Optimisation of laser linewidth and cavity alignment in off-axis cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy

Laser linewidth affects baseline mode structured variations and hence measurement absorption sensitivity in off-axis cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a continuous-wave tunable laser and a stable optical cavity formed by two high reflectivity mirrors. Cavity transmittances have been calculated for various laser linewidths and different optical beam re-entrant conditions for the cavity when overlapping of the optical beams occurs on the cavity mirrors after a finite number of beam round trips within the cavity. It is shown that in order to achieve maximum absorption sensitivity both a specific laser linewidth and specific arrangement of the optical cavity have to be selected and defined using the proposed approach.     

Infrared laser-spectroscopic analysis of <Superscript>14</Superscript>NO and <Superscript>15</Superscript>NO in human breath

We report on monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) traces in human breath via infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy. Using a CO sideband laser near 5 μm wavelength and an optical cavity with two high-reflectivity mirrors (R=99.98%), the minimum detectable absorption is 2×10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹ Hz^1/2. This allows for spectroscopic analysis of rare NO isotopologues with unprecedented sensitivity. Application to simultaneous online detection of ¹⁴NO and ¹⁵NO in breath samples collected in the nasal cavity is described for the first time. We achieved a noise-equivalent detection limit of 7 parts per trillion for nasal ¹⁵NO (integration time: 70 s).     

基于便携式柱面镜多通池的二氧化碳高灵敏度探测研究

二氧化碳作为大气中重要的温室气体，与气候变化和人类活动密切相关，因此对其浓度的探测具有重要意义。利用近红外可调谐二极管激光器结合自主设计的便携式小型化柱面镜光学多通吸收池，实现了二氧化碳气体的高灵敏探测。通过Matlab编写光线传输矩阵，优化设计了基于柱面镜的光学多通吸收池，相比于传统Herriott型多通池，具有腔镜利用面积高、在相同体积内可实现有效光程长等特点，在物理基长为15 cm的情况下，实现了14 m的有效光程。实验中使用中心波长为1.57 μm的DFB二极管激光器，采用直接吸收光谱方法对CO₂气体进行了探测研究，并用Allan方差对系统性能进行了分析。结果表明，在平均时间为5 s时，系统的探测灵敏度为33.1 μL·L-1，平均时间为235 s时，系统的探测灵敏度可达到5.3 μL·L-1。此外，利用该系统实现了大气中CO₂的探测，得到大气中的CO₂浓度为383.4 μL·L-1。基于柱面镜多通池搭建的可调谐激光吸收光谱(TDLAS)系统，结合了柱面镜多通池可在小体积内实现长光程和可调谐激光吸收光谱技术高灵敏度、高分辨率、快速响应的优点，大大减小了系统体积，提高了系统探测灵敏度，在气体探测领域有广泛的应用。     

Gain versus tuning issues to Q-switch with Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:LSO and amplify broad-bandwidth pulses

We report on the development of Incoherent Broadband Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (IBBCEAS) using a blue light emitting diode (LED) for the detection of NO₂ in laboratory ambient air. Absorption of the oxygen collisional pair in the atmosphere was also detected in the same spectral range. The mirror reflectivity was determined using a standard gas sample mixture of NO₂, and calibrated with the help of the absorption spectrum of the oxygen collisional pair in pure oxygen at atmospheric pressure. Optimization of the experimental parameters was investigated and is discussed in detail. For the first time in IBBCEAS involving broadband absorption spectra, averaging time for signal-to-noise ratio enhancement has been optimized using Allan variance plot. 18.1 ppbv NO₂ in laboratory ambient air has been retrieved from the absorption spectra using differential fitting method over a 40 nm spectral region centered at 470 nm. A minimum detection sensitivity of about 2.2 ppbv (1σ) for NO₂ at atmospheric pressure has been achieved using the optimal averaging time of 100 s by means of a high finesse optical cavity formed with two moderate reflectivity (∼99.55%) mirrors. No purging of the cavity mirrors by high purity He or N₂ gas streams was necessary to prevent contamination of the mirror faces for the in situ measurements.     

Folded diffractive laser resonators with user-defined fundamental mode

The adjustment effort required for the alignment of laser resonators with arbitrarily shaped end mirrors can be significantly reduced by folding the resonator path half-way between the two end mirrors and by slightly tilting the resonator axis. Thus the resulting resonator consists only of one diffractive mirror and a plane mirror, and the separate alignment of both diffractive end mirrors with respect to each other can be avoided. This principle is demonstrated by a Nd:YAG laser with super-Gaussian output beam. Furthermore, it is shown theoretically that the influence of phase quantization effects on the beam quality can be strongly reduced as a consequence of the tilted resonator axis.     

Very long optical path-length from a compact multi-pass cell

The multiple-pass optical cell is an important tool for laser absorption spectroscopy and its many applications. For most practical applications, such as trace-gas detection, a compact and robust design is essential. Here, we report an investigation into a multi-pass cell design based on a pair of cylindrical mirrors, with a particular focus on achieving very long optical paths. We demonstrate a path-length of 50.31 m in a cell with 40 mm diameter mirrors spaced 88.9 mm apart—a 3-fold increase over the previously reported longest path-length obtained with this type of cell configuration. We characterize the mechanical stability of the cell and describe the practical conditions necessary to achieve very long path-lengths.     

Multipass optical cell based upon two cylindrical mirrors for tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

A compact multipass optical cell based upon a front cylindrical mirror with a central input/output hole and a rear cylindrical mirror is described for application to tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. Rotation of the rear cylindrical mirror and small variations of the cell base length (∼110 mm) have been used to achieve different spot patterns and path lengths. CO₂ and CH₄ direct absorption measurements using the developed cell with a fibre-coupled distributed-feedback laser at 1605.5 nm have been performed. A noise-equivalent absorption sensitivity of 2.5×10^-8 cm^-1 Hz^-1/2 has been determined for 138 passes in the cell and averaging of 2000 consecutive scans within 1.93 s. PACS 42.55.Px; 39.30.+w; 42.62.Fi; 42.60.-v     

CO2的腔增强吸收与高灵敏吸收光谱研究

腔增强吸收光谱(CEAS)是在衰荡吸收光谱的基础上发展起来的一种新型的直接吸收光谱技术.文章报道了用中心输出波长为1.573μm的窄线宽连续可调谐半导体激光器(DFB封装)作光源,用两块高反射率平凹透镜(在1.573μm附近,凹面反射率R～99.4%,曲率半径r～1 m)组成对称共焦腔作吸收池的腔增强吸收光谱系统.采用扫描腔长的方法改变谐振腔的模式,当激光器的输出频率与谐振腔的某一腔模之间满足共振匹配关系时,激光被耦合到谐振腔内,用探测器接收透过谐振腔的光信号,同时用波长计精确测量激光器的输出波长.在33.5 cm长的吸收池内测量了吸收强度为1.816×10-23cm-1·(molecule·cm-2)-1的二氧化碳分子的弱吸收谱线,探测灵敏度达到了6.78×10-7 cm-1.实验结果表明,腔增强吸收光谱具有灵敏度高,装置简单,易于操作等优点.     

光反馈光腔衰荡和脉冲光腔衰荡技术测量腔镜高反射率的对比研究(英文)

基于半导体激光器的光反馈效应,提出了光反馈光腔衰荡技术用于测量腔镜的高反射率。相对于没有光反馈的情况,光腔衰荡信号振幅提高了两个数量级,从而大大提高了高反射率测量精度。在四个衰荡腔长采用光反馈光腔衰荡技术测量得到的腔镜反射率非常一致,统计平均值为99.9356±0.0008%。通过实验比较了光反馈光腔衰荡和脉冲光腔衰荡技术。结果表明,光反馈光腔衰荡技术的测量精度比脉冲光腔衰荡技术高。     

基于微扫描镜的激光投影

利用微机械加工技术制造出一种新型微扫描镜,结合半导体激光器,可用于投影显示.激光器发出的光束被两个分别沿着X轴、Y轴扭转的镜面相继反射,扫描出二维图形.实验测得扫描镜在15 V电压,频率为扫描镜谐振频率2倍的方波信号驱动下,镜子的光学扫描角度达±12°.由于每个镜子都沿各自轴以简谐规律扭转,扫描所得投影为李萨如图形.通...     

The conditions for total reflection of low-energy atoms from crystal surfaces

A single-mode dye laser is described in which a “double Michelson” mode selector is used instead of intracavity Fabry-Perot systems. This simple device gives a lower threshold, a high single-mode power (≳250 mW), and a good geometrical quality of the laser beam. Synchronous pressure scanning of the cavity and the mode selector frequencies makes it possible to continuously sweep the optical frequency over 40 GHz without any difficulty. Another version, in which one mirror of the “double Michelson” has been replaced by a retroreflecting optical grating, is also reported. In this case, no selective element (Lyot filter, wedge, ...) has to be inserted in the laser cavity.     

基于微扫描镜的激光投影

利用微机械加工技术制造出一种新型微扫描镜,结合半导体激光器,可用于投影显示.激光器发出的光束被两个分别沿着X轴、Y轴扭转的镜面相继反射,扫描出二维图形.实验测得扫描镜在15 V电压,频率为扫描镜谐振频率2倍的方波信号驱动下,镜子的光学扫描角度达±12°.由于每个镜子都沿各自轴以简谐规律扭转,扫描所得投影为李萨如图形.通过分析图形的形成原理并用Matlab仿真,选出了适用用于任意图案显示的扫描镜谐振频率组合(X轴2 400 Hz, Y轴2 425 Hz).该组合可以形成194×192个像素点,刷新频率为25 Hz.在此基础上提出了一种通过调制激光开关来进行投影显示的方法.     

改进的Herriott型光学长程池

用凹面反射镜和平面反射镜组成结构简单、光路易调的光多次反射装置,计算了这种光学系统的稳定性条件。考察实际入射光束的直径和发射角,给出了最大反射次数的求法。制成适用于钛宝石激光光声光谱仪的光56次通过的长程池。理论计算的反射光斑分布与实验观测一致。这个技术有利于提高光声光谱和吸收光谱的探测灵敏度。     

532 nm laser based on V-type doubly resonant intra-cavity frequency-doubling

LD side-pumped dual interconnected V-type quasi-continuous wave green laser has been demonstrated. The two Nd:YAG modules were placed in a plane-concave V-type resonator and a plane-concave straight cavity formed two stable operation beam of the 1064-nm fundamental frequency laser. Through acousto-optic Q-switched and frequency doubling crystal, two double-frequency laser beams arrived at the folded flat mirror, which were unidirectional output by the folded flat mirror at the end. As the pumped current was 50 A, the 532 nm green laser maximum average output power of 206 W at a repetition of 22.4 kHz was achieved with a pulse width of 201 ns and the largest single pulse energy of 9.2 mJ, corresponding to a peak power of 45.8 kW and a double frequency efficiency of 60.2%.     

测量大口径光学元件反射率用精密扫描系统误差分析

为测量高能激光传输系统中大口径高反射率光学元件的反射率,设计了一种大口径光学元件二维扫描的精密测量系统。介绍了该系统的结构及其工作原理,分析了影响系统测量精度的因素,从理论上分析了扫描系统的系统误差对测量精度的影响,结果表明在垂直于光束传播方向上,水平偏差在0.29 mm时,测量误差在10-6量级;腔长的变化量较小时,可通过对衰荡腔腔镜的调节,实现对旋转轴偏差的补偿及对系统的精细调节。通过拟合处理光强与时间的数据得到对应的一次指数函数拟合曲线,并通过计算得到衰荡时间和反射率,经过对比分析可知,该误差分析方法能比较有效地测量腔镜的反射率,并能减小实验数据本身带来的误差。     

Study on the possibilities of controlling the laser output beam properties by an intracavity deformable mirror

The possibilities of controlling the laser beam properties by a deformable mirror introduced into the laser optical cavity were studied theoretically and experimentally. The experiments were performed under conditions of an industrial high power transverse flow cw CO₂ laser operating with a stable resonator of a folded configuration. A deformable bimorph mirror of a surface profile controlled by the voltage applied to the mirror electrodes is implemented to the laser system as a back cavity mirror or as a one of the inner folding mirrors. The near-and far-field characteristics of the laser beam versus the resonator configuration controlled by the changes of the focal length of the deformable mirror are discussed in the paper. The analysis reveals that the resonator with an inner deformable mirror is much more sensitive to the mirror curvature variations than the resonator in which the deformable mirror is used as a back cavity mirror. The presented results show that dynamic and controllable changes in the resonator properties result in the controlled modification and optimisation of the laser output power and spatial parameters of the laser radiation.     

基于扫描激光的腔增强吸收光谱研究

介绍了一种建立在半导体激光扫描基础上的腔增强吸收光谱技术。简要介绍了从衰荡吸收光谱技术向腔增强吸收光谱的发展及腔增强吸收光谱的实验装置,实验证明能够将 DFB 型半导体激光与高精密光学谐振腔相结合,用简单的实验装置进行高灵敏、高分辨直接吸收光谱测量。实验中,激光器的输出波长用一台波长计精确测量,当激光器的输出频率与某一腔模的频率共振时,激光被耦合到一个用两块高反射率平凹透镜(在 1.572μm 附近,R~0.994)组成的 34cm 长的高精密光学谐振腔,通过测量激光透过谐振腔后的光强,得到了二氧化碳分子在6358.654cm-1附近的吸收光谱,探测灵敏度达到了 1.2×10-5cm-1。     

The discovery of nanometer fringes in laser self-mixing interference

We demonstrate the influences of optical feedback from an external mirror with high reflectivity in a He-Ne laser on self-mixing interference fringes and laser polarization states. When the external mirror is tilted to a certain level, the stable and uniform nanometer resolution fringes are generated. The fringe density is 40 times than that of the conventional self-mixing interference or two beam interference, and has still potential to be improved. Each self-mixing interference fringe corresponds to λ/80 displacement of the external mirror, i.e. 7.91 nm displacement of the external mirror. Moreover, when the movement direction of the external mirror is changed, the polarization flipping between two eigenstates will happen. The potential applications of the results are also discussed.     

Threshold and saturation properties of a solid-state XeF (C-A) excimer laser

A dielectric laser cavity of 1 cm length has been optimized for high gain (7 cm^–1) operation which is achieved in XeF doped Ar crystals. Mode structures on the C-A spectral distribution around 540 nm and far field transverse mode patterns are reported. Photchemical gain burning is observed in the spectral mode structures. The dependence of the laser threshold on pump energy, pumped length and on cavity losses is studied. XeF densities of 7×10¹⁷ cm^–3 and distributed losses of 1.2 cm^–1 are derived. The measured quantum efficiency of 14% and the saturation behaviour are consistently described. Losses by transient aborption and two photon absorption are discussed.     

Liquid-cooled ceramic Nd:YAG split-disk amplifier for high-average-power laser

A liquid-cooled ceramic Nd:YAG split-disk laser amplifier has been designed for a high-average-power laser system. The maximum average output power of 17.1 W (1.71 J at 10 Hz) and the beam size of far-field pattern with 1.5 times diffraction limit was obtained. The combination of liquid cooling for disk laser material and wavefront compensation with a phase conjugation mirror was demonstrated. The wavefront degradation by liquid cooling was observed and measured with Michelson interferometer and far-field patterns.