Efficient laser diode side pumped neodymium glass slab laser

The authors report efficient pulse operation of an Nd:glass slab laser-side-pumped by laser diode arrays. 7.5 mJ output and a slope efficiency of 29% were obtained with 35 nJ pump energy at 0.8 μm in 200 μs pulses. The wide absorption band at 0.8 and low laser loss in this phosphate glass allow for efficient pump light absorption and straightforward scalability to high power. The authors demonstrate 22% optical efficiency in a long pulse, multimode diode pumped laser oscillator based on a phosphate laser glass, LHG-8, highly doped with Nd ₂O₃. The strong and wide absorption bands in such phosphate glasses allow efficient pumping while somewhat relaxing the expensive wavelength selection requirements for laser arrays compared with crystal line host materials. With such materials, smaller slab thickness or rod diameters that are feasible with Nd:YAG can be used in the side-pumping geometry     

Oxide-confined vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser pumped Nd:YVO4 microchip lasers

In this letter, we demonstrate an experimental study of using a large area oxide-confined vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) to pump a Nd:YVO₄ microchip laser. The maximum output power of 1.2 mW in TEM₀₀ mode is obtained with a pump power of 8.2 mW. Experimental results show that the complex transverse modal behavior of VCSELs in the higher injection current may cause an impediment of power scaling     

Gain-switching in a vertical-cavity laser with high-contrastmirrors

Gain-switched operation of an optically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with high-contrast Al_xO_y/GaAs distributed Bragg reflectors is characterised. A pulse width of less than 8 ps is obtained. The far-field radiation patterns at different pump levels are found to depend on the temporal response     

Diode-pumped ytterbium-doped Sr5(PO4)3F laser performance

The performance of the first diode-pumped Yb³⁺-doped Sr ₅(PO₄)₃F (Yb:S-FAP) solid-state laser is discussed. An InGaAs diode array has been fabricated that has suitable specifications for pumping a 3×3×30 mm Yb:S-FAP rod. The saturation fluence for diode pumping was deduced to be 5.5 J/cm ² for the particular 2.8 kW peak power diode array utilized in our studies. This is 2.5× higher than the intrinsic 2.2 J/cm ² saturation fluence as is attributed to the 6.5 nm bandwidth of our diode pump array. The small signal gain is consistent with the previously measured emission cross section of 6.0×10^-20 cm², obtained from a narrowband-laser pumped gain experiment. Up to 1.7 J/cm³ of stored energy density was achieved in a 6×6×44 mm Yb:S-FAP amplifier rod. In a free running configuration, diode-pumped slope efficiencies up to 43% (laser output energy/absorbed pump energy) were observed with output energies up to ~0.5 J per 1 ms pulse. When the rod was mounted in a copper block for cooling, 13 W of average power was produced with power supply limited operation at 70 Hz with 500 μs pulses     

Efficient gain-switched operation of a Tm-doped silica fiber laser

We present the results from experiments relating to a gain-switched Tm-doped silica fiber laser in which a gain-switched Nd:YAG laser is used to pump the ³H₅ energy level of the Tm³⁺ dopant ion. This fiber laser configuration is the first example to our knowledge of a moderate energy gain-switched fiber laser which is pumped with a low-repetition-rate high-energy pulsed laser. For a near-optimized cavity, the gain-switched fiber laser produces a maximum pulse energy of 1.46 mJ at a maximum linear slope efficiency of 20% and a total optical-to-optical efficiency (with respect to the launched energy) of 19%. At low pump energies, the slope efficiency is approximately 40%, however, saturation of the output pulse energy is observed with the increase in the launched pump energy. We also present results from a numerical model that simulates ³H ₅-band pumping and includes all of the known pump excited-state absorption (ESA) mechanisms and, in addition, four cross-relaxation mechanisms have also been included. The calculations establish that the pump ESA mechanism contributes only a small loss factor to the overall efficiency of the laser when the Tm-doped silica fiber laser is pumped at low pump energies, however, as the pump energy is increased, losses due to pump ESA limit the amount of output energy from the fiber laser. The loss mechanism is mainly attributed to pump ESA from the ³H₄ upper laser level to the combined ³F_2,3 energy level at low launched pump energies because of the large absorption cross section for this transition and the relatively long lifetime of the ³H₄ energy level. For harder pumping conditions, the majority of the excited state population resides in the ¹G₄ level, inhibiting in some laser configurations gain-switching of the fiber laser until cessation of the pump pulse itself     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of a diode-pumpedquasi-three-level laser: the Yb3+-doped Ca4GdO(BO3)3 (Yb:GdCOB) laser

We present a theoretical and experimental analysis of a diode-pumped Yb³⁺-doped Ca₄GdO(BO₃)₃ (Yb:GdCOB) laser. A new model for a diode-pumped quasi-three-level laser is described. The effects of absorption saturation, temperature profile, and the beam quality M² factor of the pump diode have been taken into account, for the first time to our knowledge. We have obtained a good agreement between experimental measurements and theoretical calculations with two different pump wavelengths, 902 and 976 nm. Our model has given good predictions of the laser performances for different crystal temperatures and different M² factors of the pump beam. As much as 440 mW of output power (at 1082 nm) have been achieved for 640 mW of absorbed pump power at 976 nm, corresponding to one of the highest slope efficiencies (81%) ever obtained with Yb-doped lasers     

Generation of picosecond blue light pulse by frequency doubling ofgain-switched GaAlAs laser diode having saturable absorber

Picosecond pulse generation of blue light by frequency doubling of a GaAlAs laser diode is reported. High power pulse generation is realized by incorporating gain switching of a laser diode with a saturable absorber and frequency doubling in a proton-exchanged MgO:LiNbO₃ waveguide. The laser diode with a longer saturable absorber can produce optical pulses with higher peak power and narrower pulse width. The spectral bandwidth of second-harmonic generation for the waveguide is evaluated at about 20 nm. This is wide enough to frequency-double all the multilongitudinal modes of the gain-switched laser diode. A blue light pulse of 7.88-mW maximum peak power and 28.7-ps pulsewidth is obtained for a 1.23-W peak pulse of the laser diode     

基于金纳米笼和MoS2的1 123 nm被动调Q Nd: YAG激光器

采用电流置换反应成功制备了金纳米笼溶液并首次验证了其在1123 nm处的非线性饱和吸收特性,作为对比,同样制备了MoS₂饱和吸收体。分别将金纳米笼和MoS₂作为饱和吸收体,实现了中心波长为1 123 nm的Nd: YAG激光器的调Q运转。在MoS₂为饱和吸收体的调Q激光器中,当泵浦功率为6.81 W时,得到的最大平均输出功率为208 mW,最短脉冲宽度为412 ns,最大脉冲重复率为233 kHz。在金纳米笼为饱和吸收体的调Q激光器中,当泵浦功率为6.04 W时,得到的最大平均输出功率为221 mW,最短脉冲宽度为253 ns,最大脉冲重复率为326 kHz。与MoS₂调Q激光器的实验结果相比,金纳米笼调Q激光器获得的输出功率和效率更高,脉冲宽度更窄,重复率更高。结果证明了金纳米笼在近红外波段激光器中用作饱和吸收体的巨大潜力。     

Spectroscopic properties and efficient diode-pumped laser operationof neodymium-doped lanthanum scandium borate

We report on the spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Czochralski-grown LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ (LSB) crystals with high neodymium concentrations up to 2.5·10²¹ cm^-3. The low-concentration quenching of the upper laser level of neodymium and the polarization dependence of the spectra indicate that LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ crystalizes in a huntite-type structure like Nd³⁺:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ (NYAB). With diode laser pumping at 808 nm, a multimode Nd³⁺:LaSc₃ (BO₃)₄ (NLSB) laser at 1063 nm is demonstrated. Optical slope efficiency was 64% with respect to absorbed pump power. The possibility of second-harmonic generation in the laser crystal is discussed     

波长锁定878.6 nm LD调制泵浦Nd: YVO4自拉曼激光器

报道了一款基于调制共振泵浦技术的Nd:YVO₄自拉曼激光器。针对全固态自拉曼激光器中热效应严重导致的激光器输出功率及光光效率普遍偏低的问题,合理地将共振泵浦技术和调制泵浦技术相结合,实现了激光器的有效热管控,缓解了激光器的热效应,提高了泵浦上限,从而实现了激光器输出功率和光光效率的大幅提高。当泵浦源的调制频率为10 kHz、占空比为40%、平均泵浦功率为30 W、声光Q开关的调制频率为100 kHz时,获得了最大平均功率为8.57 W的1176 nm斯托克斯光输出,相应光光转换效率28.6%。相较于相同泵浦功率的连续泵浦机制下的实验结果,斯托克斯光平均输出功率提高了42%,光光效率提高了8.5%。实验结果表明:共振泵浦和调制泵浦技术相结合的方式可以有效缓解热效应,提高泵浦功率上限,从而提高自拉曼激光器的输出功率和光光效率。     

Room temperature pulsed operation of 1.5 μm GaInAsP/InPvertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

Room-temperature pulsed operation of a GaInAsP/InP vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diode (VCSELD) with an emission wavelength near 1.55 μm is reported. A double heterostructure with a 34-pair GaInAsP (λ_g=1.4 μm)/InP distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) was grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The measured reflectivity of the semiconductor DBR is over 97% and threshold current is 260 mA for a 40-μmφ device with a 0.88-μm-thick active layer. Threshold current density is as low as 21 kA/cm² at room temperature     

Cr:LiCaAlF6 laser pumped by visible laser diodes

A Cr:LiCaAlF₆ laser was pumped using visible lase diodes. Two commercial 10-mW laser diodes were polarization combined to demonstrate lasing in a low-loss resonator. In addition, a higher power 665-nm laser diode was used to pump the laser, producing 15.9 mW CW and 51.8 mW pulsed at 10 Hz. Optical characterization of the gain medium was performed using a dye laser. Gain, loss, slope efficiency, and the dependence of the threshold power on pump wavelength are reported     

利用非均匀抽运探测激光增强阿秒脉冲强度

为了增强高次谐波光谱及阿秒脉冲的强度，采用数值求解薛定谔方程的方法，理论研究了H₂+在抽运探测激光驱动下高次谐波辐射特点。结果表明，在抽运激光驱动下，H₂+首先被激发到多光子共振电离区间，进而增大电离几率; 随后在探测激光驱动下，谐波辐射强度得到增强; 当采用不对称非均匀激光场时，谐波截止频率可以进一步延伸，并且谐波平台区只由单一谐波辐射能量峰贡献; 最后通过叠加傅里叶变换后的谐波可获得脉宽在32as的脉冲。该研究对单个阿秒脉冲的产生是有帮助的。     

Frequency measurements of optically pumped far-infrared laser lines

In this work, we report the frequency measurements of optically pumped far-infrared (FIR) laser lines. We use the heterodyne technique of mixing FIR laser radiation and microwave radiation on a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) point contact tunnel diode, to determine the FIR laser frequencies. The two FIR laser systems, consisting of CO₂ waveguide pump lasers and Fabry-Perot FIR laser cavities, and MIM diode were developed by us. To check the system, we have measured some FIR laser line frequencies previously reported in the literature. An average fractional frequency reproducibility of ±7×10^-7, between our measurements and the previous ones, permit us to use our system to measure five new FIR laser frequencies     

不同浓度Ti:Bi2Te3的调Q光纤激光器

基于二维材料的非线性光开关是调Q光纤激光器的核心器件,二维材料光开关的浓度会直接影响其非线性光学吸收特性,从而改变脉冲的时域特性。因此,针对二维材料浓度对调Q光脉冲的影响进行了研究,并通过实验制作了基于不同浓度Ti: Bi₂Te₃可饱和吸收光开关,分析了Ti: Bi₂Te₃浓度对非线性光学吸收特性的影响,获得了调Q光脉冲的调制深度、脉冲宽度、重复频率和单脉冲能量随不同浓度Bi₂Te₃的变化关系。最终,针对谐振腔参数对Ti:Bi₂Te₃浓度进行优化,在泵浦功率为71 mW时,获得了中心波长为1 560 nm、脉冲宽度为8 μs,重复频率为14.2 kHz、平均输出功率2.15 mW、对应单脉冲能量为151.4 nJ的脉冲输出。     

Single-diode end-pumped Nd:YAG laser

Experimental results on the first miniature Nd:YAG laser end-pumped by a single incoherent infrared-emitting diode are given. Laser operation was verified by measurements of relaxation oscillations, angular divergence, wavelength, and nonlinear output. In order to emit in the 0.81- μm pump band of Nd:YAG, the GaAs1-xPxdiode required cooling to 88 K (-185°C). Cooling the diode increased its efficiency while cooling the rod decreased the pump power necessary to reach threshold. With both laser mirrors highly reflecting at 1.06 μm, the maximum pulse powerP_{D}^{th}emitted by the diode at threshold was 6.2 ± 1.2 mW. The diode power required for laser threshold at room temperature was derived and compared with more recent experiments. Miniature size and long-lived solid-state components make this laser attractive for further development.     

Room temperature Dy:YLF laser operation at 4.34 μm

A Dy:YLF laser operating on the ⁶H_11/2 to ⁶H_13/2 transition at 4.34 μm and using a laser pumping scheme is reported. This pumping scheme is necessitated by the short upper-laser-level lifetime and the small effective stimulated-emission cross section. A suitable laser for this application is the Er:YLF laser operating at 1.73 μm. A simple model that approximates Dy:YLF laser performance well is presented. Results on laser performance, including a determination of the slope efficiency and threshold as a function of the output mirror reflectivity and a correlation of the pulse length with the laser output energy, are reported. Overall laser efficiency is found to be limited primarily by the ratio of the pump wavelength to laser output wavelength and the terminated four-level laser operation     

Operation of diode laser pumped Tm3+ ZBLAN upconversionfiber laser at 482 nm

Lasing at 482 nm is observed in Tm³⁺-doped ZBLAN glass fiber pumped with single-mode InP semiconductor diode lasers. Up to 5 mW of 482 nm light is obtained with <40 mW of absorbed pump power from a single 1135 nm pump diode laser. The optimum pump wavelength is measured to be 1135-1340 nm. More efficient laser operation is observed in fiber with 2500 ppm Tm³⁺ compared to 1000 ppm Tm³⁺ because of the reduced length of the fiber laser cavity possible with increased doping. Improved slope efficiencies are also demonstrated when the fiber laser is co-pumped with up to 5 mW from a 1220 nm diode laser. The relative intensity noise (RIN) of the fiber laser displays a maximum of -90 dB/Hz at relaxation oscillation frequencies of a few tens of kHz. The measurement of RIN is limited by shot-noise of -152 dB/Hz above 2 MHz. At higher frequencies, self mode-locking was observed in the fiber laser, which may indicate the existence of saturable absorbers in the fiber core. The presence of such bleachable absorbers is indicated by the observed increase in threshold after upconversion lasing at 482 mm     

RbCl:Li color center laser with laser diode pumping

CW operation of a RbCl:Li-F_A(II) laser has been obtained under pumping by a red laser diode. Pump power at threshold is 90 mW. Single frequency operation of the color center laser has been achieved. The intensity noise generated by two pump sources (laser diode and Kr-ion laser) is compared     

Subnanosecond multi-gigawatt CO2 laser

A semiconductor switching technique has been utilized to produce 30-300 ps variable duration CO₂ laser pulses of 0.5-MW peak power. Eight passes through a 1.2-m long, UV-preionized, 3-atm TE CO₂ amplifier raise the output laser peak power to the 10¹⁰ W level. Sampling the amplifier gain in linear and saturated regimes using CO₂ laser radiation ranging from CW to 30 ps pulse length permits comparison with computer modeling of picosecond CO₂ pulse amplification. The potential for further peak power scaling of picosecond molecular lasers is discussed