Characterization of probe lasers for thin-film optical measurements

The peak-power-density stability and beam-wander precision of a probe laser are important factors affecting the inspection results in precise thin-film optical measurements. These factors are also key to evaluating a probe laser for in-line long-time operation of precise thin-film optical measurements. The peak-power density and beam wander of liner helium–neon (He–Ne) lasers, random He–Ne lasers, and diode lasers as functions of time are investigated experimentally using a beam profiler. It is found that the linear polarized He–Ne laser is considered to be a promising candidate for a probe laser employed in precise thin-film optical measurements due to better peak-power-density stability and beam-wander precision. Both the peak-power-density stability and beam-wander precision of He–Ne lasers are usually better than that of diode lasers, but an adequate warm-up of He–Ne laser for 30 min is required before thin-film optical measurements are made. After 12 h operation, the linear polarized He–Ne laser is suitable for precise thin-film optical measurements because both the peak-power-density stability and the beam-wander precision reach the minimum level. A cost-effective system composed of two linear polarized He–Ne lasers for long-term operation is proposed. This system can operate for around 0.5–1.2 years in precise thin-film optical measurements under the normal operating life of a He–Ne laser by switching the probe laser every 18 h.     

Photoelectric properties ofp-CuInSe2 thin films obtained by pulsed laser vaporization

Using the method of phase-sensitive detection, we investigated the photoconductivity spectra of polycrystalline p-CuInSe₂ films obtained in vacuum by the method of pulsed laser vaporization of initial single crystals. We show that, in contrast to single crystals, films are characterized by monopolar photoconductivity in the extrinsic and intrinsic regions of optical absorption and by a linear mechanism of recombination of nonequilibrium charge carriers at the intensities of illumination 0–100 mW/cm² in the temperature range 80–300 K. Institute of the Solid-State and Semiconductor Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 17, P. Brovka St., Minsk 220072, Belarus. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii. Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 138–141, January–February, 1999.     

Femtosecond fiber laser based methane optical clock

An optical clock based on an Er³⁺ fiber femtosecond laser and a two-mode He–Ne/CH₄ optical frequency standard (λ=3.39 μm) is realized. Difference-frequency generation is used to down convert the 1.5-μm frequency comb of the Er³⁺ femtosecond laser to the 3.4-μm range. The generated infrared comb overlaps with the He–Ne/CH₄ laser wavelength and does not depend on the carrier–envelope offset frequency of the 1.5-μm comb. In this way a direct phase-coherent connection between the optical frequency of the He–Ne/CH₄ standard and the radio frequency pulse repetition rate of the fiber laser is established. The stability of the optical clock is measured against a commercial hydrogen maser. The measured relative instability is 1×10⁻¹² at 1 s and for averaging times less than 50 s it is determined by the microwave standard, while for longer times a drift of the He–Ne/CH₄ optical standard is dominant.     

Contribution of the tensor component to the light shift of the rf optical microwave resonance frequency in rubidium vapor

We have calculated the tensor component of the light shift for the frequency of the rf optical microwave resonance on the magnetically independen 0−0 and 1, −1 transitions in rubidium-87 atoms under conditions of isotope filtering of the resonant pump light. We have observed a difference between the temperatures of the filter cell at which a zero frequency shift is achieved for the rf optical resonance for these transitions. We have noted that selective optical pumping on theD ₁ lines is advisable when using a two-photon microwave transition in rubidium vapor in applications. St. Petersburg State Technical University, St. Petersburg. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 86–90, February, 1999.     

Fluorescence and absorption of polystyrene exposed to UV laser radiation

We show that when polystyrene is exposed (for 15–60 sec) to a UV laser light beam (λ = 248 nm), its absorption and luminescent properties change significantly. In the irradiated polymer, optical centers are formed with absorption bands in the 280–460 nm region and fluorescence bands in the 330–520 nm region. We have established the chemical structure of the optical centers for fluorescence of polystyrene. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 54–58, January–February, 2006.     

Optical fibers with interferometric path length stability by controlled heating for transmission of optical signals and as components in frequency standards

We present a simple method to stabilize the optical path length of an optical fiber to an accuracy of about 1/100 of the laser wavelength. We study the dynamic response of the path length to modulation of an electrically conductive heater layer of the fiber. The path length is measured against the laser wavelength by use of the Pound–Drever–Hall method; negative feedback is applied via the heater. We apply the method in the context of a cryogenic resonator frequency standard. PACS 42.81.Wg; 07.07.Mp; 07.07.Tw     

Angular structure of laser radiation in a Markov binary mixture

Laser-radiation transfer in a Markov binary mixture is compared to transfer in an equivalent homogeneous medium. Within the framework of a small-angle approximation a system of equations that describe the angular moments of the second order (angular dispersion) for a laser beam and the equation for laser-beam intensity is obtained. The results of the calculations show a significant effect of the stochastic nature of the medium on the intensity and the angular structure of the laser beam. Deceased Institute of Applied Optics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 11, Belynitskii-Birulya St., Mogilev, 272793. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 36–42, January–February, 1999.     

A study of the optical absorption induced in vacuum thermolysis of aluminum trihydroxide

The diffuse reflection spectroscopy technique was used to investigate the color centers (CC) in the products of thermolysis and photolysis of disperse Al(OH)₃ in a vacuum. The spectra were recorded in situ in the region of 2.5–6.0 eV and 4000–12,000 cm⁻¹. It was found that in thermolysis of Al(OH₃) production of Al is accompanied, by transformation of the IR spectra of the compound and overtone vibrations of OH groups and by the appearance of an absorption band (AB) at 4.0 eV with a shoulder at 4.4 eV. A similar AB is induced by UV irradiation of Al(OH)₃ in a vacuum. In the position of the maximum and shape, the AB at 4.0 eV in aluminum oxide produced by thermolysis of Al(OH)₃ coincides with the AB of CC responsible for light- and temperature-stimulated degradation of white anode oxide coatings on Al(Al-AOC). This suggests that in Al-AOC, CC are formed in decay of structural O_mH_n groups. In Al oxide and in Al-AOC, their nature is discussed with the use of data on optical absorption of radiation-induced defects in Al₂O₃. Research Institute of Physics at St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 1, Ul’yanovskaya St., Petrodvorets St. Petersburg, 198904, Russia. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 65, No. 3, pp. 400–404, May–June, 1998.     

A series of free exciton lines in zinc diarsenide

A structure corresponding to the n=1, 2, and 3 free-exciton states is observed in the optical transmission spectra of zinc diarsenide at 5 K. The band gap for E⊥C at temperatures of 5–300 K and the exciton binding energy (17.5 eV) are determined. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 877–878 (May 1998)     

Influence of isovalent substitutions on absorption spectra of orthoferrities

The role of impurity ions in formation of the optical properties of rare-earth orthoferrites is investigated. Optical spectra of the substituted against unsubstituted orthoferrites are presented. The influence of different isovalent substitutions on the optical absorption of orthoferrites that are promising for magnetooptics is studied. Institute of Solid-State and Semiconductor Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 17, P. Brovka St., Minsk, 220072, Belarus. Translated from zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 5, pp. 642–645, September–October, 1997.     

Numerical model for pulsations in polarization of emission from a laser with an anisotropic cavity when initiated in a magnetic field

Based on equations for the evolution of the polarization density matrix for laser emission, we have shown that when a laser with an anisotropic cavity is turned on in a magnetic field higher than some critical value, we will observe a new optical effect: pulsations between the polarized and completely unpolarized states of the laser emission. In a magnetic field much higher than the critical value, practically complete suppression of polarization occurs, which may serve as a method for obtaining unpolarized laser emission. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 1, pp. 134–142, January–February, 2008.     

Widely-wavelength-tunable few-cycle optical pulse generation from an all-fiber erbium-doped laser system

A scheme for the construction of fiber laser systems for the generation of tunable ultrashort optical pulses is proposed. The scheme is based on the self-Raman shift of the soliton frequency in dispersion-decreasing fibers with the subsequent spectral broadening owing to the supercontinuum generation in a short highly nonlinear fiber and the compression in the corresponding fiber compressor. An all-fiber laser system for the generation of ultrashort laser pulses in the wavelength range 1.6–2.0 μm is experimentally demonstrated. In particular, the shortest pulses with a duration of 24 fs are generated at wavelengths of 1.8–1.9 μm, which corresponds to less than four optical cycles.     

Formation of conical microstructures upon laser evaporation of solids

The formation and development of the large-scale periodic structures on a single crystal Si surface are studied upon its evaporation by pulsed radiation of a copper vapor laser (wavelength of 510.6 nm, pulse duration of 20 ns). The development of structures occurs at a high number of laser shots (∼10⁴) at laser fluence of 1–2 J/cm² below optical breakdown in a wide pressure range of surrounding atmosphere from 1 to 10⁵ Pa. The structures are cones with angles of 25, which grow towards the laser beam and protrude above the initial surface for 20–30 μm. It is suggested that the spatial period of the structures (10–20 μm) is determined by the capillary waves period on the molten surface. The X-ray diffractometry reveals that the modified area of the Si substrate has a polycrystalline structure and consists of Si nanoparticles with a size of 40–70 nm, depending on the pressure of surrounding gas. Similar structures are also observed on Ge and Ti. Received: 12 February 2000 / Accepted: 28 March 2000 / Published online: 20 June 2001     

Optical frequency counter based on two mode-locked fiber laser combs

This work demonstrates a semi-automatic optical frequency counter based on two mode-locked fiber laser combs. The mode number of the comb line involved in the optical frequency measurement is determined by operating the two laser combs at three different repetition rates, with two of them similar enough to have the same mode number of the beating comb lines. The determination of the mode number is independent of the frequency fluctuation of the laser under measurement. The whole measurement process was automated, except for the frequency stabilization of the laser combs and the optimization of the beat signal–to–noise ratio.     

Yb-doped strictly all-fiber laser actively Q-switched by intermodal acousto-optic modulation

We show an actively Q-switched ytterbium-doped strictly all-fiber laser. Cavity loss modulation is achieved in a tapered optical fiber by core-to-cladding mode-coupling induced by travelling flexural acoustic waves. When the acoustical signal is switched-off, the optical power losses within the cavity are reduced, and then a laser pulse is emitted. Trains of Q-switched pulses were successfully obtained at repetition rates in the range 1–10 kHz, with pump powers between 59 and 88 mW, at the optical wavelength of 1064.1 nm. Best results were for laser pulses of 118 mW peak power, 1.8 μs of time width, with a pump power of 79 mW, at 7 kHz repetition rate.     

Optimization of a magnetic-resonance signal under conditions of an unresolved radiofrequency spectrum of alkali atoms

The conditions for optimization of the regimes of optical pumping in optically oriented alkali atoms under total overlap of the components of low-frequency Zeeman and multiphoton shf resonances in the ground state are considered. The difference in the contribution of the light of pumping by the D₁ line to the rates of longitudinal and transverse relaxation is shown in terms of a two-level model of rubidium and cesium atoms, and values of the optimum pumping rate corresponding to the maximum of the quality factor of the recorded signal have been calculated. Experimental estimation of the relaxation rates was made by the signal of low-frequency Zeeman resonance in optically oriented rubidium and cesium atoms under conditions of homogeneous and inhomogeneous magnetic fields. It is shown that in pumping by the D₁ line from a lamp source and with balance of the dark times of the longitudinal and transverse relaxation the optimum pumping rate differs significantly from its values known from the literature. St. Petersburg State Technical University, 29, Politekhnicheskaya St., St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 71–75, January–February, 1997.     

Exciton luminescence of Cd1−x FexTe solid solutions

Band-edge optical spectra of Cd_1−x Fe_xTe solid solutions differ substantially from those of undoped CdTe. The pattern of the change in photoluminescence spectra with increasing Fe concentration is connected with a change in radiative recombination channels. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 897–899 (May 1998)     

Optical exciton Stark effect and quantum beats at exciton quasienergy levels in quantum wells

The optical Stark effect and quantum beats in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well are investigated theoretically for the case when the first two electron size-quantization levels are mixed dynamically by a high-intensity CO₂ laser pulse polarized perpendicular to the plane of the quantum well. The quasienergy spectrum of heavy-hole excitons and the ratio between the probabilities of exciton transition with and without a strong electromagnetic field are obtained. The time-dependent intensity of absorption of the sensing light is determined. It exhibits quantum beats at twice the electron Rabi frequency. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 1291–1294 (July 1997)     

Optical pumping in an RF cooler buncher

The use of optical pumping in an RF linear Paul trap is shown to permit efficient collinear laser spectroscopy in systems where atomic ground state resonance lines are ill-suited to the fast beam technique. The case of yttrium, where laser spectroscopy has been used to study ^{86–90,92–102}Y and isomeric states of ^{87–90,93,96,97,98}Y, is highlighted.     

Propagation of a Laguerre–Gaussian beam through a slightly misaligned paraxial optical system

Based on the generalized diffraction integral formula for treating the propagation of a laser beam through a slightly misaligned optical system in a cylindrical coordinate system, an analytical formula for a Laguerre–Gaussian beam passing through such an optical system is derived. Furthermore, an approximate analytical formula is derived for a Laguerre–Gaussian beam passing through an apertured slightly misaligned optical system by expanding the hard aperture function as a finite sum of complex Gaussian functions. Some analytical formulas are also given for a flattened Gaussian beam by expanding its field as a superposition of a finite series of Laguerre–Gaussian beams. PACS 42.25.Bs; 41.85.Ew; 41.85.Ct