Performance Characteristics of Power Build-Up Cavity for Raman Spectroscopic Measurement

Performance characteristics of power build-up cavity (PBC) as the light source of a Raman spectroscopy based gas sensor were studied. The key parameter to optimize stable and high intra-cavity power operation was beam diameter of the back reflected beam from external cavity to diode laser. The optimum diameter determined by an appropriate distance between the cavity and diode laser was found to be comparable with the waveguide cross section of diode laser for the effective spatial filtering, where inevitable cavity coupling loss caused by slight spatial mode mismatching existed. A PBC with a finesse of ∼10300 achieved a stable TEM₀₀ mode in excess of intra-cavity power of 80 watts pumped by a 10 milliwatts diode laser. Simultaneously, the PBC wavelength is found to be passively locked effectively at 670 +/− 0.15 nm where the center of the gain region exists. A Raman spectrum of nitrogen measurement was demonstrated.     

A Bidirectional, Diode-Pumped, Passively Mode-Locked Nd：YVO4 Ring Laser with a Low-Temperature-Grown Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror

We report the operation of a bidirectional picosecond pulsed ring Nd：YVO4 laser based on a low-temperaturegrown semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. Except for the laser crystal, the six-mirror ring laser cavity has no intra-cavity elements such as focusing lens or mirror. The bidirectional mode locked pluses are obtained at the repetition rate of 117.5 MHz, pulse duration of 81 ps, power of 2 × 200 mW.     

Intra-cavity spectroscopy with diode lasers

A multi-mode diode laser with an external cavity is studied experimentally and theoretically for its application to intra-cavity spectroscopy. One facet of a typical Ga_0.89Al_0.11As laser diode was antireflection-coated by deposition of HfO₂ such that 10^–3 residual reflectivity was left over. This diode was placed in an external optical cavity. The emission spectrum of this diode laser is highly sensitive to any frequency-dependent loss in the cavity, and the detectivity of such a loss grows with the pump rate. Even close to threshold, the absorption at 780 nm of Rb atoms with a density of 5×10¹⁰ cm^–3 has been detected. An adequate model for diode lasers based on rate equations and including frequency-dependent gain saturation is developed and applied to the calculations of output spectra. The sensitivity of these spectra to intra-cavity absorption is determined by the overall cavity loss — which is rather high — and the fraction of spontaneous emission in the total emission, in contrast with dye lasers where it is limited by nonlinear mode coupling. Various criteria for the sensitivity are suggested. The smallest detectable absorption with a perfectly antireflection-coated laser is 10^–6 cm^–1. Improvement of the characteristics of the laser diode would increase the sensitivity.     

Diode-pumped intra-cavity doubled Nd:LuVO4 laser at 458 nm

We have demonstrated a diode-pumped intra-cavity frequency doubling Nd:LuVO₄ laser operating at 916 nm with a Z-folded cavity. A 10-mm long LBO crystal, cut for critical type I phase matching at 912 nm, is used for the experiment. A maximum output power of 330 mW at 458 nm has been achieved at pump power of 22 W. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency and slope efficiency is 1.5% and 2.3%, respectively. The power instability at the maximum output power in 30 min is better than 3%.     

Orthogonally Linearly Polarized Dual Frequency Nd：YAG Lasers with Tunable Frequency Difference and Its Application in Precision Angle Measurement

The orthogonally linearly polarized dual frequency Nd： YA G lasers with two quarter wave plates in laser resonator are proposed. The intra-cavity variable birefringence, which is caused by relative rotation of these two wave plates in laser inner cavity, results in the frequency difference of the dual frequency laser also changeable. The theory model based on the Jones matrix is presented, as well as experimental results. The potential application of this phenomenon in precision roll-angle measurement is also discussed.     

BIBO腔内和频593 nm激光器

采用激光二极管纵向泵浦Nd∶YVO4晶体,用一个线性平凹腔实现了1064 nm和1342 nm双波长连续波振荡,经BIBO腔内和频得到了593 nm的激光输出.当泵浦输入功率为1.4 W时593 nm激光输出功率为48.5 mW. 593 nm激光功率的均方根稳定性＜2.0%,光斑椭圆度为0.90,峰-峰值噪音小于0.5%.     

Highly efficient Nd:YAG/LBO laser at 473 nm under direct 885-nm diode laser pumping

<正>In diode pumped Nd:YAG lasers,the quantum defect is the most important parameter determining the thermal load of the laser crystal,which can be dramatically reduced by pumping directly into the upper laser level.A compact folded three-mirror cavity with a length of 105 mm is optimized to obtain a highly efficient 473-nm laser.When the absorbed pump power(with 15.8-W incident pump power) at 885 nm into Nd:YAG is 10 W,a continuous-wave 473-nm blue laser as high as 2.34 W is achieved by LBO intra-cavity frequency doubled.The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 14.8%.To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency at 473 nm by an intra-cavity doubled frequency Nd:YAG laser.     

Injection seeded single mode intra-cavity absorption spectroscopy

We present a single mode intra-cavity spectroscopy system in which the test laser is locked to a narrow band external single mode laser. This technique solves many problems typically encountered in single mode intra-cavity spectroscopy: it results in good tuning properties, a stable single mode operation close to the lasing threshold, a high side-mode suppression and a reduction of spontaneous emission without the use of any frequency selective element. Measurements of broadband absorptions as well as measurements of a narrow band absorption line of the oxygen A-band are presented and compared with theoretical model predictions. The prototype described in this work provides an enhancement in sensitivity of approximately a factor of 12, and it demonstrates the influence of optical injection to single mode intra-cavity spectroscopy. As there is no need for any frequency selective element inside the cavity, the sensitivity can be massively enhanced by optimizing the laser cavity.     

用声光调制器实现的1 W Nd∶YAG单纵模环形激光器

鉴于单向环形腔是目前获得较大功率单纵模激光最有效的方式之一,为使环形腔单向运行,需要在环形腔内插入对正反2个方向的光产生损耗差的光学元件。采用激光二极管泵浦Nd∶YAG晶体,用声光调制器作为光学二极管使环形腔单向运行,实现四镜矩形环形腔单纵模激光器。实验中谐振腔的稳定性由增益介质的热透镜保证,声光调制器给正反2个方向的光提供损耗差,这使得在竞争过程中有较大损耗的光不能运行从而获得单向输出。实验获得了连续功率1 W、光束质量因子M2为1.21 的1.06 m单纵模激光。     

MW级峰值功率掺钛蓝宝石激光振荡器

在常规重复频率77 MHz掺钛蓝宝石飞秒激光器的基础上,通过腔内引入Herriott型多通望远镜系统增加总腔长及对腔内色散的深入分析和实验控制,实现了低重复频率、高脉冲能量飞秒激光振荡的稳定运行.在连续功率8.2 W的532 nm激光抽运下,得到了重复频率11 MHz、单脉冲能量达72.73 nJ、对应峰值功率MW量级的结果.相对80 MHz重复频率下6.25 nJ的单脉冲能量及150 kW的峰值功率,其输出能力提高了约一个量级. 关键词： 飞秒激光 掺钛蓝宝石激光器 低重复频率 MW     

Anisotropic optical feedback of single frequency intra-cavity He--Ne laser

This paper presents the anisotropic optical feedback of a single frequency intra-cavity He--Ne laser. A novel phenomenon was discovered that the laser output an elliptical polarized frequency instead of the initial linear polarized one. Two intensities with a phase difference were detected, both of which were modulated in the form of cosine wave and a fringe shift corresponds to a λ/2 movement of the feedback mirror. The phase difference can be continuously modulated by the wave plate in the external cavity. Frequency stabilization was used to stabilize the laser frequency so as to enlarge the measuring range and improve the measurement precision. This anisotropic optical feedback system offers a potential displacement measurement technology with the function of subdivision of λ/2 and in-time direction judgment. The three-mirror Fabry--Perot cavity model is used to present the experimental results. Given the lack of need of lasing adjustment, this full intra-cavity laser can significantly improve the simplicity and stability of the optical feedback system.     

Miniature intra-cavity modulated solid state lasers and their use in optical communication systems

Based on a model for the calculation of the variance of relaxation noise we show that it is possible in principle to modulate aminiature solid state laser at data rates (random) of 50 Mbit s^?1 and higher by modulating the cavity loss, while keeping the relaxation oscillation noise small enough to permit a 10^?9 error rate. Because of the small transit time through the miniature cavity a large modulation index (M ～ 45) can be achieved, and although the laser power output suffers this can be compensated for in data transmission by the narrow output pulse shape that characterizes our intra-cavity modulation scheme. We discuss the design of a proposed miniature laser based on an acousto-optic intracavity modulator and compare its predicted performance with that of a modulated laser source based on an external modulator. Its major advantages are a somewhat lower electrical operating power and the simple construction which is based on an all-planar technology.     

Highly efficient dual-wavelength ytterbium-doped fiber linear cavity laser based on cascaded fiber Bragg gratings

A highly efficient dual-wavelength ytterbium-doped fiber linear cavity laser is experimentally demonstrated. Two cascaded fiber Bragg gratings are used as the wavelength selection component. Stable dualwavelength operation and wavelength-switching modes can be realized by appropriately adjusting the polarization state of the intra-cavity light and the reflectivity of the laser cavity. For dual-wavelength operation, the power difference between the two wavelength lasers (1029.7 and 1040.4 nm) can be less than 0.6 dB and the signal-to-amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) ratio is more than 52 dB. The slope efficiency of the laser is as high as 63.9%.     

Compact high conversion efficiency Nd:YAG/LBO green laser using unstable V cavity

We demonstrated a 36.9 W green laser with an intra-cavity second harmonic generation. A compact unstable V type cavity was adopted to compress the whole cavity configuration. The type I phase-matching LiB₃O₅ was used as the nonlinear crystal in the second harmonic generation. The 36.9 W average power and 38 ns pulse width of 532 nm green laser was obtained at a repetition rate of 10.3 kHz, corresponding to a peak power of 94 kW. The optical to optical conversion efficiency from diode to green and from IR to green laser was about 19.8 and 82%, the whole cavity length is about 300 mm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the shortest cavity configuration of side pump green system with output power higher than 30 W and IR to green conversion efficiency larger than 80%. The output fluctuation of this system was less than 3% in 2 h.     

Efficient continuous-wave eye-safe region signal output from intra-cavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator

We report an efficient continuous-wave (CW) tunable intra-cavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on the multi-period periodically poled lithium niobate and using a laser diode (LD) end-pumped CW 1064 nm Nd:YVO₄ laser as the pump source. A highly efficiency CW operation is realized through a careful cavity design for mode matching and thermal stability. The signal tuning range is 1401-1500 nm obtained by varying the domain period. The maximum output power of 2.2 W at 1500 nm is obtained with a 17.1 W 808 nm LD power and the corresponding conversion efficiency is 12.9%.     

LD泵浦Nd:YVO4/KTP/BBO紫外激光器

本文报道在国内首次实现的LD泵浦的四倍频连续紫外激光器的实验结果.首先研究了LD泵浦的Nd:YVO₄激光器,在普通平-平腔结构下,得到斜效率55.68%,激光输出波长1064nm;利用KTP作为倍频晶体,实现腔内倍频,在泵浦功率11.85W时得到绿光(532nm)输出1.35W,光-光转换效率11%;用BBO晶体进行外腔谐振倍频,得到紫外光(266nm)输出.     

Highly Efficient Self-Starting Femtosecond Cr:Forsterite Laser

We report a highly efficient and high power self-starting femtosecond Cr：forsterite laser pumped by a 1064-nm Yb doped fibre laser. Five chirped mirrors are used to compensate for the intra-cavity group-delay dispersion, and the mode-locking is initiated by a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror （SESAM）. Under pump power of 7.9 W, stable femtosecond laser pulses with average power of 760mW are obtained, yielding a pump power slope efficiency of 12.3%. The measured pulse duration and spectral bandwidth （FWHM） are 46 fs and 45 nm; the repetition rate is 82 MHz.     

Frequency stabilization of a diode laser on the Cs D2 resonance line by the Zeeman effect in a vapor cell

Hyperfine optical pumping of a Cs-vapor cell through a diode laser in frequency standards requires a high purity of the laser emission spectrum, and a high stability of the emission frequency. We present here a frequency-locking scheme that is able to produce a discrimination signal without any modulation, by using the dichroism induced by a magnetic field on the atomic vapor. The larger line-width of the reference signal (Doppler-broadened) is compensated by its larger amplitude, when compared with the saturated absorption signal. As a final result, the slope is similar, and the large line-width warrants a large locking range, making robust the lock against external perturbations. This error signal is used to lock the frequency of an external cavity diode laser, with a grating reflector in Littman configuration. A fast correction band is obtained by changing the cavity length through an intra-cavity electro-optic modulator. The possible sources of instabilities of the locking point are discussed and estimated through a simulation computer program. Received: 28 November 2000 / Revised version: 21 May 2001 / Published online: 18 July 2001     

LD-pumped Nd:YAG/LBO 556 nm yellow laser

A new laser transition at 1112 nm was obtained after analyzing the parameters of the main laser transitions in Nd:YAG and calculating the transmission loss of the cavity at 1064, 1319, and 946 nm. The maximum output power of the fundamental wavelength was 610 mW, the fundamental wavelength light-to-light conversion efficiency was 38.1%, the maximum output at 556 nm was 109 mW intra-cavity frequency doubled by LBO, the SHG conversion efficiency was 17.8%, and the overall light-to-light efficiency was 6.8% for the pump power of 1.6 W.     

Detection and Quantitation Of Several Atomic Species By Intra-cavity Quenching Of Laser Emission

Until recently laser research has been the province of the physicist wherein lasers have been utilized extensively as sources of coherent, highly monochromatic energy. The thrust of this research has been to employ the organic solution laser output as an analytical signal from which information about a particular system may be extracted. Preliminary investigations in this laboratory showed that a great number of variables are active in the achievement of lasing from an organic solution. More significantly, concurrent work in this laboratory produced some anomalous results which were subsequently attributed to a cavity defect. This suggested that small energy losses at discrete wavelengths within the resonant cavity of an organic solution laser could result in quenching of broad band laser emission at those specific wavelengths. These considerations led to investigations in which atoms and mlecules were purposefully introduced into the resonant cavity of an organic solution laser.¹ A search of the literature revealed that investigators at The National Bureau of Standards had previously observed this phenomenon and had reported on the intra-cavity absorption of a pulsed rhodamine 6G laser emission by sodium vapor.² In a follow-up paper Keller and co-workers demonstrated the enhancement of absorption for Eu(NO₃)₃) when placed within the cavity of a rhodamine 6G laser. Concurrently absorption was observed from Ba and Sr in an air-acetylene flame within a dye laser cavity by, Thrash et al.⁴ Hansch and co-workers⁵ duplicated the intra-cavity absorption experiment with iodine vapor and compared the sensitivity of this result with measurements obtained from conventional absorption techniques. At about the same time Latz, Wyles, and Green¹ reported data which dennnstrated that the extent of intra-cavity absorption for nitrogen dioxide was linearly related to its concentration. Investigation into the use of a laminar flow burner with an air-acetylene flame within a dye laser cavity showed part per billion (ppb) detection limits for sodium as well as the detection of barium and mercury. The completion of these intracavity absorption studies in the visible region of the spectrum yielded the results which are reported here as well as quantitative intyacavity absorption data for Eu⁺³. In an independent study Konjevic also reported detection of sodium by intra-cavity absorption from an airnatural gas flame⁶.