A tunable light source in the 370 nm range based on an optically stabilized,frequency-doubled semiconductor laser

A tunable harmonic output power of 18 W at a wavelength of =370 nm is obtained by resonance-enhanced frequency doubling of an optically-stabilized semiconductor laser. A commercially available AlGaAs laser diode which emits a maximum power of 10 mW at =740 nm is operated in an extended-cavity configuration. Dispersion prisms are used in the extended cavity to obtain longitudinal-mode selection with low loss of optical power. The output is focussed into an optically isolated high-finesse ring resonator which contains a LiIO₃ crystal for second-harmonic generation. One potential application of this laser source is the optical excitation and laser cooling of ytterbium in an ion trap. In a related demonstration experiment, the frequency-doubled diode laser is applied to excite the =369.5 nm ² S _1/2-² P _1/2 transition of ytterbium ions in a hollow-cathode discharge.     

Tailored ablation processing of advanced biomedical hydroxyapatite by femtosecond laser pulses

The micromachining of hydroxyapatite (HAp) is highly important for orthopedics and dentistry, since human bone and teeth consist mainly of HAp. We demonstrate ultrashort Ti:sapphire laser ablation of HAp, using pulse-widths of 50 fs, 500 fs, and 2 ps at a wavelength of 820 nm and at 1 kpps. The crucial medical issue is to preserve the chemical properties of the machined (ablated) surface. If the chemical properties of HAp change, the human bone or tooth cannot re-grow after laser processing. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we observe chemical properties of HAp ablated in air. The HAp is ablated at laser fluences of 3.2 J/cm² (6.4×10¹³ W/cm² at 50 fs), 3.3 J/cm² (6.6×10¹² W/cm² at 500 fs), and 9.6 J/cm² (4.8×10¹² W/cm² at 2 ps), respectively. As a result it is found that the ablated surface is unchanged after laser ablation over the pulse-width range used in this experiment. Received: 7 October 2002 / Accepted: 20 January 2003 / Published online: 28 May 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +81-45/566-1533, E-mail: obara@obara.elec.keio.ac.jp     

Tracking a single fluorescent molecule with a confocal microscope

We consider the problem of tracking a single fluorescent molecule in both two and three dimensions using a confocal laser scanning microscope. An estimate of the position of the molecule is generated from the measured fluorescence signal through the use of parameter estimation theory. This estimate is used in a nonlinear controller designed both to track the position of the molecule and to provide good measurements for use in the estimation algorithm. The performance of the approach is investigated through numerical simulation for molecules undergoing diffusion and directed transport and the capabilities of the controller relative to experimental limitations are discussed.     

Spectroscopic detection of biological NO with a quantum cascade laser

Two configurations of a continuous wave quantum cascade distributed feedback laser-based gas sensor for the detection of NO at a parts per billion (ppb) concentration level, typical of biomedical applications, have been investigated. The laser was operated at liquid nitrogen temperature near λ=5.2 μm. In the first configuration, a 100 m optical path length multi-pass cell was employed to enhance the NO absorption. In the second configuration, a technique based on cavity-enhanced spectroscopy (CES) was utilized, with an effective path length of 670 m. Both sensors enabled simultaneous analysis of NO and CO₂ concentrations in exhaled air. The minimum detectable NO concentration was found to be 3 ppb with a multi-pass cell and 16 ppb when using CES. The two techniques are compared, and potential future developments are discussed. Received: 1 November 2000 / Revised version: 19 January 2001 / Published online: 20 April 2001     

Tunable frequency-controlled laser source in the near ultraviolet based on doubling of a semiconductor diode laser

Continuously tunable ultraviolet laser radiation at 397 nm was generated by doubling the output of a semiconductor diode laser. The fundamental radiation was provided by a 150 mW AlGaAs laser diode injected by a low-power AlGaAs laser diode which was frequency stabilized by optical feedback using a new scheme of a miniature external cavity. Second-harmonic generation was produced in a lithium-triborate crystal placed in a compact enhancement cavity. The fundamental radiation was used for sub-Doppler spectroscopy of the Ar I 4s ³ P ⁰ ₀–4p ¹ P ₁ transition at 795 nm; the second-harmonic radiation was used for spectroscopy of the Ca II 4² S _1/2–4² P _1/2 transition at 397 nm.     

Second harmonic generation polarization microscopy with tightly focused linearly and radially polarized beams

Second harmonic generation microscopy was conducted on rat-tail tendons with linearly and radially polarized beams. Transverse and axial field components were generated in the focal region through tight focusing of linearly and radially polarized. It was found that the generated SHG signals could not be qualitatively explained with a scalar approximation to the electric field at the focus. Only by accounting for the interactions of the axial and transverse components of the electric field interacting through the nonlinear susceptibility χ⁽²⁾ tensor could the SHG images be explained. For the case of collagen we find that the SHG signal varies as a function of the analyzer angle with a cos² or sin² dependency for linearly polarized beams. For tightly focused radially polarized beams we find that the output SHG is radially polarized after collimation and is independent of the analyzer angle.     

Broadly tunable difference-frequency spectrometer for trace gas detection with noncollinear critical phase-matching in LiNbO3

3 is reported. Using an external cavity diode laser, tunable from 795 to 825 nm, and a cw diode-pumped Nd:YAG ring laser at 1064 nm, we produced narrowband mid-ir laser light between 3.16 and 3.67 μm. This broad tuning range of 440 cm^-1 can be critically phase-matched by changing the external crystal angle within a range of only 0.4°. Even for a fixed crystal angle broadband phase-matching over 230 cm^-1 was achieved. No realignment was required when tuning the laser over the whole wavelength range, which enabled the use of a compact 36-m multipass cell as gas chamber. The conversion efficiency could be improved by almost a factor of 3 by applying noncollinear instead of collinear phase-matching, resulting in 30 nW of idler power with good beam quality. Spectra of methane were recorded in laboratory air, which demonstrate the rapid and continuous broad tunability at high sensitivity, enabling sub-ppm detection. Finally, wavelength modulation spectroscopy at high resolution was applied as a promising tool for further inproving the performance of this laser spectrometer. Received: 16 March 1998/Revised version: 1 July 1998     

Observation of iodine transitions using the second and third harmonics of a 1.5-μm laser

This paper presents spectroscopic measurements of iodine at 778 nm and 518 nm performed by second and third harmonics of a 1.5-μm diode laser, generated by quasi-phase matching in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. Sub-Doppler spectroscopy by a 780-nm source was also demonstrated, and shows the potential of the system to reach high levels of frequency stability by locking the laser to the iodine transitions. The suggested method significantly improves the number of frequency references available for stabilizing 1550-nm lasers. Received: 4 February 2002 / Revised version: 14 May 2002 / Published online: 8 August 2002     

13CO2/12CO2 isotopic ratio measurements using a difference frequency-based sensor operating at 4.35 micrometers

A portable modular gas sensor for measuring the ¹³C/¹²C isotopic ratio in CO₂ with a precision of 0.8‰(±1σ) was developed for volcanic gas emission studies. This sensor employed a difference frequency generation (DFG)-based spectroscopic source operating at 4.35 μm (∼2300 cm^-1) in combination with a dual-chamber gas absorption cell. Direct absorption spectroscopy using this specially designed cell permitted rapid comparisons of isotopic ratios of a gas sample and a reference standard for appropriately selected CO₂ absorption lines. Special attention was given to minimizing undesirable precision degrading effects, in particular temperature and pressure fluctuations. Received: 16 April 2002 / Revised version: 28 May 2002 / Published online: 21 August 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-713/5245237, E-mail: fkt@rice.edu     

Supercontinuum extending from > 1000 to 250 nm, generated by focusing ten-fs laser pulses at 805 nm into Ar

Ten femtosecond pulses at 805 nm with energy up to 1 mJ were produced by self-phase modulation of 45-fs pulses in Ar at atmospheric pressure and subsequent compression by chirped mirrors. Focusing part of this radiation again into Ar at atmospheric pressure generates a single filament with broadband emission covering the range from > 1000 to 250 nm. This range extends farther into the UV than previously observed with such low energies, overlapping even the region of the third harmonic. Only a small fraction of the power is contained outside the central spot. Using a simple prism compressor, pulses were obtained with durations of 70 fs and energies of 700 nJ in the range 270–290 nm.This revised version was published online in March 2005. The last name of the corresponding author W. Fuß was corrected.     

Broadband difference frequency generation around 4.2 μm at overlapped phase-match conditions

Broadband difference frequency generation is theoretically and experimentally confirmed. It is shown that a wide tunable range of greater than 220 nm (FWHM) around 4.2 μm can be obtained in a 40 mm long periodically poled lithium niobate crystal with a single quasi-phase-matched period at a certain temperature. The broad bandwidth can be explained by means of the group-velocity matching or phase-mismatch minimization at overlapped phase-match conditions. The result shows that the broadband mid-infrared (mid-IR) laser source may find profound applications in trace gases detection of multiple atmospheric species and high resolution spectroscopy.     

Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy using a frequency-doubled current-modulated diode laser

We have studied atomic absorption in an argon discharge by wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with a frequency-doubled diode laser. The tunable wavelength-modulated radiation at 430 nm was generated by frequency doubling a current-modulated 860-nm diode laser in a KNbO₃ crystal. 2f-, 4f- and 6f-harmonic spectra as a function of diode laser modulation depth were measured on a Doppler-broadened sample of excited argon atoms produced in a capacitively coupled plasma chamber. Characterisation of the harmonic signals was accomplished. Minimum detectable absorbances of 7.7×10^-5 and 1.9×10^-4 based on a 3σ criterion (σ being the standard deviation of the noise) were estimated for 2f- and 4f-harmonic detection of the frequency-doubled radiation with a time constant of 0.1 s. The concentrations of argon in the 1s₄ state were found to be in the range of 3×10⁸ to 1.2×10¹¹ cm^-3 for the experimental conditions studied. Received: 25 February 2002 / Revised version: 4 April 2002 / Published online: 14 May 2002     

Nanoscale characterization of single Au nanorods by confocal microscopy

We analyzed the scattering patterns of individual Au nanorods detected by means of confocal interference scattering microscopy in combination with a higher order laser mode. We placed the Au nanorods at the interface between two dielectric media and examined the influence of different interfaces on the signal amplitude, the signal-to-noise ratio as well as on the precision of topological measurements. Approaching the index matching regime allows for topological measurements with high accuracy minimizing the acquisition time. We were also able to track the position and the orientation of particles embedded in water even when they were not thoroughly sticking to the glass surface. These results underscore the potential of the presented technique for applications in life sciences.     

Tunable picosecond UV source at 10 kHz based on an all-solid-state diode-pumped laser system

4 laser. The amplified pulses were frequency-converted in the blue and in the UV by harmonic generation (doubling and tripling) in two lithium triborate (LBO) crystals. Received: 11 March 1997/Accepted: 24 April 1997     

Efficient harmonic generation of second, third, and fourth orders from Fourier-transform-limited CO2 laser beam at 10.6 μm in GaSe crystals

Second, 3rd, and 4th order harmonics from a Fourier-transform-limited nanosecond CO₂ laser beam at 10.6 μm were efficiently generated within one or two GaSe crystals. The peak output powers were determined to be 443, 23, and 2 W, respectively, corresponding to conversion efficiencies of 3.0%, 0.13% and 0.0093%, which were significantly improved, compared with all the previous results. The linewidths of the harmonic beams were estimated to be 80, 104, and 116 MHz, respectively.     

A laser system providing tunable, narrow-band radiation from 35 nm to 2 μm

We describe a laser system that readily provides radiation tunable from 2 μm in the infra-red to 35 nm in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The broad spectral range is covered through a range of non-linear processes such as Raman shifting and high-order harmonic generation. Pulses with duration of tens of picoseconds are obtained. The relative bandwidth of the radiation is δλ/λ=10^-4, comparable with what can be achieved by using high-resolution monochromators at state-of-the-art synchrotron beamlines. We discuss different methods for characterising the radiation in this wide wavelength regime. We also discuss the capabilities of the system from the measured parameters. Received: 12 December 2000 / Revised version: 8 March 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001     

Examination of Validity of Paraxial Approximation in Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy under Low Numerical Aperture

By using a vectorial approach, the validity of paraxial approximation in second harmonic generation （SHG） microscopy under low numerical aperture （NA） is examined when the sample is a collagen fibril. Due to the larger value of dzzz and tensorial nature of SHG, the component Ez of the focused fieM may have strong effect on the radiation pattern of SHG. Numerical results indicate that when the value of NA exceeds 0.3, the effect of Ez can not be neglected, which results in the invalidation of paraxial approximation in SHG microscopy despite the fact that SHG microscopy is still under low NA focusing.     

Continuous-wave light source at 317 nm based on frequency doubling of a diode laser

Received: 16 October 1997     

High-power source of coherent picosecond light pulses tunable from 0.41 to 12.9 μm

We report a high-power source of coherent picosecond light pulses based on optical parametric generation and amplification in LiB₃O₅ and AgGaS₂ crystals. The spectral range of this continuously tunable source covers the visible, near-infrared and medium-infrared spectrum from 0.41 to 12.9 m. An optical parametric generator and amplifier, consisting of two type-I phase-matched LiB₃O₅ crystals and a diffraction grating, is pumped by the third harmonic of a picosecond Nd:YAG laser and provides spectrally narrow, high-power pulses from 0.41 to 2.4 m. Energy conversion efficiencies up to 16 percent are achieved. The pulse duration is about 14 ps, the bandwidth between 10 and 30 cm^–1. The tuning range is extended to 12.9 m by mixing the infrared output between 1.16 and 2.13 m with the fundamental of the Nd:YAG laser in type-I-phase-matched AgGaS₂ crystals. Up to 25 percent of the pulse energy at 1.064 m is converted into parametric infrared pulses. Bandwidths between 3 and 8 cm^–1 and a pulse duration of approximately 19 ps are measured for these pulses. We also observe a retracing behaviour in the tuning curve of AgGaS₂ not reported before.     

Observation of upconversion fluorescence and stimulated emission based on three-photon absorption

The observations of three-photon-induced frequency-upconversion fluorescence and the highly directional stimulated visible emission in two dyes, 4-[p-(dicyanoethylamino) styryl]-N-methylpyridinium iodide (abbreviated as CEASP) and the complex of CEASP and Ce(NO₃) (abbreviated as CEASP-Ce), are reported. The photographs of the forward amplified spontaneous emissions spots, pumped by an optical parametric oscillator idler with a pulse width of 8 ns and a wavelength of 1.3 μ m, are shown. The upconversion fluorescence produced both in dimethyl formamide solution and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) polymer spans from green to red, with a cubic dependence on the pump light intensity. The experimental results imply that the existence of the lanthanide ion Ce^{3 +} sensitizes the nonlinear absorption and emission.