Orthogonally Linearly Polarized Dual Frequency Nd：YAG Lasers with Tunable Frequency Difference and Its Application in Precision Angle Measurement

The orthogonally linearly polarized dual frequency Nd： YA G lasers with two quarter wave plates in laser resonator are proposed. The intra-cavity variable birefringence, which is caused by relative rotation of these two wave plates in laser inner cavity, results in the frequency difference of the dual frequency laser also changeable. The theory model based on the Jones matrix is presented, as well as experimental results. The potential application of this phenomenon in precision roll-angle measurement is also discussed.     

基于激光回馈效应的纳米计量系统

提出了一种基于激光多重回馈效应的纳米计量系统,系统采用非准直平凹回馈外腔结构,使在回馈外腔中往返多次的回馈光束返回到激光谐振腔中,形成高阶回馈效应,得到了高密度、类正弦和位相正交的双频激光回馈条纹。条纹的密度为传统弱回馈的几×10倍,而且回馈条纹以激光波长为尺子,具有可溯源性,在没有任何电细分的条件下达到了nm级的光学分辨率。特别地,通过采用双折射双频激光器,获得了两偏振正交的激光回馈条纹,而且两正交偏振回馈条纹间还具有位相差,位相差的大小主要由双频激光器的频差、外腔长以及回馈阶次决定。利用两正交偏振回馈条纹间的位相关系,可用于识别物体的运动方向。与激光干涉仪的比对实验表明,系统的线性度优于5.2×10-5,光学分辨率为10.2nm,量程大于500μm。     

A sensitive method of determining optic axis azimuth based on laser feedback

A sensitive method to determine the optic axis azimuth of the birefringence element is presented, which is based on laser feedback. The phase difference between the two intensities in birefringence feedback changes with the angle between the optic axis of the birefringence element and laser original polarization. The phase difference is highly sensitive to the relative position of the optic axis and the laser original polarization. This method is used to highly precisely determine the optic axis azimuth, and is able to distinguish between the fast axis and the slow axis of the birefringence element. Theoretical analysis and experimental results are both demonstrated.     

基于激光回馈效应的液晶双折射特性测量

准确的双折射特性测量对于液晶的实际应用具有重要意义。研究了液晶材料的工作原理,以激光回馈效应为基础,搭建了各向异性外腔回馈双折射测量系统,对不同驱动电压下液晶的双折射特性进行测量。测量结果表明,各向异性外腔回馈双折射测量系统测量精度在0.3°之内;通过施加0~24V交流电压,液晶材料双折射率在2.74×10-1~2.39×10-3范围内变化,对应各向异性呈现出460°~5°的大范围位相延迟值。电压范围在0.7~2V时,电压-双折射率关系表现出较好的线性度,通过线性拟合对该范围内电压-双折射率关系进行计算,其线性度优于95.5%。液晶材料可以提供稳定的位相延迟,同一电压值下的位相延迟短期重复性优于0.52°,长期重复性优于4.5°。     

基于Nd:YVO4激光回馈效应的远距离振动测量研究

基于 Nd:YVO₄激光回馈技术,提出了一种实现对远距离微小振动位移直接测量的新方法。相位 测量技术和 移频激光回馈技术的采用,使本文方法不仅有高的分辨率,还有非常高的灵敏度。利用本文 方法对远距离不同目标 进行系统信号信噪比(SNR)测试后,对远距离声音振动进行 测试,清晰还原了声音信号。最后分析了本文方法的 可靠性和测量范围,采用滤除低频噪声的方法,使在15.7m处外界环 境对系统的影响降低到50nm。     

Generation and Modulation of Phase Difference of Output Intensities in a Feedback Nd:YAG Laser with an Extracavity Waveplate Rotated

External anisotropic feedback effects on the phase difference behaviour of output intensities in a microchip Nd：YAG laser are presented. By rotating a quarter wave plate placed in the external cavity, the angle between laser initial polarization direction and o-axis of the wave plate is tuned from -45°to 45°, which results in variable extra-cavity birefringence along two orthogonal detection directions. With only one optical path and one wave plate, laser intensities of the two orthogonal directions, both modulated by the external cavity length, are output with a tunable phase difference, which can be continuously changed from zero to twice as large as that of the waveplate. Experimental results as well as a theoretical analysis based on Fabry-Perot cavity equivalent model and the refractive index ellipsoid, are presented. The potential applications of this phenomenon are also discussed.     

用于全内腔微片激光器稳频的温度控制系统

温度控制是实现全内腔半导体泵浦Nd:YAG微片激光器稳频的行之有效的手段之一。研究了如何为Nd:YAG微片激光器的稳频提供有效的温控方式。估算出所需要的控温精度波动范围在0.09 ℃以内。依据这一设计目标,介绍了各重要环节的设计过程。通过频域分析法,对温控系统的特性进行分析与调整。通过理论计算将系统改造成了二阶系统最优模型并用实验验证了理论分析。研制了一套用于全内腔半导体泵浦Nd:YAG微片激光器的温控系统,并在两种条件下对系统进行了测试。在室温26 ℃左右的条件下,可以给微片提供18~38 ℃之间的任意温度环境,温度波动范围在0.05 ℃以内;当环境温度在18 ~27 ℃之间任意改变时,系统能将晶片温度稳定在24 ℃,温度波动范围在0.05 ℃以内。     

Non-contact angle measurement based on parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometry

We present a novel precise angle measurement scheme based on parallel multiplex laser feedback interferometry （PLFI）, which outputs two parallel laser beams and thus their displacement difference reflects the angle variation of the target. Due to its ultrahigh sensitivity to the feedback light, PLFI realizes the direct non-contact measurement of non- cooperative targets. Experimental results show that PLFI has an accuracy of 8＂ within a range of 1400＂. The yaw of a guide is also measured and the experimental results agree with those of the dual-frequency laser interferometer Agilent 5529A.     

Distortion of optical feedback signals in microchip Nd:YAG lasers subjected to external multi-beam interference feedback

This paper proposes a theoretical analysis for the characteristics of an external cavity Nd:YAG laser with feedback of multiple-beam interference, which is induced by the multi-reentrance of the light from the external Fabry--Perot cavity. The theoretical model considers the multiple beam interference of the external Fabry--Perot cavity. It is found that the optical feedback signals are distorted to pulse waveforms instead of the sinusoidal ones in conventional feedback. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. The obtained theoretical and experimental results can advance the development of a laser feedback interferometer.     

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of microchip Nd:YAG laser and its application in angle measurement

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of the microchip Nd:YAG laser are presented. When a birefringence element is placed in the external feedback cavity of the laser, two orthogonally polarized laser beams with a phase difference are output. The phase difference is twice as large as the phase retardation in the external cavity along the two orthogonal directions. The variable extra-cavity birefringence, caused by rotation of the external-cavity birefringence element, results in tunable phase difference between the two orthogonally polarized beams. This means that the roll angle information has been translated to phase difference of two output laser beams. A theoretical analysis based on the Fabry--Perot cavity equivalent model and refractive index ellipsoid is presented, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. This phenomenon has potential applications for roll angle measurement.