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: 81-298/59-2736, E-mail: HU.Quanli@nims.go.jp     

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     

Dependence of harmonic signals on sample-gas parameters in wavelength-modulation spectroscopy for precise absorption measurements

4 and N₂O, are given. Received: 4 March 1998/Revised version: 27 July 1998     

Detection of argon and krypton traces in noble gases by diode laser absorption spectrometry

Wavelength modulation, diode laser atomic absorption spectrometry is applied to measure traces of argon and krypton in other noble gases. Strong transitions from long-lived metastable levels highly populated in a low-pressure dc discharge are induced with a standard diode laser in the spectral range around 811 nm. The detection limits achieved are in the lower ppbv range, and the residual concentrations of Kr and Ar traces in the utilized high-purity noble gases are measured. Received: 2 October 2000 / Final version: 3 May 2001 / Published online: 7 June 2001