Non-critically phase-matched,Ti:Sapphire-pumped picosecond optical parametric oscillator using LiB3O5

We report a new source of high-repetition rate and widely tunable picosecond pulses for the near infrared. A singly resonant, cw, picosecond optical parametric oscillator based on temperature-tuned LiB₃O₅ and synchronously pumped by 1.8 ps pulses from a self-mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser is demonstrated. The oscillator can provide average output powers of up to 90 mW under non-critical type-I phase matching at a pulse repetition rate of 81 MHz. Without dispersion compensation, transform-limited signal pulses with 720 fs durations have been generated at 1.2 times threshold. With the available mirror set, signal tuning over 1.374–1.530 µm and idler tuning over 1.676–1.828 µm is demonstrated for a range of pump wavelengths and phase-matching temperatures. With additional mirrors, continuous tuning throughout 1–2.7 µm should be readily attainable with a single LiB₃O₅ crystal.     

500 nm continuous wave tunable single-frequency mid-IR light source for C-H spectroscopy

A computer controlled tunable mid-IR light source, based on single resonant difference frequency generation (DFG), is experimentally investigated. The DFG process is pumped by an external cavity tapered diode laser, tunable over a spectral range of 30 nm. Grating feedback to the single mode channel of the tapered diode narrows the spectrum and allows for tuning of the emitted spectrum in the range from 780 to 810 nm. The DFG process takes place intra-cavity in a high finesse diode pumped 1064 nm solid state Nd:YVO₄ laser cavity, using periodically poled LiNbO₃ as the nonlinear material. Based on this new approach, a tunable single-frequency output power exceeding 3 mW was obtained in the mid-IR tuning range from 2.9 to 3.4 ??m.     

High-resolution photoacoustic and direct absorption spectroscopy of main greenhouse gases by use of a pulsed entangled cavity doubly resonant OPO

An entangled cavity doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (ECOPO) has been developed to provide tunable narrow line width (<100 MHz) pulsed (8 ns) radiation over the 3.8–4.3 μm spectral range at a multi-kilohertz repetition rate with up to 100-W peak power. We demonstrate that coarse single mode tuning is obtained over the full spectral range of oscillation (300 cm⁻¹), while automated mode-hop-free fine tuning is carried out over more than 100 GHz. High-resolution spectra of main greenhouse gases (CO₂, N₂O, SO₂ and CH₄) have been obtained in good agreement with calculated spectra from the HITRAN database. These experiments outline the unique capabilities of the ECOPO for multi-gas sensing based on direct absorption as well as photoacoustic spectroscopy.     

Widely tunable PPLN/IOPO driven by a diode-end-pumped Q-switched Nd:YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> laser

This paper reported a broadband tuning intracavity optical parametric oscillator (IOPO), based on the multiple grating periodical poled lithium niobate (PPLN) pumped by a acoustic-optical (AO) Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser. The widely tunable OPO output signal wavelength range from 1390 to 1605 nm, which was obtained by changing PPLN poling period from 27.8 to 31.6 μm at a certain temperature of 46°C, while the continuous tuning range was measured from 1475 to 1592 nm with the PPLN poling period of 30 μm by varying the temperature of nonlinear crystal PPLN from 50 to 120°C. The maximum output power of 0.92 W at 1534 nm with the minimum pulse width of 5.17 ns was generated under the incident pump power of 9.6 W at 808 nm. The corresponding peak power and single pulse energy were calculated to be 5.94 kW and 30.7 μJ, respectively. The M ₂-factor was measured to be 2.01 at the signal power of 0.4 W.     

Measurement of electric field strengths in a waveguide by means of the dynamic Stark effect in hydrogen and neutral helium spectral lines

The dynamic Stark effect of the spectral lines H_β and of the neutral helium lines λ=402.6 nm (2³ P ⁰−5³ D) and λ=438.8 nm (2¹ P ⁰−5¹ D) emitted from a discharge tube was used for probing rf electric fields in a transverse waveguide. Calculations accounting for the pertubation of the atomic states by strong unidirectional fields prove to be suitable in order to interprete the main experimental results. If the waveguide is terminated with a metallic reflector and the plasma in the discharge tube becomes overdense—then representing a slightly permeable mirror—a resonant enhancement of the electric field strength may be achieved by tuning. This enhancement is well recognizable in the spectral line contours.     

AN OPEN RESONATOR FOR PHYSICAL STUDIES

The excitation efficency of the TEM_01q oscillation of an two-mirror hemispherical open resonator (OR) is studied. The resonator is excited by the TE₀₁ wave of a circular waveguide joined in the middle of the OR plane mirror. Given the waveguide optimum size, the TEM_01q mode excitation efficiency reaches 78%. Analysis of the resonant system spectrum in the 4-mm wave region shows that this waveguide-OR system offers a single mode resonance curve across almost a 10-GHz tuning range. The TEM₀₁₁₀ mode field distribution with and without the circular waveguide in the middle of the OR plane mirror is available due to the small scatterer method. It is shown that the considered open system is suitable for measuring electromagnetic characteristics of high-loss substances and metamaterials in the short-wave end of the millimeter (mm) region as well as in the submillimeter (submm) wave region.     

基于LiNbO_3的长周期波导光栅可调谐耦合器的设计

设计了一种基于LiNbO_3的长周期波导光栅可调谐耦合器.该耦合器利用长周期光栅的独有特性将输入波导的导模经包层模耦合至输出波导导模.由于LiNbO_3的电光效应,波导光栅芯层与包层的有效折射率随外加电压变化,从而耦合器的谐振波长及耦合效率可由外加电压调谐.分析了光栅周期与耦合器的长度对耦合器带宽和耦合效率调谐范围的影响,以及波导尺寸对谐振波长调谐灵敏度的影响.结果表明光栅周期越短,耦合器长度越长,则耦合器的带宽越窄,耦合效率调谐范围也越大.此外,谐振波长调谐灵敏度随波导宽度的增加而减小,而波导厚度对谐振波长调谐灵敏度的影响可以忽略.对光栅周期为94μm、长度为3.52cm的耦合器进行仿真,结果表明,谐振波长灵敏度为26.2pm/V,3dB带宽可达4.5nm,当外加电压从0变化到200V时,谐振波长变化5.24nm,耦合效率可在1到0.15之间进行调谐.     

中红外色散平坦硫系光子晶体光纤设计及性能研究

本文以自制Ge20Sb15Se65硫系玻璃为基质材料,设计一种正八边形结构色散平坦型中红外硫系光子晶体光纤,并采用多极法对其中红外色散和传输特性进行数值研究.结果表明:控制该光纤占空比(d/Λ)在0.323—0.367之间,其色散及传输特性在3—5μm范围内可调.当孔间距Λ=3.4μm,孔直径d=1.1μm时,光纤在4.1—4.9μm波段的色散值在0.8—0.8 ps·nm 1·km 1波动,且具备单模低损耗传输(Loss0.049dB/m),小模场面积(Aeff8.46μm2)特性,适合于中红外非线性应用领域.     

Picosecond Nd:BaY2F8 laser discretely tunable around 1 μm

Passive mode-locking of a diode-pumped Nd:BaY₂F₈ (Nd:BaYF) was achieved on four lines in the range 1040–1074 nm, employing a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SAM). Nearly Fourier-limited pulses with durations of 2.6 to 7.2 ps and output power ≈50 mW were generated in a dispersion-controlled resonator using a single prism for wavelength selection, tuning and dispersion management.     

A tunable waveguide CO2 laser using Fabry-Perot modulator and fox-smith type mode selector

A tunable waveguide CO₂ laser was constructed and tested. Efficient output was obtained over expanded tuning range making use of the coupling modulation through the F-P modulator. A fox-smith type mode selector was used to obtain the tuning range wider than the longitudinal mode spacing.A continuous tuning range of 2.2GHz was experimentally obtained.     

Atomic and molecular spectroscopy with a continuous-wave, doubly resonant, monolithic optical parametric oscillator

Doppler-broadened atomic and molecular spectra were observed with a one octave tunable, continuous-wave, doubly resonant, monolithic optical parametric oscillator (OPO) using 5% MgO-doped LiNbO₃ as a non-linear crystal with a birefringent phase-matching configuration. By tuning the frequency of a pump laser, longitudinal mode selection over 20 successive modes, corresponding to a 60 GHz span, was possible, owing to the simple structure of the monolithic OPO. Continuous frequency tuning was achieved using an external waveguide-type electrooptic phase modulator (EOM). By changing the modulation frequency of the EOM, frequency tuning of the optical sidebands over 12 GHz was possible, which is larger than the one free spectral range of the monolithic cavity of 3 GHz. We could observe the Cs-D₁ (894 nm), Cs-D₂ (852 nm), Rb-D₁ (795 nm), acetylene R9 (1520 nm) and P9 (1530 nm) transitions with the single monolithic OPO.     

DIELECTRIC EFFECT ON THE RADIO-FREQUENCY CHARACTERISTICS OF A RECTANGULAR WAVEGUIDE GRATING TRAVELING WAVE TUBE

A new type of partial-dielectric-loaded rectangular waveguide grating slow-wave structure (SWS) for millimeter wave traveling wave tube (TWT) is presented in this paper. The radio-frequency characteristics including the dispersion properties, the longitudinal electric field distribution and the beam-wave coupling impedance of this structure are analyzed. The results show that the dispersion of the rectangular waveguide grating circuit is weakened, the phase velocity is reduced and the position of the maximum E _z is basically invariant after partially filling the dielectric materials in the rectangular waveguide grating SWS. Although the coupling impedance decreases a little, it still keeps above 40 Ω.     

Effect of plasma on modal dispersion characteristics of elliptical Bragg waveguide

In this paper, the dispersion characteristics of a plasma filled elliptical Bragg waveguide is investigated. The modal characteristic equations of the proposed Bragg waveguide for both ω > ω_p and ω < ω_p are derived. The effects of plasma frequency, numbers of cladding layers and the eccentricity of elliptical Bragg waveguide on the dispersion characteristics are studied. The analysis shows that the introduction of plasma in the proposed waveguide allows to control the propagation of modes.     

High spectral resolution analysis of tunable narrowband resonant grating waveguide structures

A high spectral resolution analysis of narrowband reflection filters based on resonant grating waveguide structures is presented. A tunable high-performance dye laser with ∼ 0.15 cm^-1 line width and a beam analyzing system consisting of three simultaneously controlled CCD cameras were used to investigate grating waveguide resonances at wavelengths in the 694 nm and 633 nm ranges. A reflectivity of ∼ 91% and a line width of ∼ 0.55 nm were measured and theoretically modeled for a resonant reflection filter specifically designed for the ruby laser wavelength 694.2 nm. For a second grating waveguide structure, designed for the helium-neon laser emission wavelength 632.8 nm, we observed a thermal shift of its spectral resonance position of several nanometers, when increasing the sample temperature by some degrees. An inverse thermal shift was observed when the structure was subsequently cooled down to room temperature. Our results suggest implementation of grating waveguide devices combining a narrow line width with a tunability of the resonant response into innovative concepts for reflection filter and sensor applications. PACS 42.62.-b; 42.79.Dj; 42.79.Gn     

Spectral anomalies of waveguide electromagnetic modes in layered structures

A theoretical study of electromagnetic guided eigenwaves in two-and three-layered plates with metallized surfaces is accomplished. The appropriate dispersion equations are explicitly analyzed using the discretization first introduced by Mindlin in the theory of Lamb acoustic waves. It is shown that the dispersion branches of independent eigenmode families cross each other in the nodes of a grid formed by two infinite series of bond lines. The latter represent the dispersion curves for homogeneous plates with permittivities ɛ₂ or ɛ₂ coinciding with those for the layers of the waveguide. It is proved that, beyond nodes of the grid, the dispersion curves do not intersect bond lines, which thus provides definite “corridors” for these curves. The dispersion lines have a wavy (“zigzag”) form in the grid zone and remain smooth beyond the grid. The crossing branches have coinciding cutoff frequencies. In dimensionless coordinates “slowness (S) vs. frequency (f),” the branches S _l (f) have two asymptotic levels: S = √ɛ₁ and S = √ɛ₂. At the lower level, the spectrum forms a steplike terracing pattern with a progressive closing to the asymptote of a succession of dispersion curves, which change each other at this level with further going up to the next asymptote. An extension to anisotropic waveguides with layers made of uniaxial crystals is considered. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Features of the dispersion characteristics of nonuniform plasma waveguides in a longitudinal magnetic field

We study the features of the dispersion curves and field structures of the fundamental axisymmetric mode of nonuniform layered plasma waveguides in a longitudinal magnetic field. It is shown that the presence of sharp boundaries between layers leads to the appearance of additional branches of the dispersion curves in the frequency range ω _Be < ω < ω_UH(0), where ω_Be is the electron gyrofrequency and ω_UH(0) is the upper-hybrid resonance frequency for the near-axis region of a nonuniform waveguide. The fields of eigenmodes corresponding to these branches comprise resonance structures near the sharp plasma-density variation at which the upper-hybrid resonance conditions are satisfied and plasma waves are excited. The frequency interval of such a branch is limited by the resonant frequencies of the neighboring uniform layers. It turns out that in the case of a strong magnetic field ({ie392-01}, where ω_p is the plasma frequency having the value {ie392-02} in the near-axis region of a nonuniform waveguide), the fundamental-mode field is localized in the near-axis region of a nonuniform waveguide, whereas in the opposite case {ie392-03}, the maximum wave fields are localized in either the upper-hybrid resonance region or the outer (near-boundary) layer of the waveguide if there is no resonance region. It is found that the whistler (helicon) contribution to the field structure of the fundamental axisymmetric mode is very small for narrow nonuniform waveguides (b < λ₀, where b is the waveguide radius and λ₀ is the wavelength in free space) if the plasma density on the axis is high compared with the cutoff density {ie392-04}. We present one of the possible explanations for the effect of narrowing of the plasma channel of a high-frequency whistler-range discharge with distance from a source in the increasing magnetic field. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 51, No. 5, pp. 434–446, May 2008.     

A broadly tunable IR waveguide Raman laser pumped by a dye laser

Design and performance characteristics of a tunable ir waveguide Raman laser pumped by a high power dye laser are described. Using SRS up to third Stokes order in compressed H₂, the wavelength range from 0.7 to 7 μm has been covered without gaps. Taking advantage of a waveguide structure in the scattering chamber, energy conversion efficiencies better than 1% with power levels in excess of 80 kW for the third Stokes component have been achieved. The experimental results support the theoretical predictions that a 4-wave parametric process is responsible for the production of the third Stokes component.     

Tuning properties of long period gratings in photonic bandgap fibers

We investigate the thermal tuning properties of long period gratings (LPGs) in a fluid-filled photonic bandgap fiber (PBGF). The combination of strong, resonant waveguide dispersion, characteristic of all PBGF modes, and the large thermo-optic coefficients of fluids yields highly tunable grating resonances. We measure grating resonances in three transmission bands with large tuning coefficients of up to -1.58 nm/degrees C, which match numerical results. We derive an analytic model for the PBGF LPG tuning coefficient to show how it depends on both the shift of the transmission bands and the dispersion of the coupled modes.     

Si-based optoelectronic devices and their attractive applications

The semiconductor photonics and optoelectronics which have a great significance in the development of advanced high technology of information systems will be discussed in this paper. The emphasis will be put on the recent research carried out in our laboratory in enhanced luminescence from low dimensional materials such as SiGe/Si and Er-doped Si-rich SiO₂/Si and Er-doped Si _x N _y /Si. A ring shape waveguide structure, used to promote the effective absorption coefficient in PIN photodetector for 1.3 μm wavelength and a resonant cavity enhanced structure, used to improve the quantum efficiency and response in heterostructure photo-transistor (HPT), are also proposed in this paper. Presented at the 1st Czech-Chinese Workshop “Advanced Materials for Optoelectronics”, Prague, Czech Republic, June 13–17, 1998.     

High extinction ratio metal-insulator-semiconductor waveguide surface plasmon polariton polarizer

The attenuation characteristics of a multilayer metal clad GaAs-AlGaAs optical waveguide polarizer are theoretically investigated. The dispersion relations and field distribution of the multilayer structures are calculated for different geometrical parameters and material properties. The polarizer studied consists of a single mode finite/infinite metal clad GaAs-AlGaAs waveguide with a dielectric (SiO₂/Si₃N₄) buffer layer inserted between the metal and the waveguide.Conventionally, the TM polarized waves are found to exhibit an absorption peak at a particular buffer thickness (called critical buffer thickness).We shall show that the maximum TM absorption can be improved by a multiple factor up to 7 by choosing a buffer layer thicker than its critical value. This corresponds to an extinction ratio of 1470 dB for a polarizer length of 1 mm. Further, thicker buffers reduce the insertion losses and values as low as 0.1 dB can be obtained. The strong TM absorption in these structures is interpreted as resonant coupling of the guided mode to the lossy surface plasmon polariton supported by the thin metal film. Thicker buffer also reduces the TE losses (insertion losses) and hence increases the extinction ratio (ratio of TM to TE losses).This can be achieved by optimizing the buffer and the metal thicknesses. Another equally efficient polarizer can be designed by positioning a dielectric (same as buffer) layer (superstrate layer) above the metal film and then optimizing the buffer, metal and the superstrate thicknesses. We also show that the proposed polarizer with the superstrate layer is highly stable even when exposed to the extreme atmospheric changes.