Self-trapped excitons in silicon dioxide: mechanism and properties

Irradiating silica produces self-trapped excitons (STEs) that spontaneously create atomic-scale distortions on which they localize themselves. Despite enduring interest in STEs and subsequent defects in this key technological material, the trapping mechanism and geometry remain a mystery. Our ab initio study of STEs in alpha-quartz using a many-electron Green's function approach answers both questions. The STE comprises a broken O-Si bond with the hole localized on the defected oxygen and the electron on the defected silicon atom in a planar sp2 conformation. The results further explain quantitatively the measured STE spectra.     

Evolution of Anion and Cation Excitons in Alkali Halide Crystals

The manifestations of the existence of free anion excitons, the processes of their self-trapping, and the coexistence of mobile and self-trapped excitons (STEs) in wide-gap alkali halide crystals are reviewed. The radiative channel of decay of anion excitons, yielding luminescence, and a particular type of nonradiative channel with the creation of elementary Frenkel defects (FDs) are considered. We analyzed the criteria for the efficiency of this channel for defect formation, possible mechanisms for the decay of self-trapped excitons with the production of neutral and charged anion Frenkel defects, and the processes of multiplication of electronic excitations in alkali halide crystals. Particular attention is paid to the decay of cation excitons, including from the point of view of the possibility of the low-temperature creation of elementary Frenkel defects in the cation sublattice of alkali halide crystals.     

Bound states of solitons in a fiber laser mode locked with carbon nanotube saturable absorber

We report on the experimental observation of bound states of solitons in an erbium-doped fiber laser passively mode-locked by the carbon nanotube saturable absorber. Bound states of solitons with various pulse separations are obtained. While the tightly bound solitons always exhibit the same set of fixed discrete pulse separations with π or π/2 phase difference, the feature becomes less obvious for the loosely bound solitons. The result that various states of the bound solitons were obtained in the same fiber laser makes a systematic experimental study on them and a comparison of their properties possible. Our results once again show that the bound soliton emission is an intrinsic feature of the mode-locked soliton fiber lasers.     

Interaction of parabolic-shaped pulse pair in a passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser

We numerically investigate the formation and interaction of parabolic-shaped pulse pair in a passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser. Based on a lumped model, the parabolic-shaped pulse pair is obtained by controlling the inter-cavity average dispersion and gain saturation energy, Moreover, pulse repulsive and attractive motion are also achieved with different pulse separations. Simulation results show that the phase shift plays an important role in pulse interaction, and the interaction is determined by the inter-cavity average dispersion and gain saturation energy, i.e., the strength of the interaction is proportional to the gain saturation energy, the stronger gain saturation energy will result in higher interaction intensity. On the contrary, the increase of the inter-cavity dispersion will counterbalance some interaction force. The results also show that the interaction of a parabolic-shaped pulse pair has a larger interaction distance compare to the conventional solitons.     

Interaction of a parabolic-shaped pulse pair in a passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser

We numerically investigate the formation and interaction of a parabolic-shaped pulse pair in a passively mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser. Based on a lumped model, the parabolic-shaped pulse pair is obtained by controlling the intercavity average dispersion and gain saturation energy, Moreover, pulse repulsive and attractive motion are also achieved with different pulse separations. Simulation results show that the phase shift plays an important role in pulse interaction, and the interaction is determined by the inter-cavity average dispersion and gain saturation energy, i.e., the strength of the interaction is proportional to the gain saturation energy, a stronger gain saturation energy will result in a higher interaction intensity. On the contrary, the increase of the inter-cavity dispersion will counterbalance some interaction force. The results also show that the interaction of a parabolic-shaped pulse pair has a larger interaction distance compared to conventional solitons.     

Investigation of laser-induced defect formation in CdTe crystals by Rutherford backscattering

Rutherford backscattering has been used to study defect formation processes in a CdTe surface layer exposed to pulsed laser radiation. It was established that scattering centers are formed only at laser pulse energies exceeding the melting threshold of the surface. The spatial distributions of Cd and Te and of structural defects in the irradiated layer were determined. The data are interpreted assuming intensive evaporation of one of the components (Cd). Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 209–211 (February 1998)     

Luminescence spectroscopy of excitons and antisite defects in Lu3Al5O12 single crystals and single-crystal films

The nature of the intrinsic luminescence of the lutetium aluminum garnet Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ (LuAG) has been analyzed on the basis of time-resolved spectral kinetic investigations upon excitation of two model objects, LuAG single crystals and single-crystal films, by pulsed X-ray and synchrotron radiations. Due to the differences in the mechanisms and methods of crystallization, these objects are characterized by significantly different concentrations of Lu_Al antisite defects. The energy structure of luminescence centers in LuAG single crystals (self-trapped excitons (STEs), excitons localized near antisite defects, and Lu_Al antisite defects) has been established. For single-crystal LuAG films, grown by liquid-phase epitaxy from a Pb-containing flux, the energy parameters of the following luminescence centers have been determined: STEs in regular (unperturbed by the presence of antisite defects) sites of the garnet lattice and excitons localized near Pb²⁺ ions. The structure of the luminescence centers, related to the background emission of impurity Pb²⁺ ions, has also been established in the UV and visible ranges. It is suggested that, in contrast to the two-halide hole self-trapping, a self-trapped state similar to STEs in simple oxides (Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃) is formed in LuAG; this state is formed by self-trapped holes in the form of singly charged O^? ions and electrons localized at excited levels of Lu³⁺ cations.     

Ultrafast time-resolved photography of femtosecond laser induced modifications in BK7 glass and fused silica

The dynamics of absorption after excitation of fused silica and BK7 glass with femtosecond laser radiation are visualized by transient absorption spectroscopy. Focusing laser radiation with pulse durations in the picosecond time regime in BK7 glass generates free electrons with relaxation by emission of radiation or by formation of defects. The temporal and spatial emission characteristics are observed by high-speed photography in the streak mode. The beam waist moves within the pulse duration towards the incoming laser radiation by self-focusing and with the laser radiation absorbed by multi-photon processes. The dynamics of the long lasting stress formation is visualized by time-resolved Nomarski-Photography. The modification of the glass is investigated during and after irradiation with ultra-short pulsed laser radiation (100 fs<t_p<3 ps) at the wavelength =810 nm. The formation of a sound wave in fused silica and BK7 glass is observed and the mechanical stress, depending on the excitation pulse duration, is measured. PACS 06.60.Jn; 42.50.Md; 78.47.-p; 81.16.-c; 82.53.-k     

Measurement of atomic lifetimes with a mode-locked laser

We present a new technique for measuring atomic lifetimes with a mode-locked laser. A single laser pulse excites the atoms and a subsequent frequency-doubled pulse ionizes the excited-state atoms. The ions are collected and counted. The measurement is repeated using excitation and detection pulses with different time separations, which determines the excited-state decay rate. We demonstrated this technique for the 6P(3/2) state of cesium. The measured lifetime was 30.5 ns and had a statistical uncertainty of 0.1 ns. Systematic effects limited the overall experimental uncertainty to approximately 0.6 ns in this initial experiment.     

Phase-locked soliton pairs in a stretched-pulse fiber laser

We report the experimental observation of stable pulse pairs with a +/-pi/2 phase difference in a passively mode-locked stretched-pulse fiber ring laser. In our setup the stabilization of interacting subpicosecond pulses is obtained with a large range of pulse separations, namely, from 2.7 to 10 ps, without the need for external control.     

Investigation of soliton pairs in an erbium-doped fiber laser with large normal dispersion

We experimentally investigate the soliton pairs in a passively mode-locked erbium-doped fiber laser with large normal cavity dispersion. By adjusting the polarization state, four different kinds of soliton pairs are achieved. The pulses in soliton pairs exhibit different temporal separations, and show randomly distributed spikes on the top-flat of spectra. The pulse-pulse interactions in the soliton pairs are investigated, and it is suggested that the pulse separation, pulse duration, and their relative intensities all determine the strength of pulse interactions.     

Size distribution control of metal nanoparticles using femtosecond laser pulse train: a molecular dynamics simulation

Microscopic mechanisms and optimization of metal nanoparticle size distribution control using femtosecond laser pulse trains are studied by molecular dynamics simulations combined with the two-temperature model. Various pulse train designs, including subpulse numbers, separations, and energy distributions are compared, which demonstrate that the minimal mean nanoparticle sizes are achieved at the maximal subpulse numbers with uniform energy distributions. Femtosecond laser pulse trains significantly alter the film thermodynamical properties, adjust the film phase change mechanisms, and hence control the nanoparticle size distributions. As subpulse numbers and separations increase, alternation of film thermodynamical properties suppresses phase explosion, favors critical point phase separation, and significantly reduces mean nanoparticle size distributions. Correspondingly, the relative ratio of two phase change mechanisms causes two distinct nanoparticle size control regimes, where phase explosion leads to strong nanoparticle size control, and increasing ratio of critical point phase separation leads to gentle nanoparticles size control.     

Excitation of self-trapped-exciton luminescence in the recombination of frenkel defects in BeO

Polarized luminescence and transient optical absorption (TOA) induced by pulsed electron irradiation in beryllium oxide crystals were studied. Exponential stages with decay times τ = 6.5 ms were observed to exist in luminescence bands at 4.0, 5.0, and 6.7 eV, which coincide in spectral composition and polarization characteristics with the luminescence of self-trapped excitons (STEs) of two types. The formation efficiency of centers with a 6.5-ms decay time is comparable to that of triplet STEs. The general characteristics of the kinetics and the decay times of the TOA of these centers do not depend on electron fluence and are governed by the monomolecular recombination process. The spectra of TOA centers with a decay time of 6.5 ms were found to be similar to those of V-type hole centers and STE hole components. The mechanism by which recombination of closely spaced, spatially correlated Frenkel pairs, Be⁺ and V^? centers, brings about an exponential component with a 6.5-ms decay time in the luminescence of STEs of two types in BeO is discussed.     

Multipulse bound solitons with fixed pulse separations formed by direct soliton interaction

We present experimental evidence of multipulse bound solitons with fixed pulse separations in a dispersion-managed passively mode-locked fiber ring laser. The bound solitons are formed by the direct soliton interaction and are strongly stable. Although formed under different experimental conditions, various multipulse bound solitons were found to have exactly the same fixed pulse separations. Bound states of the multipulse bound solitons were also experimentally obtained, which suggest that the multipulse in a bound soliton behaves as a unit. They together could be treated as a new form of soliton. PACS 42.81.Dp; 42.55.Wd; 42.60.Fc     

Femtosecond laser ablation of silver foil with single and double pulses

The average ablation depth per pulse of silver foil by 130 fs laser pulses has been measured in vacuum over a range of three orders of magnitude of pulse fluence up to 900 J cm⁻². In addition, double pulses with separations up to 3.4 ns have been used to probe time scales of relevance for femtosecond ablation. The double pulse ablation depth, when each pulse fluence is 0.7 J cm⁻², falls to that of a single pulse as the pulse separation is increased from 0 ps to 700 ps. This time scale decreases to only 4 ps as the fluence is increased to 11 J cm⁻². It then jumps to 500 ps across a transition fluence where the slope of the ablation depth versus logarithmic fluence characteristic changes abruptly to a higher value. In addition, for pulse separations near 1000 ps, the second pulse can cause re-deposition of ejecta from the first pulse resulting in a double pulse ablation depth only 40% that of the first pulse alone. This has important implications for the interpretation of double pulse femto-LIBS intensities. Our results suggest that the optical properties of nano or mesoparticles play a significant role in double pulse ablation with large pulse separations.     

Nonlinear photoionization in the soft X-ray regime

We present the results of 800 and 400 nm wavelength, femtosecond laser pulse irradiation of a sample consisting of a metal film on thermally-grown oxide on silicon. On selected sites, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy was performed to provide information on sub-surface changes not observable with surface scanning electron microscopy. A range of pulse energies in single-pulse irradiation exists for which the metal film was removed but the oxide was not appreciably thinned. For a sufficiently high pulse energy within this range, substantial defects were observed in the underlying silicon. Five infrared pulses of a relatively high fluence created significant defects, as well as producing polycrystalline material on top of the original oxide and metal. We discuss various factors which may play a role in the formation of the observed features. PACS 61.72.Ff; 68.37.Lp; 79.20.Ds     

Dye laser multipass amplifier system

A system is described for producing high power, narrow bandwidth pulses by injecting electro-optically a dye laser pulse to a multipass flashlamp pumped amplifier cavity. Pulses of 280 MHz bandwidth have been generated with peak powers of 100 kW at 5 Hz repetition rate. A simple modification allows 300 ns long pulse trains to be obtained with pulse separations determined by the round trip time of the cavity.     

Regimes of operation states in passively mode-locked fiber soliton ring laser

The principal of passively mode-locked fiber soliton ring lasers is summarized, including its three output operation states: normal soliton, bound–solitons and noise-like pulse. The experimental results of the passively mode-locked fiber soliton ring lasers developed by us are given. Bound–solitons with different discrete separations and three-bound–solitons state have been observed in our fiber laser for the first time. The relationship among three operation states in fiber soliton laser is analyzed.     

Ultrafast time-resolved imaging of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures on GaAs

We report the formation dynamics of periodic ripples on Ga As induced by femtosecond laser pulses（800 nm, 50 fs） via a collinear time-resolved imaging technique with a temporal resolution of 1 ps and a spatial resolution of 440 nm. The onset of periodic ripples emerges in the initial tens of picoseconds in the timescale of material ejection. The periodic ripples appear after irradiation of at least two pump pulses at surface defects produced by the first pulse and the ripple positions kept stable until the formation processes complete. The formation mechanisms of laser-induced periodic ripples are also discussed.     

Binding widely-separated pulses with a passively mode-locked Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

We have investigated the generation of widely-separated bound pulses with a high power passively mode-locked Yb-doped double clad fiber laser. We report on the emission of bound pulses of 5 ps whose separation can exceed 180 ps. Pulses are further compressed extra-cavity to 140 fs, leading to pulse separations that can reach approximately 1300 pulse widths, while pulses remain bound. Scenarios leading to these regimes are detailed. RF analysis shows an important reduction of the amplitude noise of the laser when pulses bind together. Finally, we report on a new regime of multiple pulse emission of this fiber laser: stable co-emission of a single-pulse and a pair of bound pulses in the same cavity round trip. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.65.Re