双光子吸收碱金属蒸气激光器研究进展

蓝紫激光和中红外激光在基础研究和国防工程中有重要的应用前景。单光子吸收的碱金属蒸气激光器具有量子效率高、受激发射截面大和热管理性能好等优点,近些年来已成为激光领域中研究热点之一,目前已实现k W量级的输出。双光子吸收的碱金属蒸气激光器可实现蓝紫激光和中红外激光级联输出的特性,也引起越来越多的关注。本文从碱金属原子密度、泵浦光功率、偏振和频率失调量以及调控激光等几种影响因素出发,综述了双光子吸收碱金属蒸气激光的研究进展,在此基础上分析了影响激光输出特性的原因,最后对双光子吸收碱金属蒸气激光器的发展趋势进行了展望。

Research progress on the two-photon absorption alkali vapor laser

Blue-violet lasers and mid-infrared lasers play an important role in the fields of basic research and defense engineering. Single-photon absorption alkali vapor lasers have recently become an area of high interest in laser research for their key advantages, such as high quantum efficiency, large stimulated emission cross-sections and effective thermal management performance. At present, they have achieved an output power reaching 1 kW. Two-photon absorption alkali vapor lasers have attracted increasing attention for their blue-violet laser and mid-infrared laser cascade output characteristics. In this paper, research progress on the two-photon absorption alkali vapor laser is reviewed with regards to alkali atomic density, pump laser power, polarization and frequency offset, controlling laser etc.. The reasons for any influence these factors have on output are then analyzed. Finally, predictions on the future development of the two-photon absorption alkali vapor laser are provided.