非线性克尔效应对飞秒激光偏振的超快调制

研究了近红外飞秒激光的偏振在太赫兹频率的超快调制.利用抽运-探测光谱技术,通过改变两个脉冲之间的延迟时间可以控制光脉冲的旋转角.在Li：NaTb（WO₄）₂磁光晶体中观察到探测光的偏振随延迟时间变化的高速振荡,振荡信号的中心频率为0.19 THz.这种超快偏振调制现象可以解释为,抽运-探测实验构置中,前向传播的抽运光诱导的光学克尔非线性引起被晶体远端表面所反射的背向传播的探测光脉冲偏振面的额外旋转.通过改变抽运光的圆偏振旋性可以控制探测光调制信号的相位和振幅.实验结果表明,非线性光学克尔效应可以作为一种全新的手段,在磁光晶体中实现近红外飞秒激光以太赫兹频率的超快偏振调控.这将在超快磁光调制器等全光器件中得以应用.实验结果将有助于偏振依赖的超快动力学过程的研究.     

超短脉冲光纤激光器新进展及其应用

超短脉冲光纤激光器是目前激光技术研究领域中最具有活力的研究课题．有着巨大的应用前景。本文介绍超短脉冲光纤激光器的发展概况及最新进展，论述掺稀土超短脉冲光纤激光器原理，对其关键技术及多种新型技术方案做了介绍和比较，分析超短脉冲激光器的应用前景及发展趋势。     

Ultrafast plasmon dynamics in asymmetric gold nanodimers

We theoretically investigate the effect of symmetry breaking on the ultrafast plasmon responses of Au nanodisk (ND) dimers by varying the diameter of one of the constituent nanodisks. In the case of a single ultrafast laser pulse, we demonstrate that the ultrafast responses of Au ND homodimer can be significantly modified due to the effect of symmetry breaking. The symmetric dimer shows a single broad spectral peak, whereas the size-asymmetric dimer shows three spectral peaks. The first system displays at most one temporal maximum and no beats in ultrafast temporal, whereas the second system may have three temporal maxima and two beats due to a combination of broken symmetry and the coherent superposition between various plasmon modes induced by the ultra-short laser pulse. Moreover, the shape of temporal dynamics of the size-asymmetric dimer is significantly deformed due to the excitation of local plasmon modes with different wavelength components. Furthermore, the decay time of the amplitude of the local field is longer and oscillates with a high frequency due to the narrower linewidth and red-shifted spectral peaks. We show that the ultrafast plasmon responses of both dimers can be controlled by varying the relative phase and time delays between a pair of two pulses. Our results will open new paths to understanding ultrafast plasmon responses in asymmetric heterodimers with suitable properties for different applications.     

Ultrafast photonic crystal lasers

We describe recent progress in photonic crystal nanocavity lasers with an emphasis on our recent results on ultrafast pulse generation. These lasers produce pulses on the picosecond scale, corresponding to only hundreds of optical cycles. We describe laser dynamics in optically pumped single cavities and in coupled cavity arrays, at low and room temperature. Such ultrafast, efficient, and compact lasers show great promise for applications in high‐speed communications, information processing, and on‐chip optical interconnects.     

双重复频率锁模Yb:YAG陶瓷激光器

近年来,双重复频率锁模激光器在诸如双光梳光谱和异步光学采样等应用领域吸引了广泛关注.基于单一激光腔的双梳系统能大大降低成本,简化系统结构,且性能优异.双重复频率锁模激光器为发展紧凑型和实用型双梳装置开辟了道路.本文报道了一种可用作双光梳光谱系统光源的双重复频率锁模Yb:YAG陶瓷激光器.该激光器基于半导体可饱和吸收镜锁模技术,采用双通道抽运结构,利用新型非水基流延成型制备的Yb:YAG透明陶瓷,在单一的五镜腔中,当吸收抽运光功率为5.6 W时,实现了自启动、稳定运转的双重复频率锁模脉冲Pulse1和Pulse2,其重复频率分别为448.918和448.923 MHz,重复频率差为5 kHz.在吸收抽运功率为7 W时,得到最大的总平均输出功率170 mW,其中Pulse1和Pulse2的功率分别为89和81 mW,相应的光谱宽度分别为1和1.16 nm.性能相似的双重复频率脉冲彼此间保持了良好的相干性,实验结果证明了双通道抽运在双重复频率锁模激光器应用中的可行性,此种新型双重复频率激光器在双光梳光谱和测距等领域具有较好的应用潜力.     

Ultrafast switching dynamics of nonlasing modes of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have been investigated with ultrafast optical modulation. After injection of a subpicosecond laser pulse into the VCSEL cavity, nonlasing modes were excited and produced optical beating in the emission of the VCSEL. After these oscillations have died down, when the VCSEL is operating at high power and when the injected laser pulses exceed a power threshold as well, the injected laser pulses can induce the lasing to switch to a normally nonlasing mode with crossed polarization. Our measurements of the decay time of the nonlasing modes at low injected pulse energy are consistent with the interpretation of this switching as enabled by increased lifetime of the nonlasing modes at high power.     

Ultrafast fiber lasers for strong‐field physics experiments

The recent demonstration of rare‐earth‐doped fiber lasers with a continuous‐wave output power approaching the 10‐kW level with diffraction‐limited beam quality proves that fiber lasers constitute a scalable solid‐state laser concept in terms of average power. In order to generate high peak power pulses from a fiber several fundamental limitations have to be overcome. This can be achieved by novel experimental strategies and fiber designs that offer an enormous potential towards ultrafast laser systems combining high average powers (> kW) and high peak power (> GW). In this paper the challenges, achievements and perspectives of ultrashort pulse generation and amplification in fibers are reviewed. This kind of laser system will have a tremendous impact on strong‐field physics experiments, such as the generation of coherent light by high‐harmonic generation. So far, applications in the interesting EUV spectral range suffer from the very low photon count leading to nonrelevant integration times with highly sophisticated detection schemes. High repetition rate high average power fiber lasers can potentially solve this issue. First demonstrations of high repetition‐rate strong‐field physics experiments using novel fiber laser systems will be discussed.     

互相关法实现超短脉冲精确延时的探测及控制

在超短超强激光装置中, 强激光与靶物质相互作用产生等离子体, 为了获知等离子体的演化规律, 需要准确控制探针光与打靶主激光的相对延时, 精度须达到几十飞秒至几皮秒。为此设计了一台延时测量仪, 该测量仪基于超短脉冲强度二阶单次互相关测量原理, 利用非线性晶体的非共线和频效应, 采用线阵CCD采集探针光与打靶光产生的和频光空间光强分布曲线, 通过测量和频光强峰值的相对移动量, 反映探针光与打靶光的相对延时, 控制延时光路达到两光束的精确延时。详细阐述了该延时测量仪的构型, 讨论了超短脉冲强度互相关测量的原理, 理论分析了两光束的相对时间差与和频光峰值相对移动量之间的关系, 通过数值模拟给出了两光束夹角对延时测量精度的影响, 可根据不同要求改变两光束夹角更换晶体, 以满足延时精度及延时范围的要求。在理论分析的基础上进行了初步的实验验证。     

Ultrafast intensity modulation by Raman gain for all-optical in-fiber processing

We present experimental results on ultrafast intensity modulation using the Raman effect and demonstrate 10-Gbit/s selective pulse erasure. The technique is both broadband and polarization insensitive and has a potential speed in excess of 500 Gbits/s. In addition to performing pulse erasure, this all-optical modulator can shape pulses as a precise, soft aperture scalpel and create short, dark pulses.     

飞秒激光对高反膜的破坏及其超快动力学过程

研究了800nm飞秒激光照射下45°高反膜ZrO2-Si O2的破坏及其超快动力学过程。利用原子力显微镜和扫描电镜观察了材料的烧蚀形貌,测量了破坏阈值与脉冲宽度、烧蚀深度与脉冲能量的依赖关系。随着脉冲宽度从50fs增加到900fs,其烧蚀阈值从0.35J/cm2增加到1.78J/cm2。烧蚀深度与激光能流密度近似成对数关系。当激光强度略高于烧蚀阈值时,材料很快被烧蚀到几百纳米,烧蚀深度表现出明显的层状特性。同时,利用建立的抽运探针实验系统,测量了高强度抽运脉冲作用下材料对探针光的反射率随延迟时间的变化,揭示了薄膜烧蚀的超快动力学过程。实验结果表明高反膜表层的材料对烧蚀特性有重要影响。     

双色场下紫外超短脉冲的频谱展宽

当共线传输的双色强激光脉冲满足时间重叠时,其等离子体通道间将出现强烈的耦合作用,由此引起的交叉相位调制可产生强烈的非线性效应,使紫外超短脉冲的频谱展宽效应得到增强.将由钛宝石激光系统经三倍频得到的能量为045 mJ、带宽为15 nm的紫外脉冲和能量为71 mJ的近红外脉冲共线聚焦后,在氩气样品池中分别诱导产生等离子体通道,发现紫外脉冲光谱受到明显调制.调制后的光谱半高全宽增至64 nm,为聚焦前谱宽的4倍,是单束紫外脉冲成丝时谱宽的25倍.实验着重研究在不同时间延迟、耦合位置和气体压强情况下,双 关键词： 紫外超快脉冲 双色光丝 非线性效应 光谱展宽     

Yb∶YAG超快闪烁晶体研究进展与展望

Yb3+离子掺杂YAG晶体(Yb∶YAG)作为一种性能优良的激光晶体已广泛应用于高效、高功率激光领域。最新研究表明,Yb∶YAG晶体响应时间可达0.411 ns,其优良的超快闪烁特性在超快脉冲辐射探测、惯性约束核聚变、空间辐射探测、核反应动力学等领域的应用引起了广泛关注,使得Yb∶YAG晶体成为超快闪烁材料研究的热点。关于Yb∶YAG的闪烁特性,文章在系统介绍Yb∶YAG作为超快闪烁晶体研究进展和发光机理的基础上,归纳总结了掺杂种类、浓度、后处理工艺、辐照、格位尺寸大小、温度等对Yb∶YAG晶体闪烁性能的影响。然后,针对Yb∶YAG目前存在的问题,给出相应的解释并提出通过离子共掺调控来改善其闪烁性能的方法。最后,对Yb∶YAG超快闪烁晶体未来的发展方向进行了展望。     

基于混合锁模的耗散孤子掺铒光纤激光器

从一种简单、全光纤结构的混合被动锁模掺铒光纤激光器中,得到了高稳定性、宽光谱的耗散孤子。激光器结合了半导体可饱和吸收体和非线性偏振旋转两种锁模机制,并运行在正常色散区内;通过色散管理,激光器能产生光谱宽度39.1 nm和时域宽度178 fs的孤子脉冲序列。激光输出的中心波长为1.55μm,重复频率约为34.3 MHz,单脉冲能量在0.33 nJ左右。与此同时,激光器的斜效率也约等于15.5%;室温工作下,激光器能实现自启动锁模,且运行在稳定单脉冲输出状态的时长在15 h以上。     

Gigahertz Harmonic Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Based on Tunable SMS Ultrafast Optical Switch

A novel passively gigahertz harmonic mode-locked all-fiber laser based on hybrid fiber structure (single-mode fiber–graded-index multimode fiber–single-mode fiber (SMS)) is proposed SMS, which coils on the paddles of polarization controller (PC), is demonstrated to modulate the temporal intensity for mode-locking. The nonlinear absorption properties of the optical switch are controllable by adjusting the paddles of PC; such an ultrafast optical switch enables the wavelength switchable harmonic mode-locking operation. Ultrafast pulses with 1.9 ps at 1558.41 nm and 0.95 ps at 1563.08 nm are generated. The maximum repetition rate of the laser up to 1.127 GHz harmonic of fundamental repetition mode-locking at 1563.08 nm, corresponding to 880 order, and the output power is 4.2 mW. Considering its superiority in terms of low cost, easy integration, and high reliability, the findings validate that SMS can be used in harmonic mode-locking.     

Ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopy

This paper deals with a new form of nonlinear Raman spectroscopy called ‘ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopy (URLS)’. URLS is analogous to stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SRS) but is much more sensitive than SRS. The signals are background (noise) free unlike in coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) and it provides natural fluorescence rejection, which is a major problem in Raman spectroscopy. In addition, being a self‐phase matching process, the URLS experiment is much easier than CARS, which requires specific phase matching of the laser pulses. URLS is expected to be alternative if not competitive to CARS microscopy, which has become a popular technique in applications to materials, biology and medicine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New approach of semiconductor laser related technologies for ultrafast photonics

Ultrashort laser pulses offer new jump in information and communication technology. Especially semiconductor laser based ultrafast photonic devices and systems are promising. We review our new approaches for femtosecond pulse generation, and thin film technology for broad band semiconductor optical amplifiers.     

用超快电子衍射技术研究Al薄膜的超快动力学行为

超快电子衍射（UED）技术因其同时具有亚皮秒的时间分辨和亚毫埃的空间分辨能力,成为研究物质瞬态结构变化,特别是研究晶格材料超快动力学的有力工具.应用国内首台自行研制的UED系统,我们实时测量了超快激光脉冲激发下,20 nm金属Al多晶薄膜产生的相干声子和晶格热运动.实验结果显示,在晶格热运动加剧的同时,热应力的作用使晶格产生了相干振荡,并最终膨胀达到新的平衡位置.实验中测得的振荡周期以及晶格上升的温度与理论计算的结果符合较好,展示了UED技术在超快晶格动力学研究方面的广阔应用前景 关键词： 超快电子衍射 相干声子 晶格热运动     

Ultrafast structural dynamics using time-resolved x-ray diffraction driven by relativistic laser pulses

Based on a femtosecond laser plasma-induced hard x-ray source with a high laser pulse energy( 100 mJ) at 10 Hz repetition rate,we present a time-resolved x-ray diffraction system on an ultrafast time scale.The laser intensity is at relativistic regime(2 × 10~(19) W/cm~2),which is essential for effectively generating K_α source in high-Z metal material.The produced copper K_α radiation yield reaches to 2.5 × 10~8 photons/sr/shot.The multilayer mirrors are optimized for monochromatizating and two-dimensional beam shaping of K_α emission.Our experiment exhibits its ability of monitoring the transient structural changes in a thin film SrCoO_(2.5) crystal.It is demonstrated that this facility is a powerful tool to perform dynamic studies on samples and adaptable to the specific needs for different particular applications with high flexibility.     

Advanced time-resolved absorption spectroscopy with an ultrashort visible/near IR laser and a multi-channel lock-in detector

Ultrashort visible-near infrared (NIR) pulse generation and its applications to ultrafast spectroscopy are discussed. Femtosecond pulses of around 800 nm from a Ti:sapphire laser are used as a pump of an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) in a non-collinear configuration to generate ultrashort visible (500–780 nm) pulses and deep-ultraviolet (DUV, 259–282 nm) pulses. The visible-NIR pulses and DUV pulses were compressed to 3.9 fs and 10.4 fs, respectively, and used to elucidate various ultrafast dynamics in condensed matter with a sub-10 fs resolution by pump-probe measurements. We have also developed a 128-channel lock-in amplifier. The combined system of the world-shortest visible pulse from the OPA and the lock-in amplifier with the world-largest channel-number can clarify the sub-10 fs-dynamics in condensed matter. This system clarified structural changes in an excited state, reaction intermediate, and a transition state. This is possible even during molecular vibration and reactions via a real-time-resolved vibronic spectrum, which provides molecular structural change information. Also, ultrafast dynamics in exotic materials like carbon nanotubes, topological insulators, and novel solar battery systems have been clarified. Furthermore, the carrier-envelope phase in the ultrashort pulse has been controlled and measured.     

Ultrafast two-color ablation of fused silica

Two ultrafast laser pulses at the fundamental Ti:sapphire laser wavelength of 800 nm and the second harmonic at 400 nm were used to study the temporal evolution of the transmissivity in fused silica and resulting material ablation. It was observed that there was a sharp drop in the transmissivity of the probe pulse at zero delay between the two pulses, indicating that there was enhanced absorption/reflection due to the creation of defect states or free electron plasma by the pump pulse. Subsequent atomic force microscopy measurements of the ablated holes revealed that the ablated volume increased by about 50% when the separations of the two pulses are within 300 fs. Two-color machining of channels at the surface also showed a similar increase in the machined depth and width when the pulses are overlapped in time. PACS 52.38.Mf; 78.47.+p; 79.20.Ds