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.     

Analysis of the spectral linewidth of three-cavity semiconductor laser diodes

The spectral linewidth for a semiconductor laser diode coupled to two external cavities (known as a three-cavity laser diode) is studied in the article. A closed-form expression for the linewidth of this laser is derived by analyzing the number of photons in the laser cavity. It is found that, because of the optical feedback provided by the external cavities, the photon lifetime becomes longer than that of a solitary Fabry-Perot (FP) laser, hence reducing the value of the spectral linewidth. Our theoretical investigations reveal that the linewidth of a three-cavity laser can be reduced further by using external mirrors with high reflectivities and using anti-refection (AR) coatings on the laser diode facets. We have also studied the effects of uncertainties in the linewidth enhancement factor a due to optical feedback and found that such uncertainties have negligible effects on the validity of our results.     

Coherent beam combination of broad-area laser diode array using off-axis external cavity with double feedback

In this letter, we demonstrate coherent beam combination of laser diode array using the external Talbot cavity with double feedback. The double feedback elements consist of grating and high-reflection plane mirror. Compared with single high-reflection plane mirror feedback, the external Talbot cavity with double feedback reduce the number of interference strips in the far-field pattern and narrow spectral line-width of the laser diode array. The results indicate that the application of the external Talbot cavity with double feedback produces a clear far-field interference pattern. In addition, line-width is reduced to 0.15 nm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM).     

喇曼自由电子激光振荡器

本文报道喇曼自由电子激光振荡器的研究结果。脉冲加速器电子束能量０．４ＭｅＶ，束流８００Ａ。采用满足布喇格条件的分布反馈谐振腔，取代传统的激光器反射镜。理论上进行了分析和设计，采用正弦形波结构选择振荡模式。喇曼自由电子激光振荡器实验表明，输出光谱显著变窄。频率分布半高宽度，超辐射下范围为７．５ｍｍ～９．２ｍｍ，分布腔下范围为８．６ｍｍ～８．９ｍｍ。     

Effect of optical feedback noise on tunable diode laser spectroscopy

The effect of optical feedback noise of a laser diode on the stability of gas-absorption spectra was investigated by monitoring the optical absorption of CO₂ gas. Lasing longitudinal mode instability greatly degraded the shape of the absorption spectra, and coherence collapse in the laser diode greatly broadened the spectra. The correlation between the optical feedback noise of the laser diode and the shape of the gas-absorption spectra was clarified on the basis of these spectral behaviors. PACS 42.62.Fi; 42.55.Px; 42.68.Ca     

Electronically tunable external-cavity laser diode

We present a new concept for an electronically tunable diode laser. It is based on an external-cavity configuration with simultaneous feedback and intracavity spatial separation of the laser's spectral components. The electronical tunability is achieved by insertion of a liquid-crystal array as an electronically controlled aperture into the region of spatial separation of the spectral components. Wavelength tunability without mechanical movement over a range of 10 nm and two-color operation are demonstrated with a 670-nm laser diode.     

窄线宽、高光束质量的外腔双反馈激光二极管阵列

设计了一种离轴双反馈外腔能够有效地改善激光二极管阵列的线宽和光束质量。闪耀光栅和高反镜之间形成了一个共振腔。通过调整光栅和高反镜之间的倾角可以选定一个空间模在共振腔中放大。将一个半波片插入外腔中的光栅反馈支路,来控制反馈光的数量,激光从光栅反馈支路输出。运用这项技术,在工作电流16 A,可以把激光二极管阵列的输出线宽压缩到0.15 nm,光束束宽积减小到283 mm·mrad。由于光栅的锁定作用,中心波长几乎不随温度的变化而改变。在工作电流17 A时,输出激光的功率为2.44 W,斜率效率为0.5 W/A。     

半导体激光光栅外腔光谱合束压窄光谱的理论研究

介绍了一种减少半导体激光器阵列光栅外腔光谱合束(SBC)整体光谱展宽的方法,通过加入一组变形棱镜对传统光谱合束结构进行了改善。变形棱镜的作用实现减小半导体激光线阵输出光斑宽度,减小入射到光栅上的入射角度进而减小整体的光谱线宽。采用发光单元宽度为100 m、周期为500 m、由19个发光单元组成的常规CM-Bar条进行光栅-外腔光谱合束技术的理论推导及软件模拟,得到了光谱线宽为3.2 nm。与通过增大柱透镜焦距来减小光谱线宽的方法相比,此方法的优势是保证了整体光谱合束的整体结构在500 mm以内,使得各个发光单元有足够反馈量,抑制光束间串扰,保证合束后的光束质量和效率。     

利用频谱仪提取双反馈混沌半导体激光器的外腔长度密钥

光反馈半导体激光器产生的高维宽带混沌载波,应用于光混沌通信系统中.主器的外腔长度用作混沌保密通信的附加密钥.本文实验研究了光反馈混沌半导体激光器外腔长度密钥的识别.通过对长腔光反馈产生的混沌频谱进行局部放大,分析其精细结构,结果表明:无论是单反馈半导体激光器还是有不同外腔长度比的双反馈半导体激光器,都可以利用频谱仪直接提取出激光器的外腔长度信息.     

半导体激光光栅外腔光谱合束压窄光谱的理论研究

介绍了一种减少半导体激光器阵列光栅外腔光谱合束(SBC)整体光谱展宽的方法,通过加入一组变形棱镜对传统光谱合束结构进行了改善。变形棱镜的作用实现减小半导体激光线阵输出光斑宽度,减小入射到光栅上的入射角度进而减小整体的光谱线宽。采用发光单元宽度为100 m、周期为500 m、由19个发光单元组成的常规CM-Bar条进行光栅-外腔光谱合束技术的理论推导及软件模拟,得到了光谱线宽为3.2 nm。与通过增大柱透镜焦距来减小光谱线宽的方法相比,此方法的优势是保证了整体光谱合束的整体结构在500 mm以内,使得各个发光单元有足够反馈量,抑制光束间串扰,保证合束后的光束质量和效率。     

Frequency dynamics of semiconductor lasers with atomic absorbers: theory and experiments

In this paper we discuss the spectral behavior of monomode semiconductor laser systems whose output amplitude is constant, but whose frequency may be bistable, multistable, locked or present instabilities. The explored configurations are: (i) a laser diode (Fabry-Pérot) under orthogonal filtered optical feedback; and (ii) an extended-cavity diode laser with an intracavity strongly-saturated resonant vapor. Starting from rate equations for the carrier density and for the radiation field oscillating in the cavity of these systems we describe spectral features which are in very good quantitative agreement with experimental observations.     

Grating feedback in a 810 nm broad-area diode laser

Narrow linewidth, single spectral mode operation has been obtained in a high power, 810 nm broad-area diode laser in an extended cavity configuration with a grating as external reflector (grating feedback). For stable operation it was necessary to misalign the feedback slightly in the plane of the laser junction. Characteristics of the thus obtained laser system are a linewidth below 5 MHz, an output intensity of about 50% of the free running power, a large-scale tuning range of 15 nm and continuous scanning over 4 GHz. In the spatial domain, the laser remains multimode and astigmatic. To show the practical applicability of this system, saturated absorption of a krypton line is demonstrated.     

Disorder mapping in VCSELs using frequency-selective feedback

We report on a simple method with a high spectral and spatial resolution for mapping variations in the cavity resonance of a plano-planar broad-area laser based on frequency-selective feedback. The demonstration experiment uses a vertical-cavity surface-emitting-laser (VCSEL), in which growth induced inhomogeneities are of particular importance. It relies only on a standalone laser with a narrow-bandwidth passive filter avoiding the need for an expensive tunable laser or high-resolution spectrometer.     

Spectral narrowing in a dye laser with non-resonant feedback

The temporal development of the spectral output of a flashlamp pumped dye laser, having non-resonant feedback achieved by means of fibre optics, has been studied using a streak camera. Spectral narrowing from 40 nm (the bandwidth of the spontaneous fluorescence of the system) to 2.5 nm has been observed, with the degree of spectral narrowing depending upon the output power.     

External cavity diode laser around 657 nm

Operating a laser diode in an external cavity, which provides frequency-selective feedback, is a very effective method to tune the laser frequency to a range far from its free running frequency. For the Ca atomic Ramsey spectroscopy experiment, we have constructed a 657-nm laser system based on the Littman-Metcalf configuration with a 660-nm commercial laser diode. Continuously 10-GHz tuning range was achieved with about 100-kHz spectral linewidth, measured with beat-note spectrum of two identical laser systems.     

Rare-earth-doped materials for applications in quantum information storage and signal processing

Realization of practical quantum memory and optical signal processing systems critically depends on suitable materials that offer specific combinations of properties. Solid-state materials such as rare-earth ions doped into dielectric crystals are one of the most promising candidates for several quantum information storage protocols, including quantum storage of single photons. This article provides an overview of rare-earth-doped material properties and summarizes some of the most promising materials studied in our laboratory and by other groups for applications in quantum information storage and for ultra-wide bandwidth signal processing. Understanding and controlling spectral diffusion in these materials, which ultimately limits the achievable performance of any quantum memory system, is also briefly reviewed. Applications in quantum information impose stringent requirements on laser phase and frequency stability, and employing a narrow spectral hole in the inhomogeneous absorption profile in these materials as a frequency reference can dramatically improve laser stability. We review our work on laser frequency and phase stabilization and report our recent results on using a narrow spectral hole as a passive dynamic spectral filter for laser phase noise suppression, which can dramatically narrow the laser linewidth with or without the requirement of active feedback.     

Improved λ/4 phase-shifted DFB semiconductor laser with spatial hole burning compensation using grating chirp

A λ/4 phase-shifted distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser with a preformed chirped grating used to compensate the spatial hole burning (SHB) induced index change is proposed and analyzed. It shows that compared with the three phase shifted DFB laser which is known for its good performance to eliminate SHB, the proposed SHB compensated laser has better single longitudinal mode property, narrower spectral linewidth and better dynamic characteristics.     

Frequency stabilization of laser diodes using 1.51-1.55 μm absorption lines of 12C2H2 and 13C2H2

Frequency stabilization of an 1.5 μm distributed feedback laser diode (DFB-LB) is demonstrated using a vibrational-rotational absorption of acetylene ¹²C₂H₂ and ¹³C₂H₂ molecules (VRAM). Frequency stability within 2 MHz peak-to-peak fluctuation can be achieved in the wavelength region of 1.51-1.55 μm. Frequency-stabilized distributed feedback (DFB) laser compact modules have been constructed. When the fiber-pigtail-type acoustic optical modulator was used for small laser frequency scanning, frequency stability within 3 MHz peak-to-peak fluctuation was achieved without any broadening of laser spectral linewidth. In addition, temperature and pressure dependencies of the acetylene absorption lines are characterized.     

激光诱导击穿光谱脉冲激光功率锁定的研究

激光诱导击穿光谱(laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy,LIBS)在煤质在线监测方面展现了突出的应用前景和研究价值。针对该技术在实际应用中会由于脉冲激光功率起伏导致的长期测量稳定性差的问题,建立了闭环负反馈式脉冲激光功率锁定装置,采用激光功率负反馈信号控制和锁定Nd∶YAG激光器输出功率。实验研究了不同分光比例脉冲激光器锁定在设定输出功率,同一分光比例激光器锁定在不同输出功率以及长时间运行时的功率锁定。结果表明,不同的分光比例对激光输出功率的锁定效果影响不大,分光比例越小,稳定速度越快;同一分光比例实现激光脉冲功率不同预设值的锁定以及在长时间运行时,采用此装置进行功率锁定后,激光输出功率处于预设区间内,RSD值由自由运行时的2.4%降低至1.1%。     

Frequency noise reduction in erbium-doped fiber distributed-feedback lasers by electronic feedback

A novel technique for suppressing frequency noise in an erbium-doped fiber distributed-feedback laser incorporated into a master-oscillator-power-amplifier configuration by an electronic feedback technique is presented. The frequency noise is suppressed by locking of the laser emission to a fiber interferometer. The frequency noise spectral density of the laser is reduced by as much as 20 dB over the frequency range 1 Hz-10 kHz to 1.5 Hz/Hz(1/2) +/-25% at 1 kHz with a relative intensity noise spectral density below -120 dB/Hz over the frequency range 10 Hz-1 kHz. These lasers will have applications as sources for fiber-optic interferometry, high-resolution spectroscopy, and high-bandwidth communications.