Diode end-pumped high-power Q-switched double Nd:YAG slab laser and its efficient near-field second-harmonic generation

We reported on an all-solid-state double Nd:YAG slab laser. The laser was based on two diode end-pumped Nd:YAG slabs and a stable-unstable hybrid resonator. A cw output of 189 W and an average Q-switched output of 169 W at 10 kHz with an M(2) factor of 1.5 in the slow direction and 1.7 in the fast direction were obtained. We demonstrated efficient near-field frequency doubling by imaging the one-dimensional top-hat near-field to a lithium triborate frequency doubler. We obtained 93 W green light at 10 kHz with a pulse width of 10.7 ns. The efficiency of second-harmonic generation was up to 57%.     

Laser micro-machining using near-field optics

Solid immersion lenses (SIL) facilitate high numerical aperture (NA) and consequent sub-wavelength diffraction limited focusing in near-field optics based systems. Such systems are in commercial and research use for various applications including near-field scanning optical microscopy, ultra-high-density magneto-optic data storage and near-field nanolithography. Here, we present a novel manufacturing method using SIL-based near-field optics for laser-induced patterning on silicon wafers. The near-field effect of SILs was investigated by using hemispherical lenses made of three different materials (BK7, Sapphire, LaSFN9) to superfocus an incident Q-switched, 532 nm Nd:YAG laser beam transmitted through a focusing objective. This optical arrangement achieved a laser-processed feature resolution near the diffraction limit in air. Results of experiments that were conducted at various processing conditions to investigate the effects of varying incident laser power (with peak pulse power less than 1 W), pulse width, number of pulses and size of SIL on processed feature size and resolution are presented. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations using the simplified model.     

应用离子后处理技术提高薄膜激光损伤阈值

利用电子束热蒸发方法在K9玻璃基底上沉积氧化锆薄膜,并对其中一些样品用低能O2+进行了后处理。采用表面热透镜技术测量薄膜样品表面弱吸收,采用显微镜观察样品离子后处理前后的显微缺陷密度。测试结果表明:经离子后处理样品表面的缺陷密度从18.6/mm2降低到6.2/mm2,且其激光损伤阈值从15.9 J/cm2提高到23.1 J/cm2,样品的平均吸收率从处理前的1.147×10-4降低到处理后的9.56×10-5。通过对处理前后样品的表面微缺陷密度、吸收率及损伤形貌等的分析发现:离子后处理可以降低薄膜的显微缺陷和亚显微缺陷,从而降低薄膜的平均吸收率,同时增强了薄膜与基底的结合力,提高了薄膜的激光损伤阈值。     

多层介质膜脉冲宽度压缩光栅与超短脉冲作用时的性能分析

基于啁啾脉冲放大技术的超短脉冲激光系统是提供超快、超强激光的重要途径，具有良好输出波形和高损伤阈值的多层介质膜脉冲宽度压缩光栅是获得高峰值功率脉冲激光的关键. 基于傅里叶谱变换方法和严格模式理论，分析了多层介质膜光栅(MDG)在超短脉冲作用下的光学特性. 结果表明，当MDG的反射带宽小于具有高斯分布的入射脉冲的频谱宽度时，-1级反射脉冲呈非对称高斯分布，其前沿出现振荡，并且-1级反射脉冲能量开始剧烈下降. 讨论了MDG结构参数对其反射带宽的影响. 分析了MDG与超短脉冲作用时的近场光分布，对提高其抗激光损 关键词： 脉冲压缩光栅 傅里叶谱变换 模式理论 损伤阈值     

飞秒超强激光多通预放大过程中的脉冲信噪比研究

从啁啾脉冲放大的基本理论出发,详细计算了啁啾脉冲在多通预放大中各个时间点的增益情况,并设计了一个十通预放大器进行了实验研究. 结果显示,在抽运通量为1.6 J/cm²的非饱和放大情况下,种子脉冲经过十通预放大之后信噪比由10^-5提高到10^-7. 这表明在非饱和抽运通量下,多通预放大器可以有效提高激光脉冲的信噪比. 关键词： 多通预放大 信噪比 飞秒钛宝石激光器     

Investigation of ultrafast plasmon control in silver block by PEEM

We carried out in situ imaging of ultrafast plasmonic near-field control within silver block through photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) combined with picosecond laser pulses. It is found that the near-field distribution can be confined at the edges of the block, and efficiently localized to different edges depending on the polarization direction of the illuminating laser light. In particular, the localized near-field will switch from the upper edge to the lower one in the block when the polarization angle of the laser is changed from 45 to 135°. Furthermore, we found that, due to the restriction to electron oscillation by the edge of the block, the photoemission yield is greatly enhanced in the edge that is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the laser. In addition, we also discussed the mechanism responsible for brightness difference between the left and upper/down edges in PEEM images under s- and p-polarized ultrafast laser illumination. Our findings pave the way for ultrafast plasmon application in the fields such as optical switches, logic operation and others.     

双向光泵浦XeF(C-A)激光

 讨论了双向光泵浦XeF(C-A)激光技术,给出了双向泵浦情况下的XeF₂光解离波图像。在双向泵浦条件下XeF(C-A)激光输出能量提高了近3倍,最大输出达到3.3 J,激光脉宽增加到1 100 ns。激光输出特性受XeF2初始浓度的显著影响,激光形成时间随XeF₂初始浓度增大而加长,激光脉宽先增大后减小,激光近场光斑呈现出不同的形状,由方形变化为“X”形状。     

Optimization toward a high-average-brightness soft-x-ray laser pumped at grazing incidence

We report the near-field imaging characterization of a 10 Hz Ni-like 18.9 nm molybdenum soft-x-ray laser pumped in a grazing incidence pumping (GRIP) geometry with a table-top laser driver. We investigate the effect of varying the GRIP angle on the spatial behavior of the soft-x-ray laser source. After multiparameter optimization, we were able to find conditions to generate routinely a high-repetition-rate soft-x-ray laser with an energy level of up to 3 microJ/pulse and to 6x10(17) photons/s/mm2/mrad2/(0.1% bandwidth) average brightness and 1x10(28) photons/s/mm2/mrad2/(0.1% bandwidth) peak brightness.     

A passively mode-locked Nd:YAG laser using a half-symmetric unstable resonator with continuous output coupling

A mode-locked Nd:YAG laser has been operated using a half-symmetric unstable resonator consisting of a totally reflecting convex mirror and a 8% reflecting plane mirror formed by one end of the laser rod. The performance of this laser is reported for two resonator lengths. In the case of the longer resonator the far-field distribution retained the same radial symmetric form even when an intra-cavity aperture was adjusted to produce different near-field patterns. Beam divergence at the 1/e² point was measured to be (4.0±0.4) × 10^-4 radians. Pulse widths were confirmed as 30±3 ps within a pulse train of 52±5 mJ.     

Passively Q-switched laser with single longitudinal mode based on the frequency selection of grating and F-P etalon in twisted-mode folded cavity

A passively Q-switched side-pumped laser with folded resonator is specially constructed for single- longitudinal-mode smooth pulse output. Nd：YAG is chosen as the laser active medium and Cr^4＋：YAG as the saturable absorber medium. Additionally, the method of frequency selection by grating with 1200 line/mm and Fabry-Perot （F-P） etalon is used in the twisted-mode cavity. The single-frequency smooth pulses are produced with 10-Hz repetition rate, 20-ns pulse width, and 1.064-μm wavelength. The proba- bility of single-frequency laser output measured is over 99% by using the methods of Fourier analysis and F-P etalon multiple-beam interferometry at the threshold voltage. The measured near-field and far-field angles of divergence are 1.442 and 1.315 mrad, respectively. The values of M^2 are 1.32 and 1.31 separately with the knife-edge method. Single pulse at 1.064 tim with the energy of 8.8 mJ is achieved in TEM00 mode.     

激光大气等离子体的电子密度空间分布特性研究

利用Nd∶YAG激光器产生的1.06 μm激光束(脉冲能量为500 mJ,脉冲宽度为10 ns, 重复频率30 Hz)聚焦击穿大气形成长约为8 cm、最大直径为5 cm的激光大气等离子体柱,用光谱测量的方法,分别沿平行于激光束方向和垂直于激光束方向探测该等离子体柱的空间分辨光谱,并由此反演得出电子密度空间分布特性。实验结果表明,激光大气等离子体中各种离子和电子呈橄榄形分布,沿激光束方向不对称,而垂直激光束方向对称分布,最大电子密度为1018 cm-3。文章还探讨了激光大气等离子体中处在不同状态的各种原子、分子和离子在空间的分布特性,为进一步揭示激光大气等离子体的微观空间分布规律提供了实验依据。     

Polarization effect of femtosecond pulse breakdown in subwavelength antireflective relief grating

The transmittance property and the near-field distribution of subwavelength broadband antireflective grating directly patterned into the wide bandgap dielectric material as a function of the surface period and groove depth are performed by a rigorous Fourier modal method. It is found that the transmittivity is insensitive for TE and TM polarization, but the near-field distribution associated with laser damage resistance ability is strongly dependent on polarization state of incident light. What's more, the femtosecond pulse laser damage threshold of surface structure taking into account local maximum electric field enhancement was calculated numerically using a theoretical ionization mechanism model. The higher threshold on the surface period, pulse duration and incident wavelength for TM polarization than that for TE wave is demonstrated quantitatively.     

Beam quality improvement and focused peak intensity measurement of an intense femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser system

Micro-lens arrays were adopted to homogenize the beam profile of 532-nm pumping laser for the main amplifier of an intense femtosecond, chirped pulse amplification (CPA) Ti:sapphire laser. Experimental measurements showed a great improvement of the near-field pattern of the CPA beam after the main amplifier and the size of the focal spot was improved from 2.7 times diffraction limitation (DL) to 1.6 DL.The spot size focused by an f/4 off-axis parabola (OAP) in the target chamber was measured to be 5.8μm (full-width at half-maximum (FWHM)), and a peak intensity of 2.6 × 1020 W/cm2 was obtained at the output power of 120 TW. Peak intensity exceeding 1021 W/cm2 or even 1022 W/cm2 can be expected with smaller f-number focusing configuration and wavefront correction.     

Dynamic transition from modelike patterns to turbulentlike patterns in a broad-area Nd:YAG laser

We report the first experimental observation to our knowledge of a dynamic transition from modelike patterns to completely disordered patterns in a large-aspect-ratio Nd:YAG laser. Recordings of near-field patterns with an integration time as small as 1 ns allow us to follow the evolution of the transverse intensity profile along the output pulse of the laser.     

高功率激光装置光束精密调控性能研究进展

光束精密调控是惯性约束聚变(ICF)研究对激光驱动器的基本需求,它是一项装置层面的系统工程。主要介绍了中国工程物理研究院激光聚变研究中心近年来在靶面光强控制、脉冲波形控制、光束近场控制以及在新型光束探索方面所取得的重要进展。     

Near-field investigation of exciton dynamics under semiconductor surface

The near-field images calculation method for the semiconductor surface with the excitons generated by strong focused laser pulse was proposed. Calculation was performed using Green function method in the frame of concept of local field. The main characteristic of the proposed approach is maximal usage of the analytical calculations. The near-field images for the Si surface were studied. Developed approach is universal and could be able to find with experimental data on time-resolved near-field microscopy some parameters of exciton such as diffusion constant, relaxation time, and surface state density.     

脉冲激光测距回波信号时间选通处理技术

为了降低高重频脉冲激光测距回波信号的误识别率,提高测距性能,对高重频脉冲激光测距回波信号调理技术进行深入研究。采用FPGA作为主控芯片,产生激光调制脉冲,并根据被测距离3.33 μs～33.33 μs时间选通方波信号,驱动开关芯片产生与量程关联的时间波门,有效滤除脉冲回波中的干扰脉冲,该方法改进了常规脉冲激光测距信号处理系统的自动增益控制环节。测试实验结果表明:在脉冲回波信号60 dB的动态范围内,可有效滤除回波信号中引入的干扰脉冲,极大地降低了干扰脉冲误识别造成粗大误差的可能性。该方法可推广应用于脉冲激光测距信号处理系统,使系统测距精度提高12.6%。     

抽运激光聚焦特性对预脉冲诱导的类氖J=0→1 X射线激光近场像的影响

研究了在最佳除焦、预脉冲光束单独散焦及主预脉 时散焦三种不同抽运激光聚焦条件下,预脉冲诱导的类氖铁和锌Ｊ＝０→１Ｘ射线激光的近场像。本实验是在Ａｓｔｅｒｉ ｉｖ磺激光装置上进行的,实验中主、预脉冲间的时间间隔为５ｎｓ。实验发现在抽运激光主、预脉冲最佳聚焦条件下,Ｘ射线激光束在２．５ｃｍ长的线状等离子体输出端沿靶面（垂直）方向分裂成两束;在抽运预脉冲单独散焦条件下,仍然观察到这一分裂现象;但是当抽运     

High-order harmonics from solid targets as a probe for high-density plasmas

The interaction of 100-fs Ti:sapphire laser pulses with thin foil targets was experimentally investigated at intensities exceeding 10(18) W/cm(2). High harmonics were observed in transmission through an overdense plasma in the direction of the incident beam. From the cutoff frequency of the harmonics an electron density of 1 x 10(24) cm(-3) is inferred, indicating a compression of the plasma by the ponderomotive force of the laser pulse.     

Plasmonic laser nanoablation of silicon by the scattering of femtosecond pulses near gold nanospheres

We present the fabrication of nanostructures ablated on silicon(100) by the plasmonic scattering of 780 nm, 220 fs laser pulses in the near-field of gold nanospheres. We take advantage of the enhanced plasmonic scattering of ultrashort laser light in the particle near-field to ablate well-defined nanocraters. Gold nanospheres of 150 nm diameter are deposited onto a silicon surface and irradiated with a single laser pulse. We studied the effect of laser polarization on the morphology of ablated nanostructures and estimated the minimum fluence for plasmonic nanoablation. When the polarization of the incident radiation is directed at a 45° angle into the substrate surface, a near-field enhancement of 23.1±7.6 is measured, reducing the required silicon ablation fluence from 191±14 mJ/cm² to 8.2±2.9 mJ/cm². Enhancements are also measured for laser polarizations parallel to the substrate surface when the substrate is angled 0° and 45° to the incident irradiation, giving enhancements of 6.9±0.6 and 4.1±1.3, respectively. Generated nanocrater morphologies show a direct imprint of the particle dipolar scattering region, as predicted in our theoretical calculations. The measured near-field enhancement values agree well with the maximum field enhancements obtained in our calculations. The agreement between theory and measurements supports that the nanocraters are indeed formed by the enhanced plasmonic scattering in the near-field of the nanoparticles. PACS 42.62.-b; 52.38.Mf; 81.65.Cf; 81.16.-c; 78.67.Bf