Observations of higher-order laser-induced surface ripples on 〈111〉 germanium

We report the observation and analysis of higher-order optical diffraction patterns arising from linear combinations of the primary laser-induced gratings or ripples on germanium surfaces. These higher-order surface structures presumably arise from nonlinear interactions between superimposed primary gratings with different grating wave vectors. For gratings produced by normally incident laser beams on Ge 〈111〉 surfaces, the diffraction patterns exhibit a strongly hexagonal symmetry.     

Novel non-linear optical techniques for diagnostics: laser-induced gratings and two-colour four-wave mixing

Electrostriction, population transfer caused by absorption of laser energy and subsequent thermalization are the most important mechanisms responsible for the formation of laser-induced gratings. Applying time resolved light diffraction from electrostrictive gratings allows for the measurements of thermodynamic properties like temperature, gas composition, and flow velocity. Thermal gratings can be employed as a very sensitive spectroscopic tool.The Two-Colour Four-Wave Mixing (TCFWM) signal formed by a non-resonant pump laser and a resonant probe laser in an acetylene/air diffusion flame comprises of contributions due to soot and C₂, the latter is generated by vaporising the soot. Profile measurements across the flame have shown that the signal composition changes within the flame.Intermediate level labelling by Two-Colour Resonant Four-Wave Mixing Spectroscopy (TC-RFWM) is applied to reduce the spectral complexity of molecular spectra. In addition, we observe extra resonances forbidden by a conventional three-level scheme in OH- and NH-containing flames. A detailed investigation shows that the newly observed TC-RFWM resonances are induced by collisional energy transfer within the population, alignment and orientation gratings formed in both electronic states that are coupled to the laser fields.     

时间延迟激光感生双光栅的理论及实验研究

从理论上分析了激光相位及振幅的随机涨落对由热效应引起的时间延迟激光感生双光栅(TDLIDG)的影响.结果表明,四波混频信号调制的振幅随两束泵光相对延迟的增加而衰变.实验结果与理论预测基本一致.我们还证实用TDLIDG测量两束光的波长差可以达到与激光线宽同一量级的精度.     

Treatment of laser-induced thermal acoustics in the framework of discrete kinetic theory

The physics behind the laser-induced thermal acoustics technique is dealt with on a microscopic level. A discrete velocity model of the Boltzmann equation for inelastically interacting gas mixtures in the presence of two counterpropagating laser beams is established. The collisional scheme for the model is developed by taking into account elastic and inelastic interactions between the gas particles, on the one hand, and the interactions between monochromatic laser photons and gas particles, on the other hand. The formation and evolution of laser-pulse-driven thermal and density gratings are simulated by numerically solving the discrete kinetic equations based on the fractional step method. Numerical results are provided for a wide scope of Knudsen numbers.     

Gas phase diagnostics by laser-induced gratings I. theory

Electrostriction and collisional thermalization of absorbed laser energy are the two dominant mechanisms leading to the formation of laser-induced gratings (LIGs) in the gas phase. In this article the results of the theoretical investigations that have been achieved in the past ten years at the Paul Scherrer Institute on this issue are summarized and yield a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physical concepts. Furthermore, a study of the influence of various parameters, such as the alignment and the spatial intensity profile of the beams on the generated electrostrictive and thermal signal is presented for the first time to the authors’ knowledge. The variations of the refractive index responsible for the appearance of laser-induced gratings have been theoretically described by solving the linearized hydrodynamic equations. The contributions from electrostriction, as well as from instantaneous and slow relaxation of the absorbed radiation energy into heat is obtained. These expressions are employed for analysis of experimental data presented in the companion paper [1] which is devoted to the application of the technique for diagnostic purposes in the gas phase. Much effort has been undertaken in order to allow a straightforward physical interpretation of the experimental findings of the expressions presented here.     

Time-compensated grazing-incidence monochromator for extreme-ultraviolet and soft X-ray high-order harmonics

The use of a grating monochromator for the selection of one or more high-order laser harmonics produced by a femtosecond pulse interacting with a gas jet may alter the duration of the pulse itself. This is due to the differences in the optical paths of the rays caused by ordinary diffraction when a grating is used. The time stretching can be almost eliminated by using two gratings in time-compensated configurations. Unfortunately, the classical diffraction mounting has low efficiency, overall in the extreme-ultraviolet region. High broadband efficiency can be obtained by using the conical diffraction mounting. A time-compensated monochromator with toroidal gratings used in conical diffraction is here presented. It is shown that the time compensation is very effective in a broad spectral region, ranging from VUV to soft X-rays, with much higher efficiency than the classical diffraction mounting. PACS 42.65.Ky; 42.79.Dj; 42.65.Re; 41.85.Si     

激光感生双光栅中频谱分辨率的研究

研究了用于测量两束光频差的时间延迟激光感生双光栅的频谱分辨率，确定了当泵浦光具有高斯线型时四波混频信号的产生条件，此条件通过在可调谐的窄带激光和宽带激光间的拍频实验得到证实。     

Permanent holographic recording in indium oxide thin films using 193 nm excimer laser radiation

Permanent holographic recording in sputtered indium oxide (InO_x) thin films is demonstrated, using ultraviolet radiation at 193 nm emitted by an ArF excimer laser. Steady-state refractive index changes of up to 5×10^-3 are calculated from the measured diffraction efficiency of a HeNe laser probe beam. The recorded gratings exhibit a dynamic behaviour that relaxes to a steady-state value that depends on the oxygen partial pressure used during growth and on the recording beam intensity. The observed behaviour is explained in terms of laser-induced structural changes. Received: 12 October 1998 / Accepted: 8 March 1999 / Published online: 4 August 1999     

Demonstration of coherent addition of multiple gratings for high-energy chirped-pulse-amplified lasers

Petawatt solid-state lasers require meter-sized gratings to reach multiple-kilojoule energy levels without laser-induced damage. As an alternative to large single gratings, we demonstrate that smaller, coherently added (tiled) gratings can be used for subpicosecond-pulse compression. A Fourier-transform-limited, 650-fs chirped-pulse-amplified laser pulse is maintained by replacing a single compression grating with a tiled-grating assembly. Grating tiling provides a means to scale the energy and irradiance of short-pulse lasers.     

Gas-phase diagnostics by laser-induced gratings II. Experiments

In this article we review the results achieved in the past ten years at the Paul Scherrer Institute on the topic of diagnostics in the gas phase by laser-induced gratings (LIGs). The technique has been applied for thermometry in air and in flames at different pressures, for flow velocimetry, for concentration measurements, and for imaging purposes. The influence of collisional energy-transfer and relaxation processes in molecules on the temporal evolution of the LIG signals has also been investigated. It has been demonstrated that, for molecules with a low fluorescence quantum yield, excitation of laser-induced thermal gratings can be used as a sensitive spectroscopic tool. For the quantitative interpretation of the experiments shown in this work, the findings presented in the companion paper [1] have been used.     

Optical heterodyne detection of laser-induced gratings

A novel optical arrangement for heterodyne detection of laser-induced gratings based on the use of a phase mask for both excitation and probe beams provides phase stability and control without the need for an active stabilization scheme. The arrangement greatly simplifies the laser-induced grating experiment. The performance of the technique in both transmission and reflection geometries is illustrated through measurements of bulk and surface acoustic waves generated by picosecond laser pulses.     

Fabrication of high-efficiency diffraction gratings in glass

We investigated a microfabrication process for optical gratings with periods of micrometer order that use ultrafast laser pulses in semiconductor-doped glass. ZnS- or PbS-doped SiO2-A12O3-B2O3-CaO-ZnO-Na2O-K2O glass was prepared by a melting method. Glass transmission diffraction gratings with a high refractive-index difference were fabricated with femtosecond laser pulses. The first-order diffraction efficiencies of these gratings were approximately 80%, and the first-order diffraction angles of these gratings were 8 degrees at telecommunication wavelengths.     

Polarization holographic gratings with high diffraction efficiency recorded in azopolymer PAZO

Azopolymers are one of the most efficient materials able to record the polarization state of light. They have numerous applications, such as data storage and diffractive optical elements with unique polarization properties. An essential parameter for each diffractive element is its diffraction efficiency η. In order to optimize the recording conditions and obtain high-efficient polarization holographic gratings, in the present work we study the dependence of the diffraction efficiency on the recording angle and thickness of a series of azopolymer layers. Three recording angles are used ??10°, 20° and 30° and three series of thin films with thicknesses 470, 850 and 2400 nm from the water-soluble azopolymer PAZO. The gratings are inscribed by two plain waves with left and right circular polarization from a He-Cd gas laser (442 nm). The diffraction efficiency of the gratings is probed with a right hand circularly polarized beam from a probe laser with wavelength 635 nm. The kinetics of diffraction efficiency η(t) in the +?1 diffraction order are presented and compared. Our experimental results indicate that highest diffraction efficiency (more than 40%) is obtained for the sample with thickness 2400 nm and for recording angle 10°. As the holographic recording in azopolymers is usually accompanied by formation of surface relief gratings, the surface topography of the recorded samples is also investigated by atomic force microscopy.     

脉冲压缩光栅的激光损伤机理及阈值提升技术研究进展

总结了激光辐射条件下脉冲压缩光栅的激光诱导损伤机理,探究了表面形貌、加工方式、结构缺陷以及表面污染等因素对光栅损伤造成的影响,从微观损伤机理的角度阐释了产生损伤的内在原因。在脉冲压缩光栅的激光预处理、加工工艺及表面污染物的去除等方面,分析了实现光栅损伤阈值提升的内在因素,给出了提升光栅损伤阈值的技术措施。根据影响光栅损伤阈值的因素,提出在光栅运行过程中采用多种措施组合的方式来提升光栅的激光诱导损伤阈值。脉冲压缩光栅激光损伤机理和阈值的研究对脉冲压缩光栅系统的稳定运行具有实践意义,为激光装置高能量密度的输出奠定基础。最后,提出了光栅激光诱导损伤研究的科学与技术问题,为脉冲压缩光栅激光诱导损伤阈值的提升提供新的思路,服务于重大科学装置和重要技术领域的发展。     

Laser induced gratings in CdS

The diffraction from laser-induced gratings is observed in CdS at low temperature in the spectral region of the absorption edge. The excitation intensity is varied from about 100 W/cm² to 1 MW/cm². The reasons for the formation of gratings are a broadening of the excitonic absorption band, a new resonance due to two polariton transitions to the biexciton and the formation of an electron-hole plasma with increasing excitation intensities.     

基于高重复频率飞秒激光直写技术制作衍射光栅的研究

基于由光子晶体光纤飞秒激光器产生的高重复频率飞秒激光搭建了飞秒激光微加工系统,利用LabVIEW编写程序精密控制三维移动平台的移动路径和高速快门,在加工功率为1.5W、移动速率为1mm/s时,利用直写技术在无胶铬版上得到了微米量级的任意形状的平面衍射光栅。利用CCD相机对光栅制备过程进行实时监视,保证了光栅的加工质量。制备的光栅在显微镜下观察,条纹边缘清晰、线纹粗细均匀。使用He-Ne激光照射加工的光栅,可以获得清晰、稳定、与理论符合很好的夫琅和费(Frauhofer)衍射图样,显示了所加工的光栅具有良好的光学性能。实验结果也表明了光子晶体光纤飞秒激光在光栅制作过程中所具备的良好的加工性能。     

拼接光栅的偏差对光束空间特性的影响

用拼接小尺寸多层介质膜衍射介质膜衍射光栅的办法制作大口径的高破坏阈值光栅成为解决拍瓦激光系统输出能量的关键技术———光栅拼接技术。拼接的每个光栅都存在五维自由度的偏差,对激光脉冲的空间特性和时间特性产生影响。用夫琅禾费衍射的方法分析了拼接光栅的偏差对光束空间特性的影响,建立了偏差和远场强度分布之间的函数关系并用数值方法进行模拟,得出角度偏差对光束远场分布的影响可以忽略,而位移偏差:光栅间拼缝和前后位移偏差是影响光束远场分布的关键因素。     

Optimization of near-field optical field of multi-layer dielectric gratings for pulse compressor

Multi-layer dielectric (MLD) gratings for pulse compressors in high-energy laser systems should provide high diffraction efficiency as well as high laser induced damage thresholds (LIDT). Nonuniform optical near-field distribution is one of the important factors to limit their damage resistant capabilities. Electric field distributions in the gratings and multi-layer film region are analyzed by using Fourier modal method. Optimization of peak electric field in the gratings ridge is performed with a merit function, including both diffraction efficiency and electric field enhancement when the top layer material is HfO₂ and SiO₂, respectively. A set of optimized gratings parameters is obtained for each structure, which reduce the peak electric field within the gratings ridge to being respective 1.39 and 1.84 times the value of incident light respectively. Finally, we also discuss the effects of gratings refractive index, gratings sidewall angle and incident angle on peak electric field in the gratings ridge.     

超高强度激光脉冲压缩用衍射光栅

衍射光栅是超高强度激光脉冲压缩器的核心元件之一，其高衍射效率、高损伤阈值和大尺寸的苛刻要求是普通商业光栅所远远不能满足的，文章对高强度激光超短脉冲压缩用衍射光栅的基本要求、主要类型、研究现状进行了综述。     

Excimer laser-induced etching of sub-micron surface relief gratings in fused silica using phase grating projection

Phase grating projection using a Schwarzschild objective is presented in conjunction with a process that allows laser-induced etching of transparent materials at the interface of liquids, in order to generate periodical surface relief structures with sub-micron resolution in fused silica. The achieved sinusoidal gratings exhibit a period of 780 nm and a depth of up to 180 nm, having a roughness lower than 5 nm r.m.s. The depth and roughness of the gratings are related to the applied laser fluence and pulse number. In addition to the grating formation, an overall removal of material at higher laser fluences was found. Received: 3 December 2001 / Accepted: 5 December 2001 / Published online: 11 February 2002