Production of a Beam of Highly Vibrationally Excited CO Using Perturbations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartels, N.; Schäfer, T.; Hühnert, J.; Wodtke, A. M.; Field, R. W.

2012-06-01

For many experimentalists (especially those, who are not spectroscopists), molecular pertubations are a curse, as they make assignments and analysis of spectral data more difficult. Nevertheless, they can also be a boon! In this talk we will show how a molecular beam of CO in high vibrational states (v=17,18) can be prepared by an optical pumping scheme that we call PUMP-PUMP-PERTURB and DUMP (P^3D). P^3D exploits the loaning, via spin-orbit perturbations, of the large oscillator strength of the 4th positive system, A ^1 π ← X ^1 Σ ^+, to the triplet manifold. This allows some nominally spin-forbidden transitions to be exploited in multistep optical pumping schemes. The ability to {state-selectively} prepare CO in high vibrational states opens up new opportunities for molecular beam scattering experiments.

Design considerations for optically pumped, UV and XUV lasers in the Be isoelectronic sequence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krishnan, M.; Trebes, J.

1984-09-01

Intense line radiation from plasmas of MnVI, PIX, AlV, AlVIII, AlIX, and AlXI may be used to selectively pump population inversions in plasmas of Be-like CIII, NIV, FVI, NeVII, NaVIII, and MgIX. Quasi-cw lasing is possible on 4p-3d and 4f-3d transitions at wavelengths from 2177 A to 230 A. At the XUV wavelengths, 1 J, 10 ns laser output pulses at 10/sup 8/ W power levels are shown possible with existing discharge technology. Since all six laser ions are in the Be isoelectronic sequence, detailed studies of the optical pumping process at UV wavelengths in CIII would provide scaling parametersmore » for the less accessible XUV wavelengths.« less

Terahertz Optical Gain Based on Intersubband Transitions in Optically-Pumped Semiconductor Quantum Wells: Coherent Pumped-Probe Interactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Ansheng; Ning, Cun-Zheng

1999-01-01

Terahertz optical gain due to intersubband transitions in optically-pumped semiconductor quantum wells (QW's) is calculated nonperturbatively. We solve the pump- field-induced nonequilibrium distribution function for each subband of the QW system from a set of rate equations that include both intrasubband and intersubband relaxation processes. The gain arising from population inversion and stimulated Raman processes is calculated in a unified manner. We show that the coherent pump and signal wave interactions contribute significantly to the THz gain. Because of the optical Stark effect and pump-induced population redistribution, optical gain saturation at larger pump intensities is predicted.

Spin-lattice relaxation of optically polarized nuclei in p -type GaAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotur, M.; Dzhioev, R. I.; Vladimirova, M.; Cherbunin, R. V.; Sokolov, P. S.; Yakovlev, D. R.; Bayer, M.; Suter, D.; Kavokin, K. V.

2018-04-01

Spin-lattice relaxation of the nuclear spin system in p -type GaAs is studied using a three-stage experimental protocol including optical pumping and measuring the difference of the nuclear spin polarization before and after a dark interval of variable length. This method allows us to measure the spin-lattice relaxation time T1 of optically pumped nuclei "in the dark," that is, in the absence of illumination. The measured T1 values fall into the subsecond time range, being three orders of magnitude shorter than in earlier studied n -type GaAs. The drastic difference is further emphasized by magnetic-field and temperature dependencies of T1 in p -GaAs, showing no similarity to those in n -GaAs. This unexpected behavior finds its explanation in the spatial selectivity of the optical pumping in p -GaAs, that is only efficient in the vicinity of shallow donors, together with the quadrupole relaxation of nuclear spins, which is induced by electric fields within closely spaced donor-acceptor pairs. The developed theoretical model explains the whole set of experimental results.

Peculiarities of the statistics of spectrally selected fluorescence radiation in laser-pumped dye-doped random media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuvchenko, S. A.; Ushakova, E. V.; Pavlova, M. V.; Alonova, M. V.; Zimnyakov, D. A.

2018-04-01

We consider the practical realization of a new optical probe method of the random media which is defined as the reference-free path length interferometry with the intensity moments analysis. A peculiarity in the statistics of the spectrally selected fluorescence radiation in laser-pumped dye-doped random medium is discussed. Previously established correlations between the second- and the third-order moments of the intensity fluctuations in the random interference patterns, the coherence function of the probe radiation, and the path difference probability density for the interfering partial waves in the medium are confirmed. The correlations were verified using the statistical analysis of the spectrally selected fluorescence radiation emitted by a laser-pumped dye-doped random medium. Water solution of Rhodamine 6G was applied as the doping fluorescent agent for the ensembles of the densely packed silica grains, which were pumped by the 532 nm radiation of a solid state laser. The spectrum of the mean path length for a random medium was reconstructed.

Holographic optical tweezers for object manipulations at an air-liquid surface.

PubMed

Jesacher, Alexander; Fürhapter, Severin; Maurer, Christian; Bernet, Stefan; Ritsch-Marte, Monika

2006-06-26

We investigate holographic optical tweezers manipulating micro-beads at a suspended air-liquid interface. Axial confinement of the particles in the two-dimensional interface is maintained by the interplay between surface tension and gravity. Therefore, optical trapping of the micro-beads is possible even with a long distance air objective. Efficient micro-circulation of the liquid can be induced by fast rotating beads, driven by the orbital angular momentum transfer of incident Laguerre-Gaussian (doughnut) laser modes. Our setup allows various ways of creating a tailored dynamic flow of particles and liquid within the surface. We demonstrate examples of surface manipulations like efficient vortex pumps and mixers, interactive particle flow steering by arrays of vortex pumps, the feasibility of achieving a "clocked" traffic of micro beads, and size-selective guiding of beads along optical "conveyor belts".

Advanced helium magnetometer for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Slocum, Robert E.

1987-01-01

The goal of this effort was demonstration of the concepts for an advanced helium magnetometer which meets the demands of future NASA earth orbiting, interplanetary, solar, and interstellar missions. The technical effort focused on optical pumping of helium with tunable solid state lasers. We were able to demonstrate the concept of a laser pumped helium magnetometer with improved accuracy, low power, and sensitivity of the order of 1 pT. A number of technical approaches were investigated for building a solid state laser tunable to the helium absorption line at 1083 nm. The laser selected was an Nd-doped LNA crystal pumped by a diode laser. Two laboratory versions of the lanthanum neodymium hexa-aluminate (LNA) laser were fabricated and used to conduct optical pumping experiments in helium and demonstrate laser pumped magnetometer concepts for both the low field vector mode and the scalar mode of operation. A digital resonance spectrometer was designed and built in order to evaluate the helium resonance signals and observe scalar magnetometer operation. The results indicate that the laser pumped sensor in the VHM mode is 45 times more sensitive than a lamp pumped sensor for identical system noise levels. A study was made of typical laser pumped resonance signals in the conventional magnetic resonance mode. The laser pumped sensor was operated as a scalar magnetometer, and it is concluded that magnetometers with 1 pT sensitivity can be achieved with the use of laser pumping and stable laser pump sources.

Optical pumping in a whispering mode optical waveguide

DOEpatents

Kurnit, Norman A.

1984-01-01

A device and method for optical pumping in a whispering mode optical waveguide. Both a helical ribbon and cylinder are disclosed which incorporate an additional curvature for confining the beam to increase intensity. An optical pumping medium is disposed in the optical path of the beam as it propagates along the waveguide. Optical pumping is enhanced by the high intensities of the beam and long interaction pathlengths which are achieved in a small volume.

Athermal fiber laser for the SWARM absolute scalar magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fourcault, W.; Léger, J.-M.; Costes, V.; Fratter, I.; Mondin, L.

2017-11-01

The Absolute Scalar Magnetometer (ASM) developed by CEA-LETI/CNES is an optically pumped 4He magnetic field sensor based on the Zeeman effect and an electronic magnetic resonance whose effects are amplified by a laser pumping process [1-2]. Consequently, the role of the laser is to pump the 4He atoms at the D0 transition as well as to allow the magnetic resonance signal detection. The ASM will be the scalar magnetic reference instrument of the three ESA Swarm satellites to be launched in 2012 in order to carry out the best ever survey of the Earth magnetic field and its temporal evolution. The sensitivity and accuracy of this magnetometer based on 4He optical pumping depend directly on the characteristics of its light source, which is the key sub-system of the sensor. We describe in this paper the selected fiber laser architecture and its wavelength stabilization scheme. Its main performance in terms of spectral emission, optical power at 1083 nm and intensity noise characteristics in the frequency bands used for the operation of the magnetometer, are then presented. Environmental testing results (thermal vacuum cycling, vibrations, shocks and ageing) are also reported at the end of this paper.

Optically pumped isotopic ammonia laser system

DOEpatents

Buchwald, Melvin I.; Jones, Claude R.; Nelson, Leonard Y.

1982-01-01

An optically pumped isotopic ammonia laser system which is capable of producing a plurality of frequencies in the middle infrared spectral region. Two optical pumping mechanisms are disclosed, i.e., pumping on R(J) and lasing on P(J) in response to enhancement of rotational cascade lasing including stimulated Raman effects, and, pumping on R(J) and lasing on P(J+2). The disclosed apparatus for optical pumping include a hole coupled cavity and a grating coupled cavity.

Pump and probe spectroscopy with continuous wave quantum cascade lasers.

PubMed

Kirkbride, James M R; Causier, Sarah K; Dalton, Andrew R; Weidmann, Damien; Ritchie, Grant A D

2014-02-07

This paper details infra-red pump and probe studies on nitric oxide conducted with two continuous wave quantum cascade lasers both operating around 5 μm. The pump laser prepares a velocity selected population in a chosen rotational quantum state of the v = 1 level which is subsequently probed using a second laser tuned to a rotational transition within the v = 2 ← v = 1 hot band. The rapid frequency scan of the probe (with respect to the molecular collision rate) in combination with the velocity selective pumping allows observation of marked rapid passage signatures in the transient absorption profiles from the polarized vibrationally excited sample. These coherent transient signals are influenced by the underlying hyperfine structure of the pump and probe transitions, the sample pressure, and the coherent properties of the lasers. Pulsed pump and probe studies show that the transient absorption signals decay within 1 μs at 50 mTorr total pressure, reflecting both the polarization and population dephasing times of the vibrationally excited sample. The experimental observations are supported by simulation based upon solving the optical Bloch equations for a two level system.

Optical pumping in a whispering-mode optical waveguide

DOEpatents

Kurnit, N.A.

1981-08-11

A device and method for optical pumping in a whispering mode optical waveguide are described. Both a helical ribbon and cylinder are disclosed which incorporate an additional curvature for confining the beam to increase intensity. An optical pumping medium is disposed in the optical path of the beam as it propagates along the waveguide. Optical pumping is enhanced by the high intensities of the beam and long interaction path lengths which are achieved in a small volume.

Highly nonlinear organic crystal OHQ-T for efficient ultra-broadband terahertz wave generation beyond 10 THz.

PubMed

Kang, Bong Joo; Baek, In Hyung; Lee, Seung-Heon; Kim, Won Tae; Lee, Seung-Jun; Jeong, Young Uk; Kwon, O-Pil; Rotermund, Fabian

2016-05-16

We report on efficient generation of ultra-broadband terahertz (THz) waves via optical rectification in a novel nonlinear organic crystal with acentric core structure, i.e. 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)-1-methylquinolinium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (OHQ-T), which possesses an ideal molecular structure leading to a maximized nonlinear optical response for near-infrared-pumped THz wave generation. By systematic studies on wavelength-dependent phase-matching conditions in OHQ-T crystals of different thicknesses we are able to generate coherent THz waves with a high peak-to-peak electric field amplitude of up to 650 kV/cm and an upper cut-off frequency beyond 10 THz. High optical-to-THz conversion efficiency of 0.31% is achieved by efficient index matching with a selective pumping at 1300 nm.

Linearly polarized pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 microchip laser for Ince-Gaussian laser modes with controllable orientations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Hong-Sen; Zhang, Ming-Ming; Dong, Jun; Ueda, Ken-Ichi

2016-12-01

A tilted, linearly polarized laser diode end-pumped Cr4+:YAG passively Q-switched a-cut Nd:YVO4 microchip laser for generating numerous Ince-Gaussian (IG) laser modes with controllable orientations has been demonstrated by selecting the crystalline orientation of an a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal. The same IG laser mode with different orientations has been achieved with the same absorbed pump power in a passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 microchip laser under linearly polarized pumping when the incident pump power and the crystalline orientation of an a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal are both properly selected. The significant improvement of pulsed laser performance of controllable IG modes has been achieved by selecting the crystalline orientation of an a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal. The maximum pulse energy is obtained along the a-axis of an a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal and the highest peak power is achieved along the c-axis of an a-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal, respectively, which has potential applications on quantum computation and optical manipulation. The generation of controllable IG laser modes in microchip lasers under linearly polarized pumping provides a convenient and universal way to control IG laser mode numbers with anisotropic crystal as a gain medium.

Effect of wetting-layer density of states on the gain and phase recovery dynamics of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho; Yu, Bong-Ahn

2015-03-01

We numerically investigate the effect of the wetting-layer (WL) density of states on the gain and phase recovery dynamics of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers in both electrical and optical pumping schemes by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The temporal variations of the ultrafast gain and phase recovery responses at the ground state (GS) are calculated as a function of the WL density of states. The ultrafast gain recovery responses do not significantly depend on the WL density of states in the electrical pumping scheme and the three optical pumping schemes such as the optical pumping to the WL, the optical pumping to the excited state ensemble, and the optical pumping to the GS ensemble. The ultrafast phase recovery responses are also not significantly affected by the WL density of states except the optical pumping to the WL, where the phase recovery component caused by the WL becomes slowed down as the WL density of states increases.

Narrowband diode laser pump module for pumping alkali vapors.

PubMed

Rotondaro, M D; Zhdanov, B V; Shaffer, M K; Knize, R J

2018-04-16

We describe a method of line narrowing and frequency-locking a diode laser stack to an alkali atomic line for use as a pump module for Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers. The pump module consists of a 600 W antireflection coated diode laser stack configured to lase using an external cavity. The line narrowing and frequency locking is accomplished by introducing a narrowband polarization filter based on magneto-optical Faraday effect into the external cavity, which selectively transmits only the frequencies that are in resonance with the 6 2 S 1/2 → 6 2 P 3/2 transition of Cs atoms. The resulting pump module has demonstrated that a diode laser stack, which lases with a line width of 3 THz without narrowbanding, can be narrowed to 10 GHz. The line narrowed pump module produced 518 Watts that is 80% of the power generated by the original broadband diode laser stack.

Electron beam pumped semiconductor laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hug, William F. (Inventor); Reid, Ray D. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

Electron-beam-pumped semiconductor ultra-violet optical sources (ESUVOSs) are disclosed that use ballistic electron pumped wide bandgap semiconductor materials. The sources may produce incoherent radiation and take the form of electron-beam-pumped light emitting triodes (ELETs). The sources may produce coherent radiation and take the form of electron-beam-pumped laser triodes (ELTs). The ELTs may take the form of electron-beam-pumped vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (EVCSEL) or edge emitting electron-beam-pumped lasers (EEELs). The semiconductor medium may take the form of an aluminum gallium nitride alloy that has a mole fraction of aluminum selected to give a desired emission wavelength, diamond, or diamond-like carbon (DLC). The sources may be produced from discrete components that are assembled after their individual formation or they may be produced using batch MEMS-type or semiconductor-type processing techniques to build them up in a whole or partial monolithic manner, or combination thereof.

Theoretical model and simulations for a cw exciplex pumped alkali laser.

PubMed

Huang, Wei; Tan, Rongqing; Li, Zhiyong; Lu, Xiaochuan

2015-12-14

The Exciplex Pumped Alkali Laser (XPAL) system, which is similar to DPAL (Diode Pumped Alkali vapor Laser), has been demonstrated in mixtures of Cs vapor, Ar, with and without ethane. Unlike DPAL, it uses the broadband absorption blue satellite of the alkali D₂ line, created by naturally occuring collision pairs. For example, Cs-Ar collision pairs have an absorption width which is as wide as the one of commercial semiconductor diode lasers. A continuous wave XPAL four-level theoretical model is presented in this paper. More factors are considered, such as the spectral dependence of pumped laser absorption for broadband pumping and the longitudinal population variation. Some intra-cavity details, such as longitudinal distributions of pumped laser and alkali laser, can also be solved well. The predictions of optical-to-optical efficiency as a function of temperature and pumped laser intensity are presented. The model predicts that there is an optimum value of temperature or pumped laser intensity. The analysis of the influence of cell length on optical-to-optical efficiency shows that a better performance can be achieved when using longer cell. The prediction of influence of Ar concentration and reflectivity of output coupler shows that higher optical-to-optical efficiency could be achieved if lower reflectivity of output coupler and higher Ar concentration are used. The optical-to-optical efficiency as high as 84% achieved by optimizing configuration with the pumped intensity of 5 × 10⁷ W/cm² presented shows that broadband pumped four-level XPAL system has a potential of high optical-to-optical efficiency.

Continuous-wave and acousto-optically Q-switched 1066 nm laser performance of a novel Nd:GdTaO4 crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Yufei; He, Ying; Peng, Zhenfang; Sun, Haiyue; Peng, Fang; Yan, Renpeng; Li, Xudong; Yu, Xin; Zhang, Qingli; Ding, Shoujun

2018-05-01

A diode-pumped acousto-optically (AO) Q-switched 1066 nm laser with a novel Nd:GdTaO4 crystal was demonstrated for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The optimization selection of output coupler was carried out in the continuous-wave (CW) operation. After that the pulsed Nd:GdTaO4 laser performances using different modulation repetition rates of 10 kHz and 20 kHz were investigated. At an absorbed pump power of 10 W and repetition rates of 10 kHz, the obtained minimum pulse width was 28 ns and the maximum peak power was 5.4 kW.

Luminorefrigeration: vibrational cooling of NaCs.

PubMed

Wakim, A; Zabawa, P; Haruza, M; Bigelow, N P

2012-07-02

We demonstrate the use of optical pumping of kinetically ultracold NaCs to cool an initial vibrational distribution of electronic ground state molecules X(1)Σ(+)(v ≥ 4) into the vibrational ground state X(1)Σ(+)(v=0). Our approach is based on the use of simple, commercially available multimode diode lasers selected to optically pump population into X(1)Σ(+)(v=0). We investigate the impact of the cooling process on the rotational state distribution of the vibrational ground state, and observe that an initial distribution, J(initial)=0-2 is only moderately affected resulting in J(final)=0-4. This method provides an inexpensive approach to creation of vibrational ground state ultracold polar molecules.

Generation and spectroscopic signatures of a fractional quantum Hall liquid of photons in an incoherently pumped optical cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umucalılar, R. O.; Carusotto, I.

2017-11-01

We investigate theoretically a driven dissipative model of strongly interacting photons in a nonlinear optical cavity in the presence of a synthetic magnetic field. We show the possibility of using a frequency-dependent incoherent pump to create a strongly correlated ν =1 /2 bosonic Laughlin state of light: Due to the incompressibility of the Laughlin state, fluctuations in the total particle number and excitation of edge modes can be tamed by imposing a suitable external potential profile for photons. We further propose angular-momentum-selective spectroscopy of the emitted light as a tool to obtain unambiguous signatures of the microscopic physics of the quantum Hall liquid of light.

Fast and wide tuning wavelength-swept source based on dispersion-tuned fiber optical parametric oscillator.

PubMed

Zhou, Yue; Cheung, Kim K Y; Li, Qin; Yang, Sigang; Chui, P C; Wong, Kenneth K Y

2010-07-15

We demonstrate a dispersion-tuned fiber optical parametric oscillator (FOPO)-based swept source with a sweep rate of 40 kHz and a wavelength tuning range of 109 nm around 1550 nm. The cumulative speed exceeds 4,000,000 nm/s. The FOPO is pumped by a sinusoidally modulated pump, which is driven by a clock sweeping linearly from 1 to 1.0006 GHz. A spool of dispersion-compensating fiber is added inside the cavity to perform dispersion tuning. The instantaneous linewidth is 0.8 nm without the use of any wavelength selective element inside the cavity. 1 GHz pulses with pulse width of 150 ps are generated.

Phase Recovery Acceleration of Quantum-Dot Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers by Optical Pumping to Quantum-Well Wetting Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho

2013-11-01

We theoretically investigate the phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) by means of the optical pump injection to the quantum-well (QW) wetting layer (WL). We compare the ultrafast gain and phase recovery responses of QD SOAs in either the electrical or the optical pumping scheme by numerically solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The ultrafast gain recovery responses on the order of sub-picosecond are nearly the same for the two pumping schemes. The ultrafast phase recovery is not significantly accelerated by increasing the electrical current density, but greatly improved by increasing the optical pumping power to the QW WL. Because the phase recovery time of QD SOAs with the optical pumping scheme can be reduced down to several picoseconds, the complete phase recovery can be achieved when consecutive pulse signals with a repetition rate of 100 GHz is injected.

2-Micron Laser Transmitter for Coherent CO2 DIAL Measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.; Bai, Yingxin; Yu, Jirong

2009-01-01

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been recognized as one of the most important greenhouse gases. It is essential for the study of global warming to accurately measure the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and continuously record its variation. A high repetition rate, highly efficient, Q-switched 2-micron laser system as the transmitter of a coherent differential absorption lidar for CO2 measurement has been developed in NASA Langley Research Center. This laser system is capable of making a vertical profiling of CO2 from ground and column measurement of CO2 from air and space-borne platform. The transmitter is a master-slave laser system. The master laser operates in a single frequency, either on-line or off-line of a selected CO2 absorption line. The slave laser is a Q-switched ring-cavity Ho:YLF laser which is pumped by a Tm:fiber laser. The repetition rate can be adjusted from a few hundred Hz to 10 kHz. The injection seeding success rate is from 99.4% to 99.95%. For 1 kHz operation, the output pulse energy is 5.5mJ with the pulse length of 50 ns. The optical-to-optical efficiency is 39% when the pump power is 14.5W. A Ho:YLF laser operating in the range of 2.05 micrometers can be tuned over several characteristic lines of CO2 absorption. Experimentally, a diode pumped Ho:Tm:YLF laser has been successfully used as the transmitter of coherent differential absorption lidar for the measurement of CO2 with a repetition rate of 5 Hz and pulse energy of 75 mJ. For coherent detection, high repetition rate is required for speckle averaging to obtain highly precise measurements. However, a diode pumped Ho:Tm:YLF laser can not operate in high repetition rate due to the large heat loading and up-conversion. A Tm:fiber laser pumped Ho:YLF laser with low heat loading can operate in high repetition rate. A theoretical model has been established to simulate the performance of Tm:fiber laser pumped Ho:YLF lasers. For continuous wave (CW) operation, high pump intensity with small beam size is suitable for high efficiency. For Q-switched operation, the optimal energy extraction relies on the pump intensity, pump volume, and pump duration which is inversely proportion to the repetition rate. CW and Q-switched Ho:YLF lasers with different linear cavity configurations have been designed and demonstrated for a 30 W Tm:fiber pump laser. The CW Ho laser slope efficiency and optical-to-optical efficiencies reach 65% and 55%, respectively. The pulsed laser efficiency depends on the repetition rate. For 1 kHz operation, the optical-to-optical efficiency is 39% when the pump power is 14.5W. Currently, the injection seeding success rate is between 99.4% and 99.95%. After a ten thousand pulses, the standard deviation of the laser frequency jitter is about 3 MHz. It meets the requirements of highly precise CO2 concentration measurement. In conclusion, an injection seeded, high repetition rate, Q-switched Ho:YLF laser has been developed for a coherent CO2 differential absorption lidar. This master-slave laser system has high optical-to-optical efficiency and seeding success rate. It can potentially meet the requirements of the coherent detection of CO2 concentration by a differential absorption lidar technique.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kirkbride, James M. R.; Causier, Sarah K.; Dalton, Andrew R.

This paper details infra-red pump and probe studies on nitric oxide conducted with two continuous wave quantum cascade lasers both operating around 5 μm. The pump laser prepares a velocity selected population in a chosen rotational quantum state of the v = 1 level which is subsequently probed using a second laser tuned to a rotational transition within the v = 2 ← v = 1 hot band. The rapid frequency scan of the probe (with respect to the molecular collision rate) in combination with the velocity selective pumping allows observation of marked rapid passage signatures in the transient absorptionmore » profiles from the polarized vibrationally excited sample. These coherent transient signals are influenced by the underlying hyperfine structure of the pump and probe transitions, the sample pressure, and the coherent properties of the lasers. Pulsed pump and probe studies show that the transient absorption signals decay within 1 μs at 50 mTorr total pressure, reflecting both the polarization and population dephasing times of the vibrationally excited sample. The experimental observations are supported by simulation based upon solving the optical Bloch equations for a two level system.« less

All optical wavelength broadcast based on simultaneous Type I QPM broadband SFG and SHG in MgO:PPLN.

PubMed

Gong, Mingjun; Chen, Yuping; Lu, Feng; Chen, Xianfeng

2010-08-15

We experimentally demonstrate wavelength broadcast based on simultaneous Type I quasi-phase-matched (QPM) broadband sum-frequency generation (SFG) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) in 5 mol.% MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate (MgO:PPLN). One signal has been synchronously converted into seven different wavelengths using two pumps at a 1.5 microm band via quadratic cascaded nonlinear wavelength conversion. By selecting different pump regions, i.e., selecting different cascaded chi((2)):chi((2)) interactions, the flexible wavelength conversions with shifting from one signal to single, double, and triple channels were also demonstrated.

Future directions in 980-nm pump lasers: submarine deployment to low-cost watt-class terrestrial pumps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gulgazov, Vadim N.; Jackson, Gordon S.; Lascola, Kevin M.; Major, Jo S.; Parke, Ross; Richard, Tim; Rossin, Victor V.; Zhang, Kai

1999-09-01

The demands of global bandwidth and distribution are rising rapidly as Internet usage grows. This fundamentally means that more photons are flowing within optical cables. While transmitting sources launches some optical power, the majority of the optical power that is present within modern telecommunication systems originates from optical amplifiers. In addition, modern optical amplifiers offer flat optical gain over broad wavelength bands, thus making possible dense wavelength de-multiplexing (DWDM) systems. Optical amplifier performance, and by extension the performance of the laser pumps that drive them, is central to the future growth of both optical transmission and distribution systems. Erbium-doped amplifiers currently dominate optical amplifier usage. These amplifiers absorb pump light at 980 nm and/or 1480 nm, and achieve gain at wavelengths around 1550 nm. 980 nm pumps achieve better noise figures and are therefore used for the amplification of small signals. Due to the quantum defect, 1480 nm lasers deliver more signal photon per incident photon. In addition, 1480 nm lasers are less expensive than 980 nm lasers. Thus, 1480 nm pump lasers are used for amplification in situations where noise is not critical. The combination of these traits leads to the situation where many amplifiers contain 980 nm lasers to pump the input section of the Er- doped fiber with 1480 nm lasers being used to pump the latter section of Er fiber. This can be thought of as using 980 nm lasers to power an optical pre-amplifier with the power amplification function being pump with 1480 nm radiation. This paper will focus on 980 nm pump lasers and the impact that advances in 980 nm pump technology will have on optical amplification systems. Currently, 980 nm technology is rapidly advancing in two areas, power and reliability. Improving reliability is becoming increasingly important as amplifiers move towards employing more pump lasers and using these pump lasers without redundancy. Since the failure rate allowable for an amplifier is not a function of the number of pumps employed in the amplifier, the allowable failure rate of an individual pump laser is decreasing for next-generation amplifiers. This will lead to specifications for terrestrial pumps well below 1000 FIT, and may lead to the case where high power amplifiers need laser pump reliability to approach 100 FIT. In addition, 980 nm laser diodes are now being deployed in submarine systems where failure rates lower than 100 FIT are commonly specified. It is obvious that both terrestrial and submarine markets are pushing allowable failure rates for pumps for optical amplifiers to continually decrease. A second push for improvement is in the output power of 980 nm pump modules. There exist a number of motivations for increasing the output power of pump lasers. First, each additional channel in a DWDM system requires additional power. To first order, a doubling in channel count implies a doubling in pump power. Second, larger amplifiers require multiple pumps. Higher output power from pump modules allows for fewer pumps, less complicated control systems and smaller size amplifiers. The discussion of this paper will focus on how current development progress of 980 nm laser diodes addresses these issues: better reliability and higher output powers.

Tunable pulsed narrow bandwidth light source

DOEpatents

Powers, Peter E.; Kulp, Thomas J.

2002-01-01

A tunable pulsed narrow bandwidth light source and a method of operating a light source are provided. The light source includes a pump laser, first and second non-linear optical crystals, a tunable filter, and light pulse directing optics. The method includes the steps of operating the pump laser to generate a pulsed pump beam characterized by a nanosecond pulse duration and arranging the light pulse directing optics so as to (i) split the pulsed pump beam into primary and secondary pump beams; (ii) direct the primary pump beam through an input face of the first non-linear optical crystal such that a primary output beam exits from an output face of the first non-linear optical crystal; (iii) direct the primary output beam through the tunable filter to generate a sculpted seed beam; and direct the sculpted seed beam and the secondary pump beam through an input face of the second non-linear optical crystal such that a secondary output beam characterized by at least one spectral bandwidth on the order of about 0.1 cm.sup.-1 and below exits from an output face of the second non-linear optical crystal.

Study on the amplifier experiment of end-pumped long pulse slab laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Quanwei; Chen, Xiaoming; Jiang, JianFeng; Pang, Yu; Tong, Lixin; Li, Mi; Hu, Hao; Lv, Wenqiang; Gao, Qingsong; Tang, Chun

2018-03-01

The amplifier experiment research of end-pumped long pulse slab laser is developed, the results of out-put energy, optical-optical efficiency and pulse waveform are obtained at different experiment conditions, such as peak pumped power, amplifier power and pumped pulse width. The seed laser is CW fundamental transverse-mode operation fiber laser, the laser medium is composited Nd:YAG slab. Under end-pumped and the 2 passes, the laser obtain 7.65J out-put energy and 43.1% optical-optical efficiency with 45kW peak-pumped power and 386μs pump pulse width. The experimental results provide the basic for the optimization design to high frequency, high energy and high beam-quality slab lasers.

Effect of additional optical pumping injection into the ground-state ensemble on the gain and the phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho

2014-02-01

The effect of additional optical pumping injection into the ground-state ensemble on the ultrafast gain and the phase recovery dynamics of electrically-driven quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers is numerically investigated by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The ultrafast gain and the phase recovery responses are calculated with respect to the additional optical pumping power. Increasing the additional optical pumping power can significantly accelerate the ultrafast phase recovery, which cannot be done by increasing the injection current density.

Pump-Induced, Dual-Frequency Switching in a Short-Cavity, Ytterbium-Doped Fiber Laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guan, W.; Marciante, J.R.

2008-07-23

Using a short linear cavity composed of a section of highly ytterbium-doped fiber surrounded by two fiber Bragg gratings, dual frequency switching is achieved by tuning the pump power of the laser. The dual-frequency switching is generated by the thermal effects of the absorbed pump in the ytterbium-doped fiber. At each frequency, the laser shows single-longitudinal-mode behavior. In each single-mode regime, the optical signal-to-noise ratio of the laser is greater than 50 dB. The dual-frequency, switchable, fiber laser can be designed for various applications by the careful selection of the two gratings.

Methods and devices based on brillouin selective sideband amplification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, X. Steve (Inventor)

2003-01-01

Opto-electronic devices and techniques using Brillouin scattering to select a sideband in a modulated optical carrier signal for amplification. Two lasers respectively provide a carrier signal beam and a Brillouin pump beam which are fed into an Brillouin optical medium in opposite directions. The relative frequency separation between the lasers is adjusted to align the frequency of the backscattered Brillouin signal with a desired sideband in the carrier signal to effect a Brillouin gain on the sideband. This effect can be used to implement photonic RF signal mixing and conversion with gain, conversion from phase modulation to amplitude modulation, photonic RF frequency multiplication, optical and RF pulse generation and manipulation, and frequency-locking of lasers.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henn, T.; Kiessling, T., E-mail: tobias.kiessling@physik.uni-wuerzburg.de; Ossau, W.

We describe a two-color pump-probe scanning magneto-optical Kerr effect microscope which we have developed to investigate electron spin phenomena in semiconductors at cryogenic temperatures with picosecond time and micrometer spatial resolution. The key innovation of our microscope is the usage of an ultrafast “white light” supercontinuum fiber-laser source which provides access to the whole visible and near-infrared spectral range. Our Kerr microscope allows for the independent selection of the excitation and detection energy while avoiding the necessity to synchronize the pulse trains of two separate picosecond laser systems. The ability to independently tune the pump and probe wavelength enables themore » investigation of the influence of excitation energy on the optically induced electron spin dynamics in semiconductors. We demonstrate picosecond real-space imaging of the diffusive expansion of optically excited electron spin packets in a (110) GaAs quantum well sample to illustrate the capabilities of the instrument.« less

Laser excitation dynamics of argon metastables generated in atmospheric pressure flows by microwave frequency microplasma arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rawlins, W. T.; Galbally-Kinney, K. L.; Davis, S. J.; Hoskinson, A. R.; Hopwood, J. A.

2014-03-01

The optically pumped rare-gas metastable laser is a chemically inert analogue to diode-pumped alkali (DPAL) and alkali-exciplex (XPAL) laser systems. Scaling of these devices requires efficient generation of electronically excited metastable atoms in a continuous-wave electric discharge in flowing gas mixtures at atmospheric pressure. This paper describes initial investigations of the use of linear microwave micro-discharge arrays to generate metastable rare-gas atoms at atmospheric pressure in optical pump-and-probe experiments for laser development. Power requirements to ignite and sustain the plasma at 1 atm are low, <30 W. We report on the laser excitation dynamics of argon metastables, Ar (4s, 1s5) (Paschen notation), generated in flowing mixtures of Ar and He at 1 atm. Tunable diode laser absorption measurements indicate Ar(1s5) concentrations near 3 × 1012 cm-3 at 1 atm. The metastables are optically pumped by absorption of a focused beam from a continuous-wave Ti:S laser, and spectrally selected fluorescence is observed with an InGaAs camera and an InGaAs array spectrometer. We observe the optical excitation of the 1s5-->2p9 transition at 811.5 nm and the corresponding laser-induced fluorescence on the 2p10-->1s5 transition at 912.3 nm; the 2p10 state is efficiently populated by collisional energy transfer from 2p9. Using tunable diode laser absorption/gain spectroscopy, we observe small-signal gains of ~1 cm-1 over a 1.9 cm path. We also observe stable, continuous-wave laser oscillation at 912.3 nm, with preliminary optical efficiency ~55%. These results are consistent with efficient collisional coupling within the Ar(4s) manifold.

Design and Simulation of Optically Actuated Bistable MEMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucas, Thomas; Moiseeva, Evgeniya; Harnett, Cindy

2012-02-01

In this project, bistable three-dimensional MEMS actuators are designed to be optically switched between stable states for biological research applications. The structure is a strained rectangular frame created with stress-mismatched metal-oxide bilayers. The devices curl into an arc in one of two directions tangent to the substrate, and can switch orientation when regions are selectively heated. The heating is powered by infrared laser, and localized with patterned infrared-resonant gold nanoparticles on critical regions. The enhanced energy absorption on selected areas provides switching control and heightened response to narrow-band infrared light. Coventorware has been used for finite element analysis of the system. The numerical simulations indicate that it has two local minimum states with extremely rapid transition time (<<0.1 s) when the structure is thermally deformed. Actuation at laser power and thermal limits compatible with physiological applications will enable microfluidic pumping elements and fundamental studies of tissue response to three-dimensional mechanical stimuli, artificial-muscle based pumps and other biomedical devices triggered by tissue-permeant infrared light.

Highly Efficient Nd:yag Lasers for Free-space Optical Communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sipes, D. L., Jr.

1985-01-01

A highly efficient Nd:YAG laser end-pumped by semiconductor lasers as a possible free-space optical communications source is discussed. Because this concept affords high pumping densities, a long absorption length, and excellent mode-matching characteristics, it is estimated that electrical-to-optical efficiencies greater than 5% could be achieved. Several engineering aspects such as resonator size and configuration, pump collecting optics, and thermal effects are also discussed. Finally, possible methods for combining laser-diode pumps to achieve higher output powers are illustrated.

Novel artificial optical annular structures in the high latitude ionosphere over EISCAT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosch, M. J.; Rietveld, M. T.; Senior, A.; McCrea, I. W.; Kavanagh, A. J.; Isham, B.; Honary, F.

2004-06-01

The EISCAT low-gain HF facility has been used repeatedly to produce artificially stimulated optical emissions in the F-layer ionosphere over northern Scandinavia. On 12 November 2001, the high-gain HF facility was used for the first time. The pump beam zenith angle was moved in 3° steps along the north-south meridian from 3°N to 15°S, with one pump cycle per position. Only when pumping in the 9°S position were annular optical structures produced quite unexpectedly. The annuli were approximately centred on the pump beam but outside the -3 dB locus. The optical signature appears to form a cylinder, which was magnetic field-aligned, rising above the pump wave reflection altitude. The annulus always collapsed into the well-known optical blobs after ~60 s, whilst descending many km in altitude. All other pump beam directions produced optical blobs only. The EISCAT UHF radar, which was scanning from 3° to 15°S zenith angle, shows that enhanced ion-line backscatter persisted throughout the pump on period and followed the morphology of the optical signature. These observations provide the first experimental evidence that Langmuir turbulence can accelerate electrons sufficiently to produce the optical emissions at high latitudes. Why the optical annulus forms, and for only one zenith angle, remains unexplained.

Efficient Dual Head Nd:YAG 100mJ Oscillator for Remote Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coyle, Donald B.; Stysley, Paul R.; Kay, Richard b.; Poulios, Demetrios

2007-01-01

A diode pumped, Nd:YAG laser producing 100 mJ Q-switched pulses and employing a dual-pump head scheme in an unstable resonator configuration is described. Each head contains a side pumped zig-zag slab and four 6-bar QCW 808 nm diodes arrays which are de-rated 23%. Denoting 'z' as the lasing axis, the pump directions were along the x-axis in one head and the y-axis in the other, producing a circularized thermal lens, more typical in laser rod-based cavities. The dual head design's effective thermal lens is now corrected with a proper HR mirror curvature selection. This laser has demonstrated over 100 mJ output with high optical efficiency (24%), good TEM(sub 00) beam quality, and high pointing stability.

Influence of optical pumping wavelength on the ultrafast gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho

2013-10-01

We numerically investigate the influence of the optical pumping wavelength on the ultrafast gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The temporal variations of the gain and phase recovery response at the ground state (GS) of QDs are calculated at various signal wavelengths when the optical pumping wavelengths at the excited state (ES) of QDs are varied. The phase recovery response is fastest when the wavelength of the signal and pumping beams corresponds to the respective emission wavelength of the GS and the ES in the same size of QDs. The absorption efficiency of the optical pumping beam at the ES is determined by the Lorentzian line shape function of the homogeneous broadening.

1300 nm optically pumped quantum dot spin vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alharthi, S. S., E-mail: ssmalh@essex.ac.uk; Henning, I. D.; Adams, M. J.

We report a room temperature optically pumped Quantum Dot-based Spin-Vertical-External-Cavity Surface-Emitting laser (QD Spin-VECSEL) operating at the telecom wavelength of 1.3 μm. The active medium was composed of 5 × 3 QD layers; each threefold group was positioned at an antinode of the standing wave of the optical field. Circularly polarized lasing in the QD-VECSEL under Continuous-Wave optical pumping has been realized with a threshold pump power of 11 mW. We further demonstrate at room temperature control of the QD-VECSEL output polarization ellipticity via the pump polarization.

Multi-point laser ignition device

DOEpatents

McIntyre, Dustin L.; Woodruff, Steven D.

2017-01-17

A multi-point laser device comprising a plurality of optical pumping sources. Each optical pumping source is configured to create pumping excitation energy along a corresponding optical path directed through a high-reflectivity mirror and into substantially different locations within the laser media thereby producing atomic optical emissions at substantially different locations within the laser media and directed along a corresponding optical path of the optical pumping source. An output coupler and one or more output lenses are configured to produce a plurality of lasing events at substantially different times, locations or a combination thereof from the multiple atomic optical emissions produced at substantially different locations within the laser media. The laser media is a single continuous media, preferably grown on a single substrate.

High power pumped MID-IR wavelength devices using nonlinear frequency mixing (NFM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Steven (Inventor); Lang, Robert J. (Inventor); Waarts, Robert G. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

Laser diode pumped mid-IR wavelength sources include at least one high power, near-IR wavelength, injection and/or sources wherein one or both of such sources may be tunable providing a pump wave output beam to a quasi-phase matched (QPM) nonlinear frequency mixing (NFM) device. The NFM device may be a difference frequency mixing (DFM) device or an optical parametric oscillation (OPO) device. Wavelength tuning of at least one of the sources advantageously provides the ability for optimizing pump or injection wavelengths to match the QPM properties of the NFM device enabling a broad range of mid-IR wavelength selectivity. Also, pump powers are gain enhanced by the addition of a rare earth amplifier or oscillator, or a Raman/Brillouin amplifier or oscillator between the high power source and the NFM device. Further, polarization conversion using Raman or Brillouin wavelength shifting is provided to optimize frequency conversion efficiency in the NFM device.

High power pumped mid-IR wavelength systems using nonlinear frequency mixing (NFM) devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Steven (Inventor); Lang, Robert J. (Inventor); Waarts, Robert G. (Inventor)

1999-01-01

Laser diode pumped mid-IR wavelength systems include at least one high power, near-IR wavelength, injection and/or sources wherein one or both of such sources may be tunable providing a pump wave output beam to a quasi-phase matched (QPM) nonlinear frequency mixing (NFM) device. The NFM device may be a difference frequency mixing (DFM) device or an optical parametric oscillation (OPO) device. Wavelength tuning of at least one of the sources advantageously provides the ability for optimizing pump or injection wavelengths to match the QPM properties of the NFM device enabling a broad range of mid-IR wavelength selectivity. Also, pump powers are gain enhanced by the addition of a rare earth amplifier or oscillator, or a Raman/Brillouin amplifier or oscillator between the high power source and the NFM device. Further, polarization conversion using Raman or Brillouin wavelength shifting is provided to optimize frequency conversion efficiency in the NFM device.

Near-Infrared Laser Pumped Intersubband THz Laser Gain in InGaAs-AlAsSb-InP Quantum Wells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, An-Sheng; Ning, Cun-Zheng

1999-01-01

We investigate the possibility of using InGaAs-AlAsSb-InP coupled quantum wells to generate THz radiation by means of intersubband optical pumping. We show that large conduction band offsets of these quantum wells make it possible to use conventional near-infrared diode lasers around 1.55 micron as pump sources. Taking into account the pump-probe coherent interaction and the optical nonlinearity for the pump field, we calculate the THz gain of the quantum well structure. We show that resonant Raman scattering enhances the THz gain at low and moderate optical pumping levels. When the pump intensity is strong, the THz gain is reduced by pump-induced population redistribution and pump-probe coherent interactions.

All-optical short pulse translation through cross-phase modulation in a VO₂ thin film.

PubMed

Fardad, Shima; Das, Susobhan; Salandrino, Alessandro; Breckenfeld, Eric; Kim, Heungsoo; Wu, Judy; Hui, Rongqing

2016-01-15

VO2 is a promising material for reconfigurable photonic devices due to the ultrafast changes in electronic and optical properties associated with its dielectric-to-metal phase transition. Based on a fiber-optic, pump-probe setup at 1550 nm wavelength window, and by varying the pump-pulse duration, we show that the material phase transition is primarily caused by the pump-pulse energy. For the first time, we demonstrate that the instantaneous optical phase modulation of probe during pump leading edge can be utilized to create short optical pulses at probe wavelength, through optical frequency discrimination. This circumvents the impact of long recovery time well known for the phase transition of VO2.

Biological research by optically pumped far infrared lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhengyu, Mi

1989-05-01

The FIR breeding for paddy rice, black bean and wheat, the chlorophyll mutation of paddy rice induced by optically pumped FIR laser, etc., are presented. The results of SDS electrophoresis analysis of soluble proteins of Drosophita melanrgaster irradiated by optically pumped FIR laser are described and discussed.

Discriminating Bio-aerosols from Non-Bio-aerosols in Real-Time by Pump-Probe Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Sousa, Gustavo; Gaulier, Geoffrey; Bonacina, Luigi; Wolf, Jean-Pierre

2016-01-01

The optical identification of bioaerosols in the atmosphere and its discrimination against combustion related particles is a major issue for real-time, field compatible instruments. In the present paper, we show that by embedding advanced pump-probe depletion spectroscopy schemes in a portable instrument, it is possible to discriminate amino acid containing airborne particles (bacteria, humic particles, etc.) from poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing combustion particles (Diesel droplets, soot, vehicle exhausts) with high selectivity. Our real-time, multi-modal device provides, in addition to the pump-probe depletion information, fluorescence spectra (over 32 channels), fluorescence lifetime and Mie scattering patterns of each individually flowing particle in the probed air. PMID:27619546

Discriminating Bio-aerosols from Non-Bio-aerosols in Real-Time by Pump-Probe Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, Gustavo; Gaulier, Geoffrey; Bonacina, Luigi; Wolf, Jean-Pierre

2016-09-01

The optical identification of bioaerosols in the atmosphere and its discrimination against combustion related particles is a major issue for real-time, field compatible instruments. In the present paper, we show that by embedding advanced pump-probe depletion spectroscopy schemes in a portable instrument, it is possible to discriminate amino acid containing airborne particles (bacteria, humic particles, etc.) from poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing combustion particles (Diesel droplets, soot, vehicle exhausts) with high selectivity. Our real-time, multi-modal device provides, in addition to the pump-probe depletion information, fluorescence spectra (over 32 channels), fluorescence lifetime and Mie scattering patterns of each individually flowing particle in the probed air.

Discriminating Bio-aerosols from Non-Bio-aerosols in Real-Time by Pump-Probe Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Sousa, Gustavo; Gaulier, Geoffrey; Bonacina, Luigi; Wolf, Jean-Pierre

2016-09-13

The optical identification of bioaerosols in the atmosphere and its discrimination against combustion related particles is a major issue for real-time, field compatible instruments. In the present paper, we show that by embedding advanced pump-probe depletion spectroscopy schemes in a portable instrument, it is possible to discriminate amino acid containing airborne particles (bacteria, humic particles, etc.) from poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing combustion particles (Diesel droplets, soot, vehicle exhausts) with high selectivity. Our real-time, multi-modal device provides, in addition to the pump-probe depletion information, fluorescence spectra (over 32 channels), fluorescence lifetime and Mie scattering patterns of each individually flowing particle in the probed air.

Gain statistics of a fiber optical parametric amplifier with a temporally incoherent pump.

PubMed

Xu, Y Q; Murdoch, S G

2010-03-15

We present an investigation of the statistics of the gain fluctuations of a fiber optical parametric amplifier pumped with a temporally incoherent pump. We derive a simple expression for the probability distribution of the gain of the amplified optical signal. The gain statistics are shown to be a strong function of the signal detuning and allow the possibility of generating optical gain distributions with controllable long-tails. Very good agreement is found between this theory and the experimentally measured gain distributions of an incoherently pumped amplifier.

Fiber optics interface for a dye laser oscillator and method

DOEpatents

Johnson, Steve A.; Seppala, Lynn G.

1986-01-01

A dye laser oscillator in which one light beam is used to pump a continuous tream of dye within a cooperating dye chamber for producing a second, different beam is generally disclosed herein along with a specific arrangement including an optical fiber and a fiber optics interface for directing the pumping beam into the dye chamber. The specific fiber optics interface illustrated includes three cooperating lenses which together image one particular dimension of the pumping beam into the dye chamber from the output end of the optical fiber in order to insure that the dye chamber is properly illuminated by the pumping beam.

Hybrid chirped pulse amplification system

DOEpatents

Barty, Christopher P.; Jovanovic, Igor

2005-03-29

A hybrid chirped pulse amplification system wherein a short-pulse oscillator generates an oscillator pulse. The oscillator pulse is stretched to produce a stretched oscillator seed pulse. A pump laser generates a pump laser pulse. The stretched oscillator seed pulse and the pump laser pulse are directed into an optical parametric amplifier producing an optical parametric amplifier output amplified signal pulse and an optical parametric amplifier output unconverted pump pulse. The optical parametric amplifier output amplified signal pulse and the optical parametric amplifier output laser pulse are directed into a laser amplifier producing a laser amplifier output pulse. The laser amplifier output pulse is compressed to produce a recompressed hybrid chirped pulse amplification pulse.

Fiber optics interface for a dye laser oscillator and method

DOEpatents

Johnson, S.A.; Seppala, L.G.

1984-06-13

A dye laser oscillator in which one light beam is used to pump a continuous stream of dye within a cooperating dye chamber for producing a second, different beam is generally disclosed herein along with a specific arrangement including an optical fiber and a fiber optics interface for directing the pumping beam into the dye chamber. The specific fiber optics interface illustrated includes three cooperating lenses which together image one particular dimension of the pumping beam into the dye chamber from the output end of the optical fiber in order to insure that the dye chamber is properly illuminated by the pumping beam.

Tunable near- to mid-infrared pump terahertz probe spectroscopy in reflection geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, S. J.; Wang, Z. X.; Dong, T.; Wang, N. L.

2017-10-01

Strong-field mid-infrared pump-terahertz (THz) probe spectroscopy has been proven as a powerful tool for light control of different orders in strongly correlated materials. We report the construction of an ultrafast broadband infrared pump-THz probe system in reflection geometry. A two-output optical parametric amplifier is used for generating mid-infrared pulses with GaSe as the nonlinear crystal. The setup is capable of pumping bulk materials at wavelengths ranging from 1.2 μm to 15 μm and beyond, and detecting the subtle, transient photoinduced changes in the reflected electric field of the THz probe at different temperatures. As a demonstration, we present 15 μm pump-THz probe measurements of a bulk EuSbTe3 single crystal. A 0:5% transient change in the reflected THz electric field can be clearly resolved. The widely tuned pumping energy could be used in mode-selective excitation experiments and applied to many strongly correlated electron systems.

Temporal overlap estimation based on interference spectrum in CARS microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yongning; Jiang, Junfeng; Liu, Kun; Huang, Can; Wang, Shuang; Zhang, Xuezhi; Liu, Tiegen

2018-01-01

Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy has attracted lots of attention because of the advantages, such as noninvasive, label-free, chemical specificity, intrinsic three-dimension spatial resolution and so on. However, the temporal overlap of pump and Stokes has not been solved owing to the ultrafast optical pulse used in CARS microscopy. We combine interference spectrum of residual pump in Stokes path and nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE) to realize the temporal overlap of pump pulse and Stokes pulse. At first, based on the interference spectrum of pump pulse and residual pump in Stokes path, the optical delay is defined when optical path difference between pump path and Stokes path is zero. Then the relative optical delay between Stokes pulse and residual pump in PCF can be calculated by NLSE. According to the spectrum interference and NLSE, temporal overlap of pump pulse and Stokes pulse will be realized easily and the imaging speed will be improved in CARS microscopy.

Phosphate-core silica-clad Er/Yb-doped optical fiber and cladding pumped laser.

PubMed

Egorova, O N; Semjonov, S L; Velmiskin, V V; Yatsenko, Yu P; Sverchkov, S E; Galagan, B I; Denker, B I; Dianov, E M

2014-04-07

We present a composite optical fiber with a Er/Yb co-doped phosphate-glass core in a silica glass cladding as well as cladding pumped laser. The fabrication process, optical properties, and lasing parameters are described. The slope efficiency under 980 nm cladding pumping reached 39% with respect to the absorbed pump power and 28% with respect to the coupled pump power. Due to high doping level of the phosphate core optimal length was several times shorter than that of silica core fibers.

Mather-type dense plasma focus as a new optical pump for short-wavelength high-power lasers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fanning, J.J.; Kim, K.

For the first time, a Mather-type dense plasma focus (MDPF) is successfully operated as an optical pump for lasers. Rhodamine-6G dye is optically pumped using the MDPF fluorescence, producing a laser pulse 1 ..mu..s in duration and more than 50 kW in output power. No optimization is attempted either of the laser cavity or of the lasing medium concentration and volume. A brief description of the experimental setup is presented, along with a summary and discussion of the results. The advantages of the present optical pump source and, in particular, their implications for the pumping of short-wavelength lasers are discussed.

Generation of Multiple Vortex Beams with Specified Vortex Number from Lasers with Controlled Ince-Gaussian Modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Shu-Chun

2008-07-01

This study proposes a systematic method of selecting excitations of part of Ince-Gaussian modes (IGMs) and a three-lens configuration for generating multiple vortex beams with forced IGMs in the model of laser-diode (LD)-pumped solid-state lasers. Simply changing the lateral off-axis position of the tight pump beam focus on the laser crystal can produce the desired multiple optical vortex beam from the laser in a well-controlled manner using a proposed astigmatic mode converter assembled into one body with the laser cavity.

Nanophotonic Devices; Spontaneous Emission Faster than Stimulated Emission

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-02

optically pumped spontaneous emission, and electrically pumped spontaneous emission. We have observed a speedup of >300x, and we project a speedup of 2500x...The project has succeeded, both for optically pumped spontaneous emission, and electrically pumped spontaneous emission. We have observed a speedup...Fabricated Plasmonic Optical Transformer”, (with H. Choo, S. Cabrini, P.J. Schuck, X. Liang,) U.S. Patent No. 9,052,450 (Jun. 9, 2015). 2. “ Probes

Coupled opto-electronic oscillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, X. Steve (Inventor); Maleki, Lute (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A coupled opto-electronic oscillator that directly couples a laser oscillation with an electronic oscillation to simultaneously achieve a stable RF oscillation at a high frequency and ultra-short optical pulsation by mode locking with a high repetition rate and stability. Single-mode selection can be achieved even with a very long opto-electronic loop. A multimode laser can be used to pump the electronic oscillation, resulting in a high operation efficiency. The optical and the RF oscillations are correlated to each other.

Fluorescent refrigeration

DOEpatents

Epstein, Richard I.; Edwards, Bradley C.; Buchwald, Melvin I.; Gosnell, Timothy R.

1995-01-01

Fluorescent refrigeration is based on selective radiative pumping, using substantially monochromatic radiation, of quantum excitations which are then endothermically redistributed to higher energies. Ultimately, the populated energy levels radiatively deexcite emitting, on the average, more radiant energy than was initially absorbed. The material utilized to accomplish the cooling must have dimensions such that the exciting radiation is strongly absorbed, but the fluorescence may exit the material through a significantly smaller optical pathlength. Optical fibers and mirrored glasses and crystals provide this requirement.

Fluorescent refrigeration

DOEpatents

Epstein, R.I.; Edwards, B.C.; Buchwald, M.I.; Gosnell, T.R.

1995-09-05

Fluorescent refrigeration is based on selective radiative pumping, using substantially monochromatic radiation, of quantum excitations which are then endothermically redistributed to higher energies. Ultimately, the populated energy levels radiatively deexcite emitting, on the average, more radiant energy than was initially absorbed. The material utilized to accomplish the cooling must have dimensions such that the exciting radiation is strongly absorbed, but the fluorescence may exit the material through a significantly smaller optical pathlength. Optical fibers and mirrored glasses and crystals provide this requirement. 6 figs.

Thermal lens elimination by gradient-reduced zone coupling of optical beams

DOEpatents

Page, Ralph H.; Beach, Raymond J.

2000-01-01

A thermal gradient-reduced-zone laser includes a laser medium and an optically transparent plate with an index of refraction that is less than the index of refraction of the laser medium. The pump face of the laser medium is bonded to a surface of the optically transparent member. Pump light is directed through the transparent plate to optically pump the solid state laser medium. Heat conduction is mainly through the surface of the laser medium where the heat is introduced by the pump light. Heat flows in a direction opposite to that of the pump light because the side of the laser medium that is opposite to that of the pump face is not in thermal contact with a conductor and thus there is no heat flux (and hence, no temperature gradient), thus producing a thermal gradient-reduced zone. A laser cavity is formed around the laser medium such that laser light oscillating within the laser cavity reflects by total-internal-reflection from the interface between the pump face and the optically transparent plate and enters and exits through a thermal gradient-reduced zone.

CO.sub.2 optically pumped distributed feedback diode laser

DOEpatents

Rockwood, Stephen D.

1980-01-01

A diode laser optically pumped by a CO.sub.2 coherent source. Interference fringes generated by feeding the optical pumping beam against a second beam, periodically alter the reflectivity of the diode medium allowing frequency variation of the output signal by varying the impingent angle of the CO.sub.2 laser beams.

Characterization of Nonlinear Effects in Optically Pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-01

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers ( VCSELs ) are an exciting...lines A-3 X AFIT/GEOiENP/93 D-01 Abstract The nonlinear characteristics of optically pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers ( VCSELs ) are...uniformity of the VCSEL fabrication. xi Characterization of Nonlinear Effects in Optically Pumped Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers

High power resonant pumping of Tm-doped fiber amplifiers in core- and cladding-pumped configurations.

PubMed

Creeden, Daniel; Johnson, Benjamin R; Rines, Glen A; Setzler, Scott D

2014-11-17

We have demonstrated ultra-high efficiency amplification in Tm-doped fiber with both core- and cladding-pumped configurations using a resonant tandem-pumping approach. These Tm-doped fiber amplifiers are pumped in-band with a 1908 nm Tm-doped fiber laser and operate at 1993 nm with >90% slope efficiency. In a core-pumped configuration, we have achieved 92.1% slope efficiency and 88.4% optical efficiency at 41 W output power. In a cladding-pumped configuration, we have achieved 123.1 W of output power with 90.4% optical efficiency and a 91.6% slope efficiency. We believe these are the highest optical efficiencies achieved in a Tm-doped fiber amplifier operating in the 2-micron spectral region.

Ultrafast nonlinear optofluidics in selectively liquid-filled photonic crystal fibers.

PubMed

Vieweg, M; Gissibl, T; Pricking, S; Kuhlmey, B T; Wu, D C; Eggleton, B J; Giessen, H

2010-11-22

Selective filling of photonic crystal fibers with different media enables a plethora of possibilities in linear and nonlinear optics. Using two-photon direct-laser writing we demonstrate full flexibility of individual closing of holes and subsequent filling of photonic crystal fibers with highly nonlinear liquids. We experimentally demonstrate solitonic supercontinuum generation over 600 nm bandwidth using a compact femtosecond oscillator as pump source. Encapsulating our fibers at the ends we realize a compact ultrafast nonlinear optofluidic device. Our work is fundamentally important to the field of nonlinear optics as it provides a new platform for investigations of spatio-temporal nonlinear effects and underpins new applications in sensing and communications. Selective filling of different linear and nonlinear liquids, metals, gases, gain media, and liquid crystals into photonic crystal fibers will be the basis of new reconfigurable and versatile optical fiber devices with unprecedented performance. Control over both temporal and spatial dispersion as well as linear and nonlinear coupling will lead to the generation of spatial-temporal solitons, so-called optical bullets.

Ultrafast optical modulation of magneto-optical terahertz effects occurring in a graphene-loaded resonant metasurface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zanotto, S.; Lange, C.; Maag, T.; Pitanti, A.; Miseikis, V.; Coletti, C.; Degl'Innocenti, R.; Baldacci, L.; Huber, R.; Tredicucci, A.

2016-09-01

In this paper we investigate the effect of a static magnetic field and of optical pumping on the transmittance of a hybrid graphene-split ring resonator metasurface. A significant modulation of the transmitted spectra is obtained, both by optical pumping, and by a combination of optical pumping and magnetostatic biasing. The transmittance modulation features spectral fingerprints that are characteristic of a non-trivial interplay between the bare graphene response and the split ring resonance.

Optical pumping of the electronic and nuclear spin of single charge-tunable quantum dots.

PubMed

Bracker, A S; Stinaff, E A; Gammon, D; Ware, M E; Tischler, J G; Shabaev, A; Efros, Al L; Park, D; Gershoni, D; Korenev, V L; Merkulov, I A

2005-02-04

We present a comprehensive examination of optical pumping of spins in individual GaAs quantum dots as we change the net charge from positive to neutral to negative with a charge-tunable heterostructure. Negative photoluminescence polarization memory is enhanced by optical pumping of ground state electron spins, which we prove with the first measurements of the Hanle effect on an individual quantum dot. We use the Overhauser effect in a high longitudinal magnetic field to demonstrate efficient optical pumping of nuclear spins for all three charge states of the quantum dot.

Optical Pumping of the Electronic and Nuclear Spin of Single Charge-Tunable Quantum Dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bracker, A. S.; Stinaff, E. A.; Gammon, D.; Ware, M. E.; Tischler, J. G.; Shabaev, A.; Efros, Al. L.; Park, D.; Gershoni, D.; Korenev, V. L.; Merkulov, I. A.

2005-02-01

We present a comprehensive examination of optical pumping of spins in individual GaAs quantum dots as we change the net charge from positive to neutral to negative with a charge-tunable heterostructure. Negative photoluminescence polarization memory is enhanced by optical pumping of ground state electron spins, which we prove with the first measurements of the Hanle effect on an individual quantum dot. We use the Overhauser effect in a high longitudinal magnetic field to demonstrate efficient optical pumping of nuclear spins for all three charge states of the quantum dot.

Flat and ultra-broadband two-pump fiber optical parametric amplifiers based on photonic crystal fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Nan; Zhu, Hongna; Li, Peipei; Taccheo, Stefano; Zhu, Yuanna; Gao, Xiaorong; Wang, Zeyong

2018-06-01

A two-pump fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA) based on the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in the telecommunication region is investigated numerically. The fiber loss and pump depletion are considered. The influences of the fiber length, input signal power, input pump power, and the center pump wavelength on the gain bandwidth, flatness, and peak gain are discussed. The 6-wave model-based analysis of two-pump FOPA is also achieved and compared with that based on the 4-wave model; furthermore, the gain properties of the FOPA based on the 6-wave model are optimized and investigated. The comparison results show that the PCF-based two-pump FOPA achieves flatter and wider gain spectra with less fiber length and input pump power compared to the two-pump FOPA based on the normal highly nonlinear fiber, where the obtained results show the great potential of the FOPA for the optical communication system.

Flat and ultra-broadband two-pump fiber optical parametric amplifiers based on photonic crystal fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Nan; Zhu, Hongna; Li, Peipei; Taccheo, Stefano; Zhu, Yuanna; Gao, Xiaorong; Wang, Zeyong

2018-03-01

A two-pump fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA) based on the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in the telecommunication region is investigated numerically. The fiber loss and pump depletion are considered. The influences of the fiber length, input signal power, input pump power, and the center pump wavelength on the gain bandwidth, flatness, and peak gain are discussed. The 6-wave model-based analysis of two-pump FOPA is also achieved and compared with that based on the 4-wave model; furthermore, the gain properties of the FOPA based on the 6-wave model are optimized and investigated. The comparison results show that the PCF-based two-pump FOPA achieves flatter and wider gain spectra with less fiber length and input pump power compared to the two-pump FOPA based on the normal highly nonlinear fiber, where the obtained results show the great potential of the FOPA for the optical communication system.

Performance improvement of long-range surface plasmon structure for use in an all-optical switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jandaghian, Ali; Lotfalian, Ali; Kouhkan, Mohsen; Mohajerani, Ezeddin

2017-12-01

This paper presents important parameters in performance of long-range surface plasmon (LRSP) structure (SF4/PVA/silver/PMMA-DR1) that are improved. We select poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the first dielectric layer due to its water solubility and good optical properties. The thickness of PVA and silver layers is optimized by transfer matrix method based on Fresnel equations. Surface morphologies of PVA and silver surfaces are analyzed by AFM imaging due to their important role in the performance of an LRSP structure. Furthermore, the sensitivity of an all-optical switch based on plasmon is investigated. In order to compare the sensitivity of LRSP and conventional surface plasmon (SP) structures in switching mode, full wide of half maximum, resonance angles, and pump powers of both structures are measured by a custom-made optical setup based on angular interrogation with a precision of 0.01 deg. Finally, we conclude that for creating equal signal levels in both samples, the required pump power for LRSP structure was about three times less than that for conventional SP; thus, these results led to power savings in optical switches.

Reinterpretation of femtosecond laser pump-probe and thermomodulation optical spectroscopy results on HTSC materials in terms of the resonant negative-U model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, John A.

2000-01-01

The laser pump/probe spectroscopy from Stevens et al (on YBCO7 ) and the thermomodulation optical data and analysis from Holcomb et al (on a selection of HTSC materials) are examined in terms of the resonant negative-U mechanism for high temperature superconductivity (HTSC) in the mixed-valent cuprates. The work centres on the universal 1.5-2 eV features becoming visible below Tc upon the optical `charge-transfer' edge. These it is argued are not simple p-to-d band-to-band excitations but are to be associated with the mixed-valent and negative-U states that instigate HTSC. This argument is supported both by the decay characteristics apparent in the new data recorded by Stevens et al and also in the outcome of the Eliashberg analysis developed by Holcomb et al to accommodate their own thermomodulation data. The interpretation provided is in line with that offered recently of the highly characteristic thermoelectric behaviour exhibited by all HTSC systems.

CF.sub.4 laser

DOEpatents

Wittig, Curt; Tiee, Joe J.

1979-01-01

A CF.sub.4 laser for producing near 16 .mu.m radiation utilizing a line tunable CO.sub.2 laser as an optical pumping source. The device uses a cryogenically cooled optically pumped cell containing molecular CF.sub.4 gas. An optical resonant cavity formed around the optically pumped cell induces oscillations of near 16 .mu.m radiation from the .nu..sub.2 +.nu..sub.4 .fwdarw..nu..sub.2 transition in the molecular CF.sub.4 gas.

Mode-Selective Photon Counting Via Quantum Frequency Conversion Using Spectrally-Engineered Pump Pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manurkar, Paritosh

Most of the existing protocols for quantum communication operate in a two-dimensional Hilbert space where their manipulation and measurement have been routinely investigated. Moving to higher-dimensional Hilbert spaces is desirable because of advantages in terms of longer distance communication capabilities, higher channel capacity and better information security. We can exploit the spatio-temporal degrees of freedom for the quantum optical signals to provide the higher-dimensional signals. But this necessitates the need for measurement and manipulation of multidimensional quantum states. To that end, there have been significant theoretical studies based on quantum frequency conversion (QFC) in recent years even though the experimental progress has been limited. QFC is a process that allows preservation of the quantum information while changing the frequency of the input quantum state. It has deservedly garnered a lot of attention because it serves as the connecting bridge between the communications band (C-band near 1550 nm) where the fiber-optic infrastructure is already established and the visible spectrum where high efficiency single-photon detectors and optical memories have been demonstrated. In this experimental work, we demonstrate mode-selective frequency conversion as a means to measure and manipulate photonic signals occupying d -dimensional Hilbert spaces where d=2 and 4. In the d=2 case, we demonstrate mode contrast between two temporal modes (TMs) which serves as the proof-of-concept demonstration. In the d=4 version, we employ six different TMs for our detailed experimental study. These TMs also include superposition modes which are a crucial component in many quantum key distribution protocols. Our method is based on producing pump pulses which allow us to upconvert the TM of interest while ideally preserving the other modes. We use MATLAB simulations to determine the pump pulse shapes which are subsequently produced by controlling the amplitude and phase of each spectral frequency from an optical frequency comb. The latter is generated using a cascaded configuration of phase and amplitude modulators. We characterize the mode selectivity using classical signals by arranging the six TMs into two orthogonal signal sets. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that mode selectivity is preserved if we use sub-photon signals (weak coherent light). Thus, this work supports the idea that QFC has the basic properties needed for advanced multi-dimensional quantum measurements given that we have demonstrated for the first time the ability to move to high dimensions (d=4), measure coherent superposition modes, and measure sub-photon signal levels. In addition to mode-selective photon counting, we also experimentally demonstrate a method of reshaping optical pulses based on QFC. Such a method has the potential to serve as the interface between quantum memories and the existing fiber infrastructure. At the same time, it can be employed in all-optical systems for optical signal regeneration.

Exploding conducting film laser pumping apparatus

DOEpatents

Ware, Kenneth D.; Jones, Claude R.

1986-01-01

Exploding conducting film laser optical pumping apparatus. The 342-nm molecular iodine and the 1.315-.mu.m atomic iodine lasers have been optically pumped by intense light from exploding-metal-film discharges. Brightness temperatures for the exploding-film discharges were approximately 25,000 K. Although lower output energies were achieved for such discharges when compared to exploding-wire techniques, the larger surface area and smaller inductance inherent in the exploding-film should lead to improved efficiency for optically-pumped gas lasers.

Dual-pump Kerr Micro-cavity Optical Frequency Comb with varying FSR spacing

PubMed Central

Wang, Weiqiang; Chu, Sai T.; Little, Brent E.; Pasquazi, Alessia; Wang, Yishan; Wang, Leiran; Zhang, Wenfu; Wang, Lei; Hu, Xiaohong; Wang, Guoxi; Hu, Hui; Su, Yulong; Li, Feitao; Liu, Yuanshan; Zhao, Wei

2016-01-01

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel dual-pump approach to generate robust optical frequency comb with varying free spectral range (FSR) spacing in a CMOS-compatible high-Q micro-ring resonator (MRR). The frequency spacing of the comb can be tuned by an integer number FSR of the MRR freely in our dual-pump scheme. The dual pumps are self-oscillated in the laser cavity loop and their wavelengths can be tuned flexibly by programming the tunable filter embedded in the cavity. By tuning the pump wavelength, broadband OFC with the bandwidth of >180 nm and the frequency-spacing varying from 6 to 46-fold FSRs is realized at a low pump power. This approach could find potential and practical applications in many areas, such as optical metrology, optical communication, and signal processing systems, for its excellent flexibility and robustness. PMID:27338250

Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James

2016-05-03

An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andy J

2013-10-01

An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

Method to improve optical parametric oscillator beam quality

DOEpatents

Smith, Arlee V.; Alford, William J.; Bowers, Mark S.

2003-11-11

A method to improving optical parametric oscillator (OPO) beam quality having an optical pump, which generates a pump beam at a pump frequency greater than a desired signal frequency, a nonlinear optical medium oriented so that a signal wave at the desired signal frequency and a corresponding idler wave are produced when the pump beam (wave) propagates through the nonlinear optical medium, resulting in beam walk off of the signal and idler waves, and an optical cavity which directs the signal wave to repeatedly pass through the nonlinear optical medium, said optical cavity comprising an equivalently even number of non-planar mirrors that produce image rotation on each pass through the nonlinear optical medium. Utilizing beam walk off where the signal wave and said idler wave have nonparallel Poynting vectors in the nonlinear medium and image rotation, a correlation zone of distance equal to approximately .rho.L.sub.crystal is created which, through multiple passes through the nonlinear medium, improves the beam quality of the OPO output.

Optical parametric osicllators with improved beam quality

DOEpatents

Smith, Arlee V.; Alford, William J.

2003-11-11

An optical parametric oscillator (OPO) having an optical pump, which generates a pump beam at a pump frequency greater than a desired signal frequency, a nonlinear optical medium oriented so that a signal wave at the desired signal frequency and a corresponding idler wave are produced when the pump beam (wave) propagates through the nonlinear optical medium, resulting in beam walk off of the signal and idler waves, and an optical cavity which directs the signal wave to repeatedly pass through the nonlinear optical medium, said optical cavity comprising an equivalently even number of non-planar mirrors that produce image rotation on each pass through the nonlinear optical medium. Utilizing beam walk off where the signal wave and said idler wave have nonparallel Poynting vectors in the nonlinear medium and image rotation, a correlation zone of distance equal to approximately .rho.L.sub.crystal is created which, through multiple passes through the nonlinear medium, improves the beam quality of the OPO output.

Gain-Controlled Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier Using Mode-Selective Photonic Lantern

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

schematic diagram of the MSPL integrated with the FM-EDFA is shown in Fig. 3. Two laser diodes (LDs) at λp = 976 nm are connected to the MSPL through a...to co-directionally core pump the FM-EDFA. A tunable semiconductor laser (Santec TSL-210) was used to provide the signal. An optical isolator was...placed in the signal path to avoid spurious optical reflections that could destabilize the laser . In a similar configuration, the delivered signal was

Large polarization-dependent exciton optical Stark effect in lead iodide perovskites

PubMed Central

Yang, Ye; Yang, Mengjin; Zhu, Kai; Johnson, Justin C.; Berry, Joseph J.; van de Lagemaat, Jao; Beard, Matthew C.

2016-01-01

A strong interaction of a semiconductor with a below-bandgap laser pulse causes a blue-shift of the bandgap transition energy, known as the optical Stark effect. The energy shift persists only during the pulse duration with an instantaneous response time. The optical Stark effect has practical relevance for applications, including quantum information processing and communication, and passively mode-locked femtosecond lasers. Here we demonstrate that solution-processable lead-halide perovskites exhibit a large optical Stark effect that is easily resolved at room temperature resulting from the sharp excitonic feature near the bandedge. We also demonstrate that a polarized pump pulse selectively shifts one spin state producing a spin splitting of the degenerate excitonic states. Such selective spin manipulation is an important prerequisite for spintronic applications. Our result implies that such hybrid semiconductors may have great potential for optoelectronic applications beyond photovoltaics. PMID:27577007

Large polarization-dependent exciton optical Stark effect in lead iodide perovskites

DOE PAGES

Yang, Ye; Yang, Mengjin; Zhu, Kai; ...

2016-08-31

A strong interaction of a semiconductor with a below-bandgap laser pulse causes a blue-shift of the bandgap transition energy, known as the optical Stark effect. The energy shift persists only during the pulse duration with an instantaneous response time. The optical Stark effect has practical relevance for applications, including quantum information processing and communication, and passively mode-locked femtosecond lasers. Here we demonstrate that solution-processable lead-halide perovskites exhibit a large optical Stark effect that is easily resolved at room temperature resulting from the sharp excitonic feature near the bandedge. We also demonstrate that a polarized pump pulse selectively shifts one spinmore » state producing a spin splitting of the degenerate excitonic states. Such selective spin manipulation is an important prerequisite for spintronic applications. Lastly, our result implies that such hybrid semiconductors may have great potential for optoelectronic applications beyond photovoltaics.« less

Low-phonon-frequency chalcogenide crystalline hosts for rare earth lasers operating beyond three microns

DOEpatents

Payne, Stephen A.; Page, Ralph H.; Schaffers, Kathleen I.; Nostrand, Michael C.; Krupke, William F.; Schunemann, Peter G.

2000-01-01

The invention comprises a RE-doped MA.sub.2 X.sub.4 crystalline gain medium, where M includes a divalent ion such as Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Eu, or Yb; A is selected from trivalent ions including Al, Ga, and In; X is one of the chalcogenide ions S, Se, and Te; and RE represents the trivalent rare earth ions. The MA.sub.2 X.sub.4 gain medium can be employed in a laser oscillator or a laser amplifier. Possible pump sources include diode lasers, as well as other laser pump sources. The laser wavelengths generated are greater than 3 microns, as becomes possible because of the low phonon frequency of this host medium. The invention may be used to seed optical devices such as optical parametric oscillators and other lasers.

Nonlinear optical coupler using a doped optical waveguide

DOEpatents

Pantell, Richard H.; Sadowski, Robert W.; Digonnet, Michel J. F.; Shaw, Herbert J.

1994-01-01

An optical mode coupling apparatus includes an Erbium-doped optical waveguide in which an optical signal at a signal wavelength propagates in a first spatial propagation mode and a second spatial propagation mode of the waveguide. The optical signal propagating in the waveguide has a beat length. The coupling apparatus includes a pump source of perturbational light signal at a perturbational wavelength that propagates in the waveguide in the first spatial propagation mode. The perturbational signal has a sufficient intensity distribution in the waveguide that it causes a perturbation of the effective refractive index of the first spatial propagation mode of the waveguide in accordance with the optical Kerr effect. The perturbation of the effective refractive index of the first spatial propagation mode of the optical waveguide causes a change in the differential phase delay in the optical signal propagating in the first and second spatial propagation modes. The change in the differential phase delay is detected as a change in the intensity distribution between two lobes of the optical intensity distribution pattern of an output signal. The perturbational light signal can be selectively enabled and disabled to selectively change the intensity distribution in the two lobes of the optical intensity distribution pattern.

Relaxed damage threshold intensity conditions and nonlinear increase in the conversion efficiency of an optical parametric oscillator using a bi-directional pump geometry.

PubMed

Norris, G; McConnell, G

2010-03-01

A novel bi-directional pump geometry that nonlinearly increases the nonlinear optical conversion efficiency of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is reported. This bi-directional pumping method synchronizes the circulating signal pulse with two counter-propagating pump pulses within a linear OPO resonator. Through this pump scheme, an increase in nonlinear optical conversion efficiency of 22% was achieved at the signal wavelength, corresponding to a 95% overall increase in average power. Given an almost unchanged measured pulse duration of 260 fs under optimal performance conditions, this related to a signal wavelength peak power output of 18.8 kW, compared with 10 kW using the traditional single-pass geometry. In this study, a total effective peak intensity pump-field of 7.11 GW/cm(2) (corresponding to 3.55 GW/cm(2) from each pump beam) was applied to a 3 mm long periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, which had a damage threshold intensity of 4 GW/cm(2), without impairing crystal integrity. We therefore prove the application of this novel pump geometry provides opportunities for power-scaling of synchronously pumped OPO systems together with enhanced nonlinear conversion efficiency through relaxed damage threshold intensity conditions.

LD side-pumped Nd:YAG Q-switched laser without water cooling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ling, Ming; Jin, Guang-yong; Tan, Xue-chun; Wu, Zhi-chao; Liang, Zhu

2009-07-01

A novel LD side-pumped Nd:YAG Q-switched solid-state laser, which made use of the special pumping strcture with conductive cooling instead of water cooling, was investigated.After selecting an appropriate length and diameter of Nd:YAG laser crystal rod and using three groups of laser diode centimeter bar which was composed by 12 laser diodes and uniformly arranged according to the angle of 120°,side-pumping structure of laser was accomplished.Adopting plano-concave resonator ,mending double end face of laser crystal and designing heat-stability resonator made the resonator steadily oscillate.Laser crystal rod which was tight fastened by copper net was conductively cooled and radiation block was furnished on the external of copper net for increasing the radiation capacity.High reflection gold film was plated on the cooling wall in the opposite way of pumping light, so that the laser crystal was uniformly pumped and the laser with low order mode output.Making the use of pillar lens focus and ray trace computing, reasonable parameters were caculated to couple pumping light to laser with high-efficiency.It was the electrooptic Q-switched which was made to be micro-integration eliminating voltage by KD*P crystal that improved the ratio between acting and unacting.Inner heat radiated from laser in good time with TE cooler and the laser ran at constant temperature with water cooling when the big external heat sink emanated a steady heat to periphery. Experiments revealed that the syetem pumping efficiency riseed by 18% and the laser threshold energy was 192 mJ under the condition of this novel pumping structure. The low mode output of 10-12ns pulse width and the maximum output energy of 98 mJ was achieved with an incident pump energy of 720 mJ in 1064nm.The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was up to 13. 6 %,and the power instability in 24 h was better than +/-1. 7 %.

Implementation of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser with quick-change output couplers for high-beam quality 1064 or 532 nm wavelength generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chun-Hao; Tsai, Ming-Jong

2009-06-01

A novel diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser system that employs a fixed active laser medium and a pair of quick-change output couplers on a precision linear stage for 1064 or 532 nm wavelength generation is presented. Fixed elements include a rear mirror, an acousto-optical Q-switch, and a diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL). Movable elements for 1064 nm generation include an intra-cavity aperture as a mode selection element (MSE) and an output coupler. Movable elements for 532 nm generation include an intra-cavity frequency conversion with KTP, an intra-cavity aperture as a mode selection element (MSE), and an output coupler. Under stable operating conditions, the 1064 nm configuration produced a beam propagation ratio of 1.18 whereas the 532 nm configuration produced a beam propagation ratio of 1.1, both of which used an intra-cavity MSE with an aperture of 1.2 mm and a length of 5 mm.

Selectively Plasmon-Enhanced Second-Harmonic Generation from Monolayer Tungsten Diselenide on Flexible Substrates.

PubMed

Wang, Zhuo; Dong, Zhaogang; Zhu, Hai; Jin, Lei; Chiu, Ming-Hui; Li, Lain-Jong; Xu, Qing-Hua; Eda, Goki; Maier, Stefan A; Wee, Andrew T S; Qiu, Cheng-Wei; Yang, Joel K W

2018-02-27

Monolayer two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) exhibit promising characteristics in miniaturized nonlinear optical frequency converters, due to their inversion asymmetry and large second-order nonlinear susceptibility. However, these materials usually have very short light interaction lengths with the pump laser because they are atomically thin, such that second-harmonic generation (SHG) is generally inefficient. In this paper, we fabricate a judiciously structured 150 nm-thick planar surface consisting of monolayer tungsten diselenide and sub-20 nm-wide gold trenches on flexible substrates, reporting ∼7000-fold SHG enhancement without peak broadening or background in the spectra as compared to WSe 2 on as-grown sapphire substrates. Our proof-of-concept experiment yields effective second-order nonlinear susceptibility of 2.1 × 10 4 pm/V. Three orders of magnitude enhancement is maintained with pump wavelength ranging from 800 to 900 nm, breaking the limitation of narrow pump wavelength range for cavity-enhanced SHG. In addition, SHG amplitude can be dynamically controlled via selective excitation of the lateral gap plasmon by rotating the laser polarization. Such a fully open, flat, and ultrathin profile enables a great variety of functional samples with high SHG from one patterned silicon substrate, favoring scalable production of nonlinear converters. The surface accessibility also enables integration with other optical components for information processing in an ultrathin and flexible form.

Program Predicts Performance of Optical Parametric Oscillators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cross, Patricia L.; Bowers, Mark

2006-01-01

A computer program predicts the performances of solid-state lasers that operate at wavelengths from ultraviolet through mid-infrared and that comprise various combinations of stable and unstable resonators, optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), and sum-frequency generators (SFGs), including second-harmonic generators (SHGs). The input to the program describes the signal, idler, and pump beams; the SFG and OPO crystals; and the laser geometry. The program calculates the electric fields of the idler, pump, and output beams at three locations (inside the laser resonator, just outside the input mirror, and just outside the output mirror) as functions of time for the duration of the pump beam. For each beam, the electric field is used to calculate the fluence at the output mirror, plus summary parameters that include the centroid location, the radius of curvature of the wavefront leaving through the output mirror, the location and size of the beam waist, and a quantity known, variously, as a propagation constant or beam-quality factor. The program provides a typical Windows interface for entering data and selecting files. The program can include as many as six plot windows, each containing four graphs.

Enhanced performance of Cr,Yb:YAG microchip laser by bonding Yb:YAG crystal.

PubMed

Cheng, Ying; Dong, Jun; Ren, Yingying

2012-10-22

Highly efficient, laser-diode pumped Yb:YAG/Cr,Yb:YAG self-Q-switched microchip lasers by bonding Yb:YAG crystal have been demonstrated for the first time to our best knowledge. The effect of transmission of output coupler (T(oc)) on the enhanced performance of Yb:YAG/Cr,Yb:YAG microchip lasers has been investigated and found that the best laser performance was achieved with T(oc) = 50%. Slope efficiency of over 38% was achieved. Average output power of 0.8 W was obtained at absorbed pump power of 2.5 W; corresponding optical-to-optical efficiency of 32% was obtained. Laser pulses with pulse width of 1.68 ns, pulse energy of 12.4 μJ, and peak power of 7.4 kW were obtained. The lasers oscillated in multi-longitudinal modes. The wide separation of longitudinal modes was attributed to the mode selection by combined etalon effect of Cr,Yb:YAG, Yb:YAG thin plates and output coupler. Stable periodical pulse trains at different pump power levels have been observed owing to the longitudinal modes coupling and competition.

Two-tint pump-probe measurements using a femtosecond laser oscillator and sharp-edged optical filters.

PubMed

Kang, Kwangu; Koh, Yee Kan; Chiritescu, Catalin; Zheng, Xuan; Cahill, David G

2008-11-01

We describe a simple approach for rejecting unwanted scattered light in two types of time-resolved pump-probe measurements, time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) and time-resolved incoherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (TRIARS). Sharp edged optical filters are used to create spectrally distinct pump and probe beams from the broad spectral output of a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser oscillator. For TDTR, the diffusely scattered pump light is then blocked by a third optical filter. For TRIARS, depolarized scattering created by the pump is shifted in frequency by approximately 250 cm(-1) relative to the polarized scattering created by the probe; therefore, spectral features created by the pump and probe scattering can be easily distinguished.

Spontaneous and stimulated emission spectroscopy of a Nd(3+)-doped phosphate glass under wavelength selective pumping.

PubMed

Iparraguirre, I; Azkargorta, J; Balda, R; Venkata Krishnaiah, K; Jayasankar, C K; Al-Saleh, M; Fernández, J

2011-09-26

The influence of the host matrix on the spectroscopic and laser properties of Nd(3+) in a K-Ba-Al phosphate glass has been investigated as a function of rare-earth concentration. Site-selective time resolved laser spectroscopy and stimulated emission experiments under selective wavelength laser pumping show the existence of a very complex crystal field site distribution of Nd(3+) ions in this glass. The peak of the broad stimulated (4)F(3/2)→(4)I(11/2) emission shifts in a non monotonous way up to 3 nm as a function of the excitation wavelength. This behavior can be explained by the relatively moderate inter-site energy transfer among Nd(3+) ions found in this system and measured by using fluorescence line narrowing spectroscopy. The best slope efficiency obtained for the laser emission was 40%. © 2011 Optical Society of America

A new concept for solar pumped lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christiansen, W. H.

1978-01-01

A new approach is proposed in which an intermediate body heated by sunlight is used as the pumping source for IR systems, i.e., concentration solar radiation is absorbed and reradiated via an intermediate blackbody. This body is heated by focused sunlight to a high temperature and its heat losses are engineered to be small. The cooled laser tube (or tubes) is placed within the cavity and is pumped by it. The advantage is that the radiation spectrum is like a blackbody at the intermediate temperature and the laser medium selectively absorbs this light. Focusing requirements, heat losses, and absorption bandwidths of laser media are examined, along with energy balance and potential efficiency. The results indicate that for lasers pumped through an IR absorption spectrum, the use of an intermediate blackbody offers substantial and important advantages. The loss in radiative intensity for optical pumping by a lower-temperature body is partly compensated by the increased solid angle of exposure to the radiative environment.

Diode-Laser Pumped Far-Infrared Local Oscillator Based on Semiconductor Quantum Wells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kolokolov, K.; Li, J.; Ning, C. Z.; Larrabee, D. C.; Tang, J.; Khodaparast, G.; Kono, J.; Sasa, S.; Inoue, M.; Biegel, Bryan A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The contents include: 1) Tetrahertz Field: A Technology Gap; 2) Existing THZ Sources and Shortcomings; 3) Applications of A THZ Laser; 4) Previous Optical Pumped LW Generations; 5) Optically Pumped Sb based Intersubband Generation Whys; 6) InGaAs/InP/AlAsSb QWs; 7) Raman Enhanced Optical Gain; 8) Pump Intensity Dependence of THZ Gain; 9) Pump-Probe Interaction Induced Raman Shift; 10) THZ Laser Gain in InGaAs/InP/AlAsSb QWs; 11) Diode-Laser Pumped Difference Frequency Generation (InGaAs/InP/AlAsSb QWs); 12) 6.1 Angstrom Semiconductor Quantum Wells; 13) InAs/GaSb/AlSb Nanostructures; 14) InAs/AlSb Double QWs: DFG Scheme; 15) Sb-Based Triple QWs: Laser Scheme; and 16) Exciton State Pumped THZ Generation. This paper is presented in viewgraph form.

Frequency conversion system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanders, Steven (Inventor); Lang, Robert J. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

Laser diode pumped mid-IR wavelength sources include at least one high power, near-IR wavelength, injection and/or sources wherein one or both of such sources may be tunable providing a pump wave output beam to a quasi-phase matched (QPM) nonlinear frequency mixing (NFM) device. The NFM device may be a difference frequency mixing (DFM) device or an optical parametric oscillation (OPO) device. Wavelength tuning of at least one of the sources advantageously provides the ability for optimizing pump or injection wavelengths to match the QPM properties of the NFM device enabling a broad range of mid-IR wavelength selectivity. Also, pump powers are gain enhanced by the addition of a rare earth amplifier or oscillator, or a Raman/Brillouin amplifier or oscillator between the high power source and the NFM device. Further, polarization conversion using Raman or Brillouin wavelength shifting is provided to optimize frequency conversion efficiency in the NFM device.

Polarization-insensitive all-optical dual pump-phase transmultiplexing from 2 x 10-GBd OOKs to 10-GBd RZ-QPSK using cross-phase modulation in a passive nonlinear birefringent photonic crystal fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmood, Tanvir

Considering the network size, bit rate, spectral and channel capacity limitations, different modulation formats may be selectively used in future optical networks. Although the traditional metropolitan area networks (MANs) still uses the non-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK) modulation format due to its technical simplicity and therefore low cost, QPSK format is more advantageous in spectrally efficient long-haul fiber optic transmission systems because of its constant power envelope, and robustness to various transmission impairments. Consequently, an important problem may arise, in particular how to route the OOK-data streams from MANs to long-haul backbone networks when the state of polarization (SOP) of the remotely generated OOK is unpredictable. Hence, the focus of this dissertation was to investigate a polarization insensitive (PI) all-optical nonlinear optical signal processing (NOSP) method that can be implemented at the network cross-connect (X-connect) to transfer data from a remotely and a locally generated OOK data simultaneously to more effectual QPSK format for long-haul transmission. By utilizing cross-phase modulation (XPM) and inherent birefringence of the device, the work demonstrated, for the first time, PI all-optical data transfer utilizing dual pump-phase transmultiplexing (DPTM) from 2 x 10-GBd OOKs to 10-GBd RZ-QPSK in a passive nonlinear birefringent photonic crystal fiber (PCF). Polarization insensitivity was achieved by scrambling the SOP of the remotely generated OOK pump and launching the locally generated OOK pump and the probe off-axis. To mitigate polarization induced power fluctuations and detrimental effects due to nearby partially degenerate and non-degenerate four wave mixings, an optimum pump-probe detuning was also utilized. The PI DPTM RZ-QPSK demonstrated a pre-amplified receiver sensitivity penalty < 5.5 dB at 10--9 bit-error-rate (BER), relative to relative to the FPGA-precoded RZ-DQPSK baseline in ASE-limited transmission system. The effect of the remotely generated OOK pump OSNR degradation on PI DPTM RZ-QPSK was also investigated and it was established that 10 -9 BER metric was attainable till the remotely generated OOK pump reached the threshold OSNR limit of 34 dB/0.1nm. Finally, DWDM transmission performance of the PI DPTM RZ-QPSK signal was evaluated using 138-km long recirculating loop and it was demonstrated that the PI DPTM RZ-QPSK can be transmitted over 1,500 km before it reached ITU-T G.709 7% HD-FEC overhead limit. This propagation distance was well beyond the transmission requisites of any typical metro network (≈ 600 km). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that, within the threshold limit, OSNR degradation of the remotely generated OOK pump had minimal impact on the transmission distance of the PI DPTM RZ-QPSK before it reached 7% HD-FEC overhead limit.

Laser spark distribution and ignition system

DOEpatents

Woodruff, Steven [Morgantown, WV; McIntyre, Dustin L [Morgantown, WV

2008-09-02

A laser spark distribution and ignition system that reduces the high power optical requirements for use in a laser ignition and distribution system allowing for the use of optical fibers for delivering the low peak energy pumping pulses to a laser amplifier or laser oscillator. An optical distributor distributes and delivers optical pumping energy from an optical pumping source to multiple combustion chambers incorporating laser oscillators or laser amplifiers for inducing a laser spark within a combustion chamber. The optical distributor preferably includes a single rotating mirror or lens which deflects the optical pumping energy from the axis of rotation and into a plurality of distinct optical fibers each connected to a respective laser media or amplifier coupled to an associated combustion chamber. The laser spark generators preferably produce a high peak power laser spark, from a single low power pulse. The laser spark distribution and ignition system has application in natural gas fueled reciprocating engines, turbine combustors, explosives and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy diagnostic sensors.

Nd:YAG end pumped by semiconductor laser arrays for free space optical communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sipes, D. L., Jr.

1985-01-01

Preliminary experimental results are reported for a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser employing a tightly focused end-pump geometry. The resonator configuration is planoconcave, with the pumped end of the Nd:YAG rod being coated for high reflection at 1.06 microns. This geometry rectifies nearly all the inefficiencies plaguing side-pumped schemes. This laser is further considered as a candidate for optical communication over the deep space channel.

Pulse compression in a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator from group-velocity mismatch.

PubMed

Khaydarov, J D; Andrews, J H; Singer, K D

1994-06-01

We report on experimental intracavity compression of generated pulses (down to one quarter of the pumppulse duration) in a widely tunable synchronously pumped picosecond optical parametric oscillator. This pulse compression takes place when the optical parametric oscillator is well above threshold and is due to the pronounced group-velocity mismatch of the pump and oscillating waves in the nonlinear crystal.

Upconversion fiber-optic confocal microscopy under near-infrared pumping.

PubMed

Kim, Do-Hyun; Kang, Jin U; Ilev, Ilko K

2008-03-01

We present a simple upconversion fiber-optic confocal microscope design using a near-infrared laser for pumping of a rare-earth-doped glass powder. The nonlinear optical frequency conversion process is highly efficient with more than 2% upconversion fluorescence efficiency at a near-infrared pumping wavelength of 1.55 microm. The upconversion confocal design allows the use of conventional Si detectors and 1.55 microm near-infrared pump light. The lateral and axial resolutions of the system were equal to or better than 1.10 and 13.11 microm, respectively.

Thermally induced optical deformation of a Nd:YVO4 active disk under the action of multi-beam spatially periodic diode pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guryev, D. A.; Nikolaev, D. A.; Tsvetkov, V. B.; Shcherbakov, I. A.

2018-05-01

A study of how the transverse distribution of an optical path changes in a Nd:YVO4 active disk was carried out in a ten-beam spatially periodic diode pumping in the one-dimensional case. The pumping beams’ transverse dimensions were comparable with the distances between them. The investigations were carried out using laser interferometry methods. It was found that the optical thickness changing in the active disk along the line of pumping spots was well described by a Gaussian function.

A novel setup for femtosecond pump-repump-probe IR spectroscopy with few cycle CEP stable pulses.

PubMed

Bradler, Maximilian; Werhahn, Jasper C; Hutzler, Daniel; Fuhrmann, Simon; Heider, Rupert; Riedle, Eberhard; Iglev, Hristo; Kienberger, Reinhard

2013-08-26

We present a three-color mid-IR setup for vibrational pump-repump-probe experiments with a temporal resolution well below 100 fs and a freely selectable spectral resolution of 20 to 360 cm(-1) for the pump and repump. The usable probe range without optical realignment is 900 cm(-1). The experimental design employed is greatly simplified compared to the widely used setups, highly robust and includes a novel means for generation of tunable few-cycle pulses with stable carrier-envelope phase. A Ti:sapphire pump system operating with 1 kHz and a modest 150 fs pulse duration supplies the total pump energy of just 0.6 mJ. The good signal-to-noise ratio of the setup allows the determination of spectrally resolved transient probe changes smaller than 6·10(-5) OD at 130 time delays in just 45 minutes. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated with transient IR spectra and decay curves of HDO molecules in lithium nitrate trihydrate and ice and a first all MIR pump-repump-probe measurement.

High sensitivity cascaded preamplifier with an optical bridge structure in Brillouin distributed fiber sensing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Weihong; Lin, Hang; Fu, Xinghu; Fu, Guangwei

2013-12-01

Fiber amplifiers such as Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) played a key role in developing long-haul transmission system and have been an important element for enabling the development of optical communication system. EDFA amplifies the optical signal directly, without the optical-electric-optical switch and has the advantages such as high gain, broad band, low noise figure. It is widely used in repeaterless submarine system, smart grid and community antenna television system. This article describe the application of optical-fiber amplifiers in distributed optical fiber sensing system, focusing on erbium-doped fiber preamplifiers in modern transmission optical systems. To enhance the measurement range of a spontaneous Brillouin intensity based distributed fiber optical sensor and improve the receiver sensitivity, a two cascaded EDFAs C-band preamplifier with an optical bridge structure is proposed in this paper. The first cascaded EDFA is consisted of a length of 4.3m erbium-doped fiber and pumped in a forward pump light using a laser operating at 975nm. The second one made by using a length of 16m erbium-doped fiber is pumped in a forward pump light which is the remnant pump light of the first cascaded EDFA. At the preamplifier output, DWDM, centered at the signal wavelength, is used to suppress unwanted amplified spontaneous emission. The experimental results show that the two cascade preamplifier with a bridge structure can be used to amplify for input Brillouin backscattering light greater than about -43dBm. The optical gain is characterized and more than 26dB is obtained at 1549.50nm with 300mW pump power.

Du pompage optique laser à l'absorption saturée résolue en temps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumont, M.

The first part is a brief historical account of the beginning of lasers at the « Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Hertzienne de l'ENS » and, more precisely, of the first experiments of optical pumping with multimode lasers. The three new features (stimulated emission, coherence and saturation) are emphasized. Paragraphes 2 and 3 outline the special behaviour of monomode optical pumping (velocity selection) and of timeresolved saturated absorption. This last technique is applied to study elastic collisions (determination of the « collision Kernel ») and Raman coherence between metastable levels. The last paragraphe summarizes a semi-perturbative calculation of transients in Velocity Selective Optical Pumping (VSOP). La première partie est un survol historique de l'introduction des lasers au laboratoire de Spectroscopie Hertzienne de l'ENS et particulièrement des premières expériences de pompage optique avec un laser multimode. Les trois caractéristiques nouvelles (émission stimulée, cohérence de la lumière et saturations) sont mises en lumière. Les paragraphes 2 et 3 présentent les particularités du pompage optique par un laser monomode (sélection des vitesses atomiques) et de la technique d'absorption saturée résolue en temps. Cette dernière technique est appliquée à l'étude des collisions élastiques (détermination du « noyau de collision ») et de la cohérence Raman entre niveaux métastables. La dernière partie présente, de façon résumée, un calcul semiperturbatif des transitoires de pompage optique sélectif en vitesse (VSOP).

Toward power scaling in an acetylene mid-infrared hollow-core optical fiber gas laser: effects of pressure, fiber length, and pump power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weerasinghe, H. W. Kushan; Dadashzadeh, Neda; Thirugnanasambandam, Manasadevi P.; Debord, Benoît.; Chafer, Matthieu; Gérôme, Frédéric; Benabid, Fetah; Corwin, Kristan L.; Washburn, Brian R.

2018-02-01

The effect of gas pressure, fiber length, and optical pump power on an acetylene mid-infrared hollow-core optical fiber gas laser (HOFGLAS) is experimentally determined in order to scale the laser to higher powers. The absorbed optical power and threshold power are measured for different pressures providing an optimum pressure for a given fiber length. We observe a linear dependence of both absorbed pump energy and lasing threshold for the acetylene HOFGLAS, while maintaining a good mode quality with an M-squared of 1.15. The threshold and mode behavior are encouraging for scaling to higher pressures and pump powers.

Performance of continuous wave and acousto-optically Q-switched Tm, Ho: YAP laser pumped by diode laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Guoxing; Xie, Wenqiang; Yang, Xining; Zhang, Ziqiu; Zhang, Hongda; Zhang, Liang

2018-02-01

A two-end-pumped a-cut Tm(0.5%), Ho(0.5%):YAP laser output at 2119nm is reported under cryogenic temperature. The maximum output power reached to 7.76W with the incident pump power of 24.2W in CW mode. With the acousto-optically Q-switch, an average power of 7.3W can be obtained, when the pulse repetition frequency was 7.5 kHz. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 30.2% and the slope efficiency was 31.4%. Then, the laser output characteristics in the repetition frequency of 7.5 kHz and 10kHz were researched. The output power, the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency and slope efficiency were increased with the increase of the repetition frequency. In the same repetition frequency, the pulse duration was decreasing with the growth of the incident pump power.

High-gain mid-infrared optical-parametric generation pumped by microchip laser.

PubMed

Ishizuki, Hideki; Taira, Takunori

2016-01-25

High-gain mid-infrared optical-parametric generation was demonstrated by simple single-pass configuration using PPMgLN devices pumped by giant-pulse microchip laser. Effective mid-infrared wavelength conversion with 1 mJ output energy from 2.4 mJ pumping using conventional PPMgLN could be realized. Broadband optical-parametric generation from 1.7 to 2.6 µm could be also measured using chirped PPMgLN.

Coherent Pump-Probe Interactions and Terahertz Intersubband Gain in Semiconductor Quantum Wells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Ansheng; Ning, Cun-Zheng

1999-01-01

In recent years there has been considerable interest in intersubband-transition-based infrared semiconductor quantum well (QW) lasers because of their potential applications. In the mid-infrared range, both electrically-injected quantum cascade lasers [1] and optically-pumped multiple QW lasers [2] have been experimentally realized. In these studies, optical gain is due to population inversion between the lasing subbands. It was also proposed that stimulated Raman scattering in QW systems can produce net infrared optical gain [3j. In such a nonlinear optical scheme, the appearance of optical gain that may lead to intersubband Raman lasers does not rely on the population inversion. Since, in tile resonant Raman process (Raman gain is the largest in this case), the pump field induces population redistribution among subbands in the QW s ystem, it seems that a realistic estimate of the optical gain has to include this effect. Perturbative calculations used in the previous work [3] may overestimate the Raman gain. In this paper we present a nonperturbative calculation of terahertz gain of optically-pumped semiconductor step quantum wells. Limiting optical transitions within the conduction band of QW, we solve the pump-field-induced nonequilibrium distribution function for each subband of the QW system from a set of coupled rate equations. Both intrasubband and intersubband relaxation processes in the quantum well system are included. Taking into account the coherent interactions between pump and THz (signal) waves, we we derive the susceptibility of the QW system for the THz field. For a GaAs/AlGaAs step QW, we calculate the Thz gain spectrum for different pump frequencies and intensities. Under moderately strong pumping (approximately 0.3 MW/sq cm), a significant THz gain (approximately 300/m) is predicted. It is also shown that the coherent wave interactions (resonant stimulated Raman processes) contribute significantly to the THz gain.

Apparatus for generating coherent infrared energy of selected wavelength

DOEpatents

Stevens, C.G.

A tunable source of coherent infrared energy includes a heat pipe having an intermediate region at which cesium is heated to vaporizing temperature and end regions at which the vapor is condensed and returned to the intermediate region for reheating and recirculation. Optical pumping light is directed along the axis of the heat pipe through a first end window to stimulate emission of coherent infrared energy which is transmitted out through an opposite end window. A porous walled tubulation extends along the axis of the heat pipe and defines a region in which cesium vapor is further heated to a temperature sufficient to dissociate cesium dimers which would decrease efficiency by absorbing pump light. Efficient generation of any desired infrared wavelength is realized by varying the wavelength of the pump light.

Characteristics of a broadband dye laser using Pyrromethene and Rhodamine dyes.

PubMed

Tedder, Sarah A; Wheeler, Jeffrey L; Danehy, Paul M

2011-02-20

A broadband dye laser pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser with a full width at half-maximum from 592 to 610 nm was created for the use in a dual-pump broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) system called width increased dual-pump enhanced CARS (WIDECARS). The desired broadband dye laser was generated with a mixture of Pyrromethene dyes as an oscillator gain medium and a spectral selective optic in the oscillator cavity. A mixture of Rhodamine dyes was used in the amplifier dye cell. To create this laser, a study was performed to characterize the spectral behavior of broadband dye lasers created with Rhodamine dyes 590, 610, and 640 and Pyrromethene dyes 597 and 650, as well as mixtures of these dyes.

NQR detection of explosive simulants using RF atomic magnetometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monti, Mark C.; Alexson, Dimitri A.; Okamitsu, Jeffrey K.

2016-05-01

Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) is a highly selective spectroscopic method that can be used to detect and identify a number of chemicals of interest to the defense, national security, and law enforcement community. In the past, there have been several documented attempts to utilize NQR to detect nitrogen bearing explosives using induction sensors to detect the NQR RF signatures. We present here our work on the NQR detection of explosive simulants using optically pumped RF atomic magnetometers. RF atomic magnetometers can provide an order of magnitude (or more) improvement in sensitivity versus induction sensors and can enable mitigation of RF interference, which has classically has been a problem for conventional NQR using induction sensors. We present the theory of operation of optically pumped RF atomic magnetometers along with the result of laboratory work on the detection of explosive simulant material. An outline of ongoing work will also be presented along with a path for a fieldable detection system.

The effect of electromagnetically induced transparency in a potassium nanocell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sargsyan, A.; Amiryan, A.; Leroy, C.; Vartanyan, T. A.; Sarkisyan, D.

2017-07-01

The effect of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) has been experimentally implemented for the first time for the (4 S 1/2-4 P 1/2-4 S 1/2) Λ-system of potassium atom levels in a nanocell with a 770-nm-thick column of atomic vapor. It is shown that, at such a small thickness of the vapor column, the EIT resonance can be observed only when the coupling-laser frequency is in exact resonance with the frequency of the corresponding atomic transition. The EIT resonance disappears even if the coupling-laser frequency differs slightly (by 50 MHz) from that of the corresponding atomic transition, which is due to the high thermal velocity of K atoms. The EIT resonance and related velocity selective optical pumping resonances caused by optical pumping (formed by the coupling) can be simultaneously recorded because of the small ( 462 MHz) hyperfine splitting of the lower 4 S 1/2 level.

Carrier-phase control among subharmonic pulses in a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Y; Torizuka, K

2001-08-15

We have generated femtosecond subharmonic pulses by using an optical parametric oscillator. The optical frequencies of the idler and the signal are one third and two thirds, respectively, of the optical frequency of the pump pulse. The carrier phase of the signal pulse relative to that of the pump pulse was locked by electronic feedback. The carrier-envelope phase slip frequency of the signal pulse relative to that of the pump was locked to F/6 , where F is defined as the repetition frequency.

Four-Pass Coupler for Laser-Diode-Pumped Solid-State Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coyle, Donald B.

2008-01-01

A four-pass optical coupler affords increased (in comparison with related prior two-pass optical couplers) utilization of light generated by a laser diode in side pumping of a solid-state laser slab. The original application for which this coupler was conceived involves a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) crystal slab, which, when pumped by a row of laser diodes at a wavelength of 809 nm, lases at a wavelength of 1,064 nm. Heretofore, typically, a thin laser slab has been pumped in two passes, the second pass occurring by virtue of reflection of pump light from a highly reflective thin film on the side opposite the side through which the pump light enters. In two-pass pumping, a Nd:YAG slab having a thickness of 2 mm (which is typical) absorbs about 84 percent of the 809-nm pump light power, leaving about 16 percent of the pump light power to travel back toward the laser diodes. This unused power can cause localized heating of the laser diodes, thereby reducing their lifetimes. Moreover, if the slab is thinner than 2 mm, then even more unused power travels back toward the laser diodes. The four-pass optical coupler captures most of this unused pump light and sends it back to the laser slab for two more passes. As a result, the slab absorbs more pump light, as though it were twice as thick. The gain and laser cavity beam quality of a smaller laser slab in conjunction with this optical coupler can thus be made comparable to those of a larger two-pass-pumped laser slab.

Optical pumping of electron and nuclear spin in a negatively-charged quantum dot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bracker, Allan; Gershoni, David; Korenev, Vladimir

2005-03-01

We report optical pumping of electron and nuclear spins in an individual negatively-charged quantum dot. With a bias-controlled heterostructure, we inject one electron into the quantum dot. Intense laser excitation produces negative photoluminescence polarization, which is easily erased by the Hanle effect, demonstrating optical pumping of a long-lived resident electron. The electron spin lifetime is consistent with the influence of nuclear spin fluctuations. Measuring the Overhauser effect in high magnetic fields, we observe a high degree of nuclear spin polarization, which is closely correlated to electron spin pumping.

Kinetic analysis of rare gas metastable production and optically pumped Xe lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demyanov, A. V.; Kochetov, I. V.; Mikheyev, P. A.; Azyazov, V. N.; Heaven, M. C.

2018-01-01

Optically pumped all-rare-gas lasers use metastable rare gas atoms as the lasing species in mixtures with He or Ar buffer gas. The metastables are generated in a glow discharge, and we report model calculations for the optimal production of Ne*, Ar*, Kr* and Xe*. Discharge efficiency was estimated by solving the Boltzmann equation. Laser efficiency, gain and output power of the CW optically pumped Xe laser were assessed as functions of heavier rare gas content, pressure, optical pump intensity and the optical path length. It was found that, for efficient operation the heavier rare gas content has to be of the order of one percent or less, and the total pressure—in the range 0.3-1.5 atm. Output power and specific discharge power increase approximately linearly with pump intensity over the output range from 300-500 W cm-2. Ternary mixtures Xe:Ar:He were found to be the most promising. Total laser efficiency was found to be nearly the same for pumping the 2p8 or 2p9 state, reaching 61%-70% for a pump intensity of ~720 W cm-2 when the Xe fraction was in the range 0.001 ÷ 0.01 and Ar fraction—0.1 ÷ 0.5. However, when the 2p8 state was pumped, the maximum total efficiency occurred at larger pressures than for pumping of the 2p9 state. The discharge power density required to sustain a sufficient Xe* number density was in the range of tens of watts per cubic centimeter for 50% Ar in the mixture.

The polarization and the fundamental sensitivity of 39K (133Cs)-85Rb-4He hybrid optical pumping spin exchange relaxation free atomic magnetometers.

PubMed

Liu, Jian-Hua; Jing, Dong-Yang; Wang, Liang-Liang; Li, Yang; Quan, Wei; Fang, Jian-Cheng; Liu, Wu-Ming

2017-07-28

The hybrid optical pumping spin exchange relaxation free (SERF) atomic magnetometers can realize ultrahigh sensitivity measurement of magnetic field and inertia. We have studied the 85 Rb polarization of two types of hybrid optical pumping SERF magnetometers based on 39 K- 85 Rb- 4 He and 133 Cs- 85 Rb- 4 He respectively. Then we found that 85 Rb polarization varies with the number density of buffer gas 4 He and quench gas N 2 , pumping rate of pump beam and cell temperature respectively, which will provide an experimental guide for the design of the magnetometer. We obtain a general formula on the fundamental sensitivity of the hybrid optical pumping SERF magnetometer due to shot-noise. The formula describes that the fundamental sensitivity of the magnetometer varies with the number density of buffer gas and quench gas, the pumping rate of pump beam, external magnetic field, cell effective radius, measurement volume, cell temperature and measurement time. We obtain a highest fundamental sensitivity of 1.5073 aT/Hz 1/2 (1 aT = 10 -18 T) with 39 K- 85 Rb- 4 He magnetometer between above two types of magnetometers when 85 Rb polarization is 0.1116. We estimate the fundamental sensitivity limit of the hybrid optical pumping SERF magnetometer to be superior to 1.8359 × 10 -2 aT/Hz 1/2 , which is higher than the shot-noise-limited sensitivity of 1 aT/Hz 1/2 of K SERF atomic magnetometer.

Optical pumping and negative luminescence polarization in charged GaAs quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shabaev, Andrew; Stinaff, Eric A.; Bracker, Allan S.; Gammon, Daniel; Efros, Alexander L.; Korenev, Vladimir L.; Merkulov, Igor

2009-01-01

Optical pumping of electron spins and negative photoluminescence polarization are observed when interface quantum dots in a GaAs quantum well are excited nonresonantly by circularly polarized light. Both observations can be explained by the formation of long-lived dark excitons through hole spin relaxation in the GaAs quantum well prior to exciton capture. In this model, optical pumping of resident electron spins is caused by capture of dark excitons and recombination in charged quantum dots. Negative polarization results from accumulation of dark excitons in the quantum well and is enhanced by optical pumping. The dark exciton model describes the experimental results very well, including intensity and bias dependence of the photoluminescence polarization and the Hanle effect.

Highly efficient, versatile, self-Q-switched, high-repetition-rate microchip laser generating Ince-Gaussian modes for optical trapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Jun; He, Yu; Zhou, Xiao; Bai, Shengchuang

2016-03-01

Lasers operating in the Ince-Gaussian (IG) mode have potential applications for optical manipulation of microparticles and formation of optical vortices, as well as for optical trapping and optical tweezers. Versatile, self-Q-switched, high-peak-power, high-repetition-rate Cr, Nd:YAG microchip lasers operating in the IG mode are implemented under tilted, tightly focused laser-diode pumping. An average output power of over 2 W is obtained at an absorbed pump power of 6.4 W. The highest optical-to-optical efficiency of 33.2% is achieved at an absorbed pump power of 3.9 W. Laser pulses with a pulse energy of 7.5 μJ, pulse width of 3.5 ns and peak power of over 2 kW are obtained. A repetition rate up to 335 kHz is reached at an absorbed pump power of 5.8 W. Highly efficient, versatile, IG-mode lasers with a high repetition rate and a high peak power ensure a better flexibility in particle manipulation and optical trapping.

Highly efficient, versatile, self-Q-switched, high-repetition-rate microchip laser generating Ince–Gaussian modes for optical trapping

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jun Dong; Yu He; Xiao Zhou

2016-03-31

Lasers operating in the Ince-Gaussian (IG) mode have potential applications for optical manipulation of microparticles and formation of optical vortices, as well as for optical trapping and optical tweezers. Versatile, self-Q-switched, high-peak-power, high-repetition-rate Cr, Nd:YAG microchip lasers operating in the IG mode are implemented under tilted, tightly focused laser-diode pumping. An average output power of over 2 W is obtained at an absorbed pump power of 6.4 W. The highest optical-to-optical efficiency of 33.2% is achieved at an absorbed pump power of 3.9 W. Laser pulses with a pulse energy of 7.5 μJ, pulse width of 3.5 ns and peakmore » power of over 2 kW are obtained. A repetition rate up to 335 kHz is reached at an absorbed pump power of 5.8 W. Highly efficient, versatile, IG-mode lasers with a high repetition rate and a high peak power ensure a better flexibility in particle manipulation and optical trapping. (control of laser radiation parameters)« less

Methods and apparatus of entangled photon generation using four-wave mixing

DOEpatents

Camacho, Ryan

2016-02-23

A non-linear optical device is provided. The device comprises an optical disk or ring microresonator fabricated from a material that exhibits an optical nonlinearity able to produce degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) in response to a pump beam having a pump frequency in a specified effective range. The microresonator is conformed to exhibit an angular group velocity minimum at a pump frequency within the specified effective range such that there is zero angular group velocity dispersion at the pump frequency. We refer to such a pump frequency as the "zero dispersion frequency". In embodiments, excitation of the resonator by a pump beam of sufficient intensity at the zero-dispersion frequency causes the resonator to emit a frequency comb of entangled photon pairs wherein the respective frequencies in each pair are symmetrically placed about the zero-dispersion frequency.

System and method for linearly amplifying optical analog signals by backward Raman scattering

DOEpatents

Lin, Cheng-Heui

1988-01-01

A system for linearly amplifying an optical analog signal by backward stimulated Raman scattering comprises a laser source for generating a pump pulse; and an optic fiber having two opposed apertures, a first aperture for receiving the pump pulse and a second aperture for receiving the optical analog signal, wherein the optical analog signal is linearly amplified to an amplified optical analog signal.

System and method for linearly amplifying optical analog signals by backward Raman scattering

DOEpatents

Lin, Cheng-Heui

1988-07-05

A system for linearly amplifying an optical analog signal by backward stimulated Raman scattering comprises a laser source for generating a pump pulse; and an optic fiber having two opposed apertures, a first aperture for receiving the pump pulse and a second aperture for receiving the optical analog signal, wherein the optical analog signal is linearly amplified to an amplified optical analog signal.

Multichannel spectral mode of the ALOHA up-conversion interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmann, L.; Darré, P.; Boulogne, H.; Delage, L.; Grossard, L.; Reynaud, F.

2018-06-01

In this paper, we propose a multichannel spectral configuration of the Astronomical Light Optical Hybrid Analysis (ALOHA) instrument dedicated to high-resolution imaging. A frequency conversion process is implemented in each arm of an interferometer to transfer the astronomical light to a shorter wavelength domain. Exploiting the spectral selectivity of this non-linear optical process, we propose to use a set of independent pump lasers in order to simultaneously study multiple spectral channels. This principle is experimentally demonstrated with a dual-channel configuration as a proof-of-principle.

Efficient diode-pumped Tm:KYW 1.9-μm microchip laser with 1 W cw output power.

PubMed

Gaponenko, Maxim; Kuleshov, Nikolay; Südmeyer, Thomas

2014-05-19

We report on a diode-pumped Tm:KYW microchip laser generating 1 W continuous-wave output power. The laser operates at a wavelength of 1.94 μm in the fundamental TEM(00) mode with 71% slope efficiency relative to the absorbed pump radiation and 59% slope efficiency relative to the incident pump radiation. The optical-to-optical laser efficiency is 43%.

Ultrafast Silicon Photonics with Visible to Mid-Infrared Pumping of Silicon Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Diroll, Benjamin T; Schramke, Katelyn S; Guo, Peijun; Kortshagen, Uwe R; Schaller, Richard D

2017-10-11

Dynamic optical control of infrared (IR) transparency and refractive index is achieved using boron-doped silicon nanocrystals excited with mid-IR optical pulses. Unlike previous silicon-based optical switches, large changes in transmittance are achieved without a fabricated structure by exploiting strong light coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) produced from free holes of p-type silicon nanocrystals. The choice of optical excitation wavelength allows for selectivity between hole heating and carrier generation through intraband or interband photoexcitation, respectively. Mid-IR optical pumping heats the free holes of p-Si nanocrystals to effective temperatures greater than 3500 K. Increases of the hole effective mass at high effective hole temperatures lead to a subpicosecond change of the dielectric function, resulting in a redshift of the LSPR, modulating mid-IR transmission by as much as 27%, and increasing the index of refraction by more than 0.1 in the mid-IR. Low hole heat capacity dictates subpicosecond hole cooling, substantially faster than carrier recombination, and negligible heating of the Si lattice, permitting mid-IR optical switching at terahertz repetition frequencies. Further, the energetic distribution of holes at high effective temperatures partially reverses the Burstein-Moss effect, permitting the modulation of transmittance at telecommunications wavelengths. The results presented here show that doped silicon, particularly in micro- or nanostructures, is a promising dynamic metamaterial for ultrafast IR photonics.

Ultrafast Silicon Photonics with Visible to Mid-Infrared Pumping of Silicon Nanocrystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Diroll, Benjamin T.; Schramke, Katelyn S.; Guo, Peijun

Dynamic optical control of infrared (IR) transparency and refractive index is achieved using boron-doped silicon nanocrystals excited with mid-IR optical pulses. Also, unlike previous silicon-based optical switches, large changes in transmittance are achieved without a fabricated structure by exploiting strong light coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) produced from free holes of p-type silicon nanocrystals. The choice of optical excitation wavelength allows selectivity between hole heating and carrier generation through intraband or interband photoexcitation, respectively. Mid-IR optical pumping heats the free holes of p-Si nanocrystals to effective temperatures greater than 3500 K. Increases of the hole effective massmore » at high effective hole temperatures lead to a sub-picosecond change of the dielectric function resulting in a redshift of the LSPR, modulating mid-IR transmission by as much as 27% and increasing the index of refraction by more than 0.1 in the mid-IR. Low hole heat capacity dictates sub-picosecond hole cooling, substantially faster than carrier recombination, and negligible heating of the Si lattice, permitting mid-IR optical switching at terahertz repetition frequencies. Further, the energetic distribution of holes at high effective temperatures partially reverses the Burstein-Moss effect, permitting modulation of transmittance at telecommunications wavelengths. Lastly, the results presented here show that doped silicon, particularly in micro- or nanostructures, is a promising dynamic metamaterial for ultrafast IR photonics.« less

Ultrafast Silicon Photonics with Visible to Mid-Infrared Pumping of Silicon Nanocrystals

DOE PAGES

Diroll, Benjamin T.; Schramke, Katelyn S.; Guo, Peijun; ...

2017-09-11

Dynamic optical control of infrared (IR) transparency and refractive index is achieved using boron-doped silicon nanocrystals excited with mid-IR optical pulses. Also, unlike previous silicon-based optical switches, large changes in transmittance are achieved without a fabricated structure by exploiting strong light coupling of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) produced from free holes of p-type silicon nanocrystals. The choice of optical excitation wavelength allows selectivity between hole heating and carrier generation through intraband or interband photoexcitation, respectively. Mid-IR optical pumping heats the free holes of p-Si nanocrystals to effective temperatures greater than 3500 K. Increases of the hole effective massmore » at high effective hole temperatures lead to a sub-picosecond change of the dielectric function resulting in a redshift of the LSPR, modulating mid-IR transmission by as much as 27% and increasing the index of refraction by more than 0.1 in the mid-IR. Low hole heat capacity dictates sub-picosecond hole cooling, substantially faster than carrier recombination, and negligible heating of the Si lattice, permitting mid-IR optical switching at terahertz repetition frequencies. Further, the energetic distribution of holes at high effective temperatures partially reverses the Burstein-Moss effect, permitting modulation of transmittance at telecommunications wavelengths. Lastly, the results presented here show that doped silicon, particularly in micro- or nanostructures, is a promising dynamic metamaterial for ultrafast IR photonics.« less

Narrow line width dual wavelength semiconductor optical amplifier based random fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shawki, Heba A.; Kotb, Hussein E.; Khalil, Diaa

2018-02-01

A novel narrow line-width Single longitudinal mode (SLM) dual wavelength random fiber laser of 20 nm separation between wavelengths of 1530 and 1550 nm is presented. The laser is based on Rayleigh backscattering in a standard single mode fiber of 2 Km length as distributed mirrors, and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as the optical amplification medium. Two optical bandpass filters are used for the two wavelengths selectivity, and two Faraday Rotator mirrors are used to stabilize the two lasing wavelengths against fiber random birefringence. The optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) was measured to be 38 dB. The line-width of the laser was measured to be 13.3 and 14 KHz at 1530 and 1550 nm respectively, at SOA pump current of 370 mA.

Tuning the Sensitivity of an Optical Cavity with Slow and Fast Light

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, David D.; Myneni, Krishna; Chang, H.; Toftul, A.; Schambeau, C.; Odutola, J. A.; Diels, J. C.

2012-01-01

We have measured mode pushing by the dispersion of a rubidium vapor in a Fabry-Perot cavity and have shown that the scale factor and sensitivity of a passive cavity can be strongly enhanced by the presence of such an anomalous dispersion medium. The enhancement is the result of the atom-cavity coupling, which provides a positive feedback to the cavity response. The cavity sensitivity can also be controlled and tuned through a pole by a second, optical pumping, beam applied transverse to the cavity. Alternatively, the sensitivity can be controlled by the introduction of a second counter-propagating input beam that interferes with the first beam, coherently increasing the cavity absorptance. We show that the pole in the sensitivity occurs when the sum of the effective group index and an additional cavity delay factor that accounts for mode reshaping goes to zero, and is an example of an exceptional point, commonly associated with coupled non-Hermitian Hamiltonian systems. Additionally we show that a normal dispersion feature can decrease the cavity scale factor and can be generated through velocity selective optical pumping

Coherent generation of symmetry-forbidden phonons by light-induced electron-phonon interactions in magnetite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borroni, S.; Baldini, E.; Katukuri, V. M.; Mann, A.; Parlinski, K.; Legut, D.; Arrell, C.; van Mourik, F.; Teyssier, J.; Kozlowski, A.; Piekarz, P.; Yazyev, O. V.; Oleś, A. M.; Lorenzana, J.; Carbone, F.

2017-09-01

Symmetry breaking across phase transitions often causes changes in selection rules and emergence of optical modes which can be detected via spectroscopic techniques or generated coherently in pump-probe experiments. In second-order or weakly first-order transitions, fluctuations of the ordering field are present above the ordering temperature, giving rise to intriguing precursor phenomena, such as critical opalescence. Here, we demonstrate that in magnetite (Fe3O4 ) light excitation couples to the critical fluctuations of the charge order and coherently generates structural modes of the ordered phase above the critical temperature of the Verwey transition. Our findings are obtained by detecting coherent oscillations of the optical constants through ultrafast broadband spectroscopy and analyzing their dependence on temperature. To unveil the coupling between the structural modes and the electronic excitations, at the origin of the Verwey transition, we combine our results from pump-probe experiments with spontaneous Raman scattering data and theoretical calculations of both the phonon dispersion curves and the optical constants. Our methodology represents an effective tool to study the real-time dynamics of critical fluctuations across phase transitions.

Phonon-assisted nonlinear optical processes in ultrashort-pulse pumped optical parametric amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaienko, Oleksandr; Robel, István

2016-03-01

Optically active phonon modes in ferroelectrics such as potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) and potassium titanyl arsenate (KTA) in the ~7-20 THz range play an important role in applications of these materials in Raman lasing and terahertz wave generation. Previous studies with picosecond pulse excitation demonstrated that the interaction of pump pulses with phonons can lead to efficient stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) accompanying optical parametric oscillation or amplification processes (OPO/OPA), and to efficient polariton-phonon scattering. In this work, we investigate the behavior of infrared OPAs employing KTP or KTA crystals when pumped with ~800-nm ultrashort pulses of duration comparable to the oscillation period of the optical phonons. We demonstrate that under conditions of coherent impulsive Raman excitation of the phonons, when the effective χ(2) nonlinearity cannot be considered instantaneous, the parametrically amplified waves (most notably, signal) undergo significant spectral modulations leading to an overall redshift of the OPA output. The pump intensity dependence of the redshifted OPA output, the temporal evolution of the parametric gain, as well as the pump spectral modulations suggest the presence of coupling between the nonlinear optical polarizations PNL of the impulsively excited phonons and those of parametrically amplified waves.

S-band optical amplification by an internally generated pump in thulium ytterbium codoped fiber.

PubMed

Chang, Jun; Wang, Qing-Pu; Zhang, Xingyu; Liu, Zhejin; Liu, Zhaojun; Peng, Gang-Ding

2005-05-30

We propose a novel scheme in which Yb3+ codoping and a laser cavity are introduced in Tm3+ doped fiber to achieve efficient S-band optical amplification with a 980 nm pump source. This scheme makes it possible for conventional 980 nm pump sources for Er3+ doped fiber amplifiers to be used for S-band Tm3+ doped fiber amplifiers (TDFAs). By introducing a laser cavity into an amplifier, an internally generated pump from Yb3+ at a desirable wavelength for pumping Tm3+ could be produced. We establish and analyze, for the first time to our knowledge, a new theoretical model that takes into consideration both the internal lasing operation inside the optical amplification process and the energy transfer between the Tm3+ and the Yb3+ ions in TDFAs. Various situations such as Tm3+ doping concentration and cavity reflectivity have been investigated. The results show that high optical gain and high pump efficiency can be achieved by use of 980 nm sources. With a laser cavity of 1050 nm in Tm3+ and Yb3+ codoped fiber, for example, it is possible to achieve high optical gain of greater than 20 dB, a noise figure of approximately 5 dB in the wavelength range from 1450 to 1480 nm with a 0.3 W power at 980 nm pump source.

Optical pumping and xenon NMR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raftery, M. Daniel

1991-11-01

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of xenon has become an important tool for investigating a wide variety of materials, especially those with high surface area. The sensitivity of its chemical shift to environment, and its chemical inertness and adsorption properties make xenon a particularly useful NMR probe. This work discusses the application of optical pumping to enhance the sensitivity of xenon NMR experiments, thereby allowing them to be used in the study of systems with lower surface area. A novel method of optically-pumping 129Xe in low magnetic field below an NMR spectrometer and subsequent transfer of the gas to highmore » magnetic field is described. NMR studies of the highly polarized gas adsorbed onto powdered samples with low to moderate surface areas are now possible. For instance, NMR studies of optically-pumped xenon adsorbed onto polyacrylic acid show that xenon has a large interaction with the surface. By modeling the low temperature data in terms of a sticking probability and the gas phase xenon-xenon interaction, the diffusion coefficient for xenon at the surface of the polymer is determined. The sensitivity enhancement afforded by optical pumping also allows the NMR observation of xenon thin films frozen onto the inner surfaces of different sample cells. The geometry of the thin films results in interesting line shapes that are due to the bulk magnetic susceptibility of xenon. Experiments are also described that combine optical pumping with optical detection for high sensitivity in low magnetic field to observe the quadrupoler evolution of 131 Xe spins at the surface of the pumping cells. In cells with macroscopic asymmetry, a residual quadrupolar interaction causes a splitting in the 131Xe NMR frequencies in bare Pyrex glass cells and cells with added hydrogen.« less

Optical pumping and xenon NMR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raftery, M.D.

1991-11-01

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of xenon has become an important tool for investigating a wide variety of materials, especially those with high surface area. The sensitivity of its chemical shift to environment, and its chemical inertness and adsorption properties make xenon a particularly useful NMR probe. This work discusses the application of optical pumping to enhance the sensitivity of xenon NMR experiments, thereby allowing them to be used in the study of systems with lower surface area. A novel method of optically-pumping [sup 129]Xe in low magnetic field below an NMR spectrometer and subsequent transfer of the gas tomore » high magnetic field is described. NMR studies of the highly polarized gas adsorbed onto powdered samples with low to moderate surface areas are now possible. For instance, NMR studies of optically-pumped xenon adsorbed onto polyacrylic acid show that xenon has a large interaction with the surface. By modeling the low temperature data in terms of a sticking probability and the gas phase xenon-xenon interaction, the diffusion coefficient for xenon at the surface of the polymer is determined. The sensitivity enhancement afforded by optical pumping also allows the NMR observation of xenon thin films frozen onto the inner surfaces of different sample cells. The geometry of the thin films results in interesting line shapes that are due to the bulk magnetic susceptibility of xenon. Experiments are also described that combine optical pumping with optical detection for high sensitivity in low magnetic field to observe the quadrupoler evolution of 131 Xe spins at the surface of the pumping cells. In cells with macroscopic asymmetry, a residual quadrupolar interaction causes a splitting in the [sup 131]Xe NMR frequencies in bare Pyrex glass cells and cells with added hydrogen.« less

Designing optically pumped InGaN quantum wells with long wavelength emission for a phosphor-free device with polarized white-light emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kowsz, Stacy J.; Pynn, Christopher D.; Wu, Feng; Farrell, Robert M.; Speck, James S.; DenBaars, Steven P.; Nakamura, Shuji

2016-02-01

We report a semipolar III-nitride device in which an electrically injected blue light emitting diode optically pumps monolithic long wavelength emitting quantum wells (QWs) to create polarized white light. We have demonstrated an initial device with emission peaks at 440 nm and 560 nm from the electrically injected and optically pumped QWs, respectively. By tuning the ratio of blue to yellow, white light was measured with a polarization ratio of 0.40. High indium content InGaN is required for long wavelength emission but is difficult to achieve because it requires low growth temperatures and has a large lattice mismatch with GaN. This device design incorporates optically pumped QWs for long wavelength emission because they offer advantages over using electrically injected QWs. Optically pumped QWs do not have to be confined within a p-n junction, and carrier transport is not a concern. Thus, thick GaN barriers can be incorporated between multiple InGaN QWs to manage stress. Optically pumping long wavelength emitting QWs also eliminates high temperature steps that degrade high indium content InGaN but are required when growing p-GaN for an LED structure. Additionally, by eliminating electrical injection, the doping profile can instead be engineered to affect the emission wavelength. We discuss ongoing work focused on improving polarized white light emission by optimizing the optically pumped QWs. We consider the effects of growth conditions, including: trimethylindium (TMI) flow rate, InGaN growth rate, and growth temperature. We also examine the effects of epitaxial design, including: QW width, number of QWs, and doping.

Enhanced magnetic Purcell effect in room-temperature masers

PubMed Central

Breeze, Jonathan; Tan, Ke-Jie; Richards, Benjamin; Sathian, Juna; Oxborrow, Mark; Alford, Neil McN

2015-01-01

Recently, the world’s first room-temperature maser was demonstrated. The maser consisted of a sapphire ring housing a crystal of pentacene-doped p-terphenyl, pumped by a pulsed rhodamine-dye laser. Stimulated emission of microwaves was aided by the high quality factor and small magnetic mode volume of the maser cavity yet the peak optical pumping power was 1.4 kW. Here we report dramatic miniaturization and 2 orders of magnitude reduction in optical pumping power for a room-temperature maser by coupling a strontium titanate resonator with the spin-polarized population inversion provided by triplet states in an optically excited pentacene-doped p-terphenyl crystal. We observe maser emission in a thimble-sized resonator using a xenon flash lamp as an optical pump source with peak optical power of 70 W. This is a significant step towards the goal of continuous maser operation. PMID:25698634

High average power scaling of optical parametric amplification through cascaded difference-frequency generators

DOEpatents

Jovanovic, Igor; Comaskey, Brian J.

2004-09-14

A first pump pulse and a signal pulse are injected into a first optical parametric amplifier. This produces a first amplified signal pulse. At least one additional pump pulse and the first amplified signal pulse are injected into at least one additional optical parametric amplifier producing an increased power coherent optical pulse.

Prediction performance of reservoir computing systems based on a diode-pumped erbium-doped microchip laser subject to optical feedback.

PubMed

Nguimdo, Romain Modeste; Lacot, Eric; Jacquin, Olivier; Hugon, Olivier; Van der Sande, Guy; Guillet de Chatellus, Hugues

2017-02-01

Reservoir computing (RC) systems are computational tools for information processing that can be fully implemented in optics. Here, we experimentally and numerically show that an optically pumped laser subject to optical delayed feedback can yield similar results to those obtained for electrically pumped lasers. Unlike with previous implementations, the input data are injected at a time interval that is much larger than the time-delay feedback. These data are directly coupled to the feedback light beam. Our results illustrate possible new avenues for RC implementations for prediction tasks.

The manipulated left-handedness in a rare-earth-ion-doped optical fiber by the incoherent pumping field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Shun-Cai; Guo, Hong-Wei; Wei, Xiao-Jing

2017-10-01

The left-handedness was demonstrated by the simulation with a three-level quantum system in an Er3+ -dopped ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3- AlF3-NaF (ZBLAFN) optical fiber. And the left-handedness can be regulated by the incoherent pumping field. Our scheme may provide a solid candidate other than the coherent atomic vapor for left-handedness, and may extend the application of the rare-earth-ion-doped optical fiber in metamaterials and of the incoherent pumping light field in quantum optics.

Two and Three Beam Pumped Optical Parametric Amplifier of Chirped Pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ališauskas, S.; Butkus, R.; Pyragaitė, V.; Smilgevičius, V.; Stabinis, A.; Piskarskas, A.

2010-04-01

We present two and three beam pumped optical parametric amplifier of broadband chirped pulses. The seed pulses from Ti:sapphire oscillator were stretched and amplified in a non-collinear geometry pumping with up to three beams derived from independent laser amplifiers. The signal with ˜90 nm bandwidth was amplified up to 0.72 mJ. The conversion efficiency dependence on intersection angles of pump beams is also revealed.

A fiber-laser-pumped four-wavelength continuous-wave mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Peng; Shang, Yaping; Li, Xiao; Xu, Xiaojun

2017-10-01

In this paper, a four-wavelength continuous-wave mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator was demonstrated for the first time. The pump source was a home-built linearly polarized Yb-doped fiber laser and the maximum output power was 72.5 W. The pump source had three central wavelengths locating at 1060 nm, 1065 nm and 1080 nm. Four idler emissions with different wavelengths were generated which were 3132 nm, 3171 nm, 3310 nm and 3349 nm under the maximum pump power. The maximum idler output reached 8.7 W, indicating a 15% pump-to-idler slope efficiency. The signal wave generated in the experiment had two wavelengths which were 1595 nm and 1603 nm under the maximum pump power. It was analyzed that four nonlinear progresses occurred in the experiment, two of them being optical parametric oscillation and the rest two being intracavity difference frequency generation.

Frequency-doubled DBR-tapered diode laser for direct pumping of Ti:sapphire lasers generating sub-20 fs pulses.

PubMed

Müller, André; Jensen, Ole Bjarlin; Unterhuber, Angelika; Le, Tuan; Stingl, Andreas; Hasler, Karl-Heinz; Sumpf, Bernd; Erbert, Götz; Andersen, Peter E; Petersen, Paul Michael

2011-06-20

For the first time a single-pass frequency doubled DBR-tapered diode laser suitable for pumping Ti:sapphire lasers generating ultrashort pulses is demonstrated. The maximum output powers achieved when pumping the Ti:sapphire laser are 110 mW (CW) and 82 mW (mode-locked) respectively at 1.2 W of pump power. This corresponds to a reduction in optical conversion efficiencies to 75% of the values achieved with a commercial diode pumped solid-state laser. However, the superior electro-optical efficiency of the diode laser improves the overall efficiency of the Ti:sapphire laser by a factor > 2. The optical spectrum emitted by the Ti:sapphire laser when pumped with our diode laser shows a spectral width of 112 nm (FWHM). Based on autocorrelation measurements, pulse widths of less than 20 fs can therefore be expected.

Design of three-well indirect pumping terahertz quantum cascade lasers for high optical gain based on nonequilibrium Green's function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Tao; Kubis, Tillmann; Jie Wang, Qi; Klimeck, Gerhard

2012-03-01

The nonequilibrium Green's function approach is applied to the design of three-well indirect pumping terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) based on a resonant phonon depopulation scheme. The effects of the anticrossing of the injector states and the dipole matrix element of the laser levels on the optical gain of THz QCLs are studied. The results show that a design that results in a more pronounced anticrossing of the injector states will achieve a higher optical gain in the indirect pumping scheme compared to the traditional resonant-tunneling injection scheme. This offers in general a more efficient coherent resonant-tunneling transport of electrons in the indirect pumping scheme. It is also shown that, for operating temperatures below 200 K and low lasing frequencies, larger dipole matrix elements, i.e., vertical optical transitions, offer a higher optical gain. In contrast, in the case of high lasing frequencies, smaller dipole matrix elements, i.e., diagonal optical transitions are better for achieving a higher optical gain.

Broadband midinfrared frequency comb with tooth scanning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Kevin F.; Masłowski, P.; Mills, A.; Mohr, C.; Jiang, Jie; Schunemann, Peter G.; Fermann, M. E.

2015-03-01

Frequency combs are a massively parallel source of extremely accurate optical frequencies. Frequency combs generally operate at the visible or near-infrared wavelengths, but fundamental molecular vibrations occur at midinfrared wavelengths. We demonstrate an optically-referenced, broadband midinfrared frequency comb based on a doublyresonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO). By tuning the wavelength of the reference laser, the comb line frequencies are tuned as well. By scanning the reference wavelength, any frequency can be accessed, not just the frequencies of the base comb. Combined with our comb-resolving Fourier transform spectrometer, we can measure 200 wavenumber wide broadband absorption spectra with 200 kHz linewidth comb teeth. Our OPO is pumped by an amplified Tm fiber frequency comb, with phase-locked carrier envelope offset frequency, and repetition rate fixed by phase-locking a frequency comb line to a narrow linewidth diode laser at a telecom channel. The frequency comb is referenced to GPS by long-term stabilization of the repetition rate to a selected value using the temperature of the reference laser as the control. The resulting pump comb is about 3W of 100 fs pulses at 418 MHz repetition rate at 1950 nm. Part of the comb is used for supercontinuum generation for frequency stabilization, and the rest pumps an orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OP-GaAs) crystal in a doubly-resonant optical parametric oscillator cavity, yielding collinear signal and idler beams from about 3 to 5.5 μm. We verify comb scanning by resolving the 200 MHz wide absorption lines of the entire fundamental CO vibrational manifold at 11 Torr pressure.

Power amplification for petawatt Ti: Sapphire lasers: New strategies for high fluence pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canova, F.; Chambaret, J.-P.

2006-06-01

One of the major bottlenecks when we pump large Ti:Sapphire crystals, to reach Petawatt level laser amplification, is the careful control of the spatial energy distribution of Nd:Glass pump lasers. Commercially available nanosecond Nd:Glass and Nd:YAG lasers exhibit poor spatial profile quality especially in the near and in the intermediate field, which can lead to local hot spots, responsible of damages in crystals, and parasitic transverse lasing enhancement, strongly dependent on the profile of the pump beam . For these reasons, it is mandatory to keep the pump beam intensity profile as flat as possible on the pumped crystal. To guarantee the best pumping conditions we are investigating the combined use of DOE (diffractive optical elements) and optical smoothing techniques. In parallel we are starting a study on laser induced damages mechanisms in crystal. With DOE and microlens arrays we plan to guarantee to the beam a supergaussian shape. Simulation and first experiments with both optical systems show that a flat top spatial profile with less than 10% fluctuations and a 8th order supergaussian is possible with the present technology.Optical smoothing will keep the beam free of hot spots. We especially focused on the smoothing techniques involving optical fibers. This is the first time to our knowledge that this technique is applied to the pumping beams for Ti:Sapphire systems. A deep study of laser-crystal interaction will allow us to fully understand the damages created by hot spots. The knowledge of the phenomena involved in laser damages on Ti:Sapphire is mandatory to control the pumping processes and thresholds. In conclusion, mixing the advantages of these different approaches to overcome this bottleneck will allow us to amplify in a safety way femtosecond laser beams to the Petawatt level using Ti:Sapphire crystals.

Optical study of active ion transport in lipid vesicles containing reconstituted Na,K-ATPase.

PubMed

Apell, H J; Marcus, M M; Anner, B M; Oetliker, H; Läuger, P

1985-01-01

A fluorescence method is described for the measurement of ATP-driven ion fluxes in lipid vesicles containing purified Na,K-ATPase. The membrane voltage of enzyme containing vesicles was measured by using a voltage-sensitive indocyanine dye. By addition of valinomycin the vesicle membrane is made selectively permeable to K+ so that the membrane voltage approaches the Nernst potential for K+. With constant external K+ concentration, the time course of internal K+ concentration can be continuously measured as change of the fluorescence signal after activation of the pump. The optical method has a higher time resolution than tracer-flux experiments and allows an accurate determination of initial flux rates. From the temperature dependence of active K+ transport its activation energy was determined to be 115 kJ/mol. ATP-stimulated electrogenic pumping can be measured as fast fluorescence change when the membrane conductance is low (i.e., at low or zero valinomycin concentration). In accordance with expectation, the amplitude of the fast signal change increases with decreasing passive ion permeability of the vesicle membrane. The resolution of the charge movement is so high that a few pump turnovers can be easily detected.

Far infrared pump injection using an alumina waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nedvidek, F. J.; Kucerovsky, Z.; Brannen, Eric

1987-01-01

An alumina waveguide extension is employed to channel infrared radiation from a CO2 waveguide laser into an optically pumped far IR waveguide laser resonator in order to obtain far IR lasing with methyl alcohol and other media. Low pump transmission losses and efficient free space coupling are possible with proper choice of waveguide bore. The technique compares favorably with other injection schemes using refractive optics, and it offers greater flexibility, easier alignment, and less expense than optical arrangements using lenses.

Hydraulic pump with in-ground filtration and monitoring capability

DOEpatents

Hopkins, C.D.; Livingston, R.R.; Toole, W.R. Jr.

1995-01-01

A hydraulically operated pump is described for in-ground filtering and monitoring of wells or other fluid sources, including a hollow cylindrical pump housing with an inlet and an outlet, filtering devices positioned in the inlet and the outlet, a piston that fits slidably within the pump housing, and an optical cell in fluid communication with the pump housing. A conduit within the piston allows fluid communication between the exterior and one end of the piston. A pair of O-rings form a seal between the inside of the pump housing and the exterior of the piston. A flow valve positioned within the piston inside the conduit allows fluid to flow in a single direction. In operation, fluid enters the pump housing through the inlet, flows through the conduit and towards an end of the pump housing. The piston then makes a downward stroke closing the valve, thus forcing the fluid out from the pump housing into the optical cell, which then takes spectrophotometric measurements of the fluid. A spring helps return the piston back to its starting position, so that a new supply of fluid may enter the pump housing and the downward stroke can begin again. The pump may be used independently of the optical cell, as a sample pump to transport a sample fluid from a source to a container for later analysis.

Hydraulic pump with in-ground filtration and monitoring capability

DOEpatents

Hopkins, C.D.; Livingston, R.R.; Toole, W.R. Jr.

1996-10-29

A hydraulically operated pump is described for in-ground filtering and monitoring of waters or other fluid sources, includes a hollow cylindrical pump housing with an inlet and an outlet, filtering devices positioned in the inlet and the outlet, a piston that fits slidably within the pump housing, and an optical cell in fluid communication with the pump housing. A conduit within the piston allows fluid communication between the exterior and one end of the piston. A pair of o-rings form a seal between the inside of the pump housing and the exterior of the piston. A flow valve positioned within the piston inside the conduit allows fluid to flow in a single direction. In operation, fluid enters the pump housing through the inlet, flows through the conduit and towards an end of the pump housing. The piston then makes a downward stroke closing the valve, thus forcing the fluid out from the pump housing into the optical cell, which then takes spectrophotometric measurements of the fluid. A spring helps return the piston back to its starting position, so that a new supply of fluid may enter the pump housing and the downward stroke can begin again. The pump may be used independently of the optical cell, as a sample pump to transport a sample fluid from a source to a container for later analysis. 5 figs.

Hydraulic pump with in-ground filtration and monitoring capability

DOEpatents

Hopkins, Charles D.; Livingston, Ronald R.; Toole, Jr., William R.

1996-01-01

A hydraulically operated pump for in-ground filtering and monitoring of ws or other fluid sources, including a hollow cylindrical pump housing with an inlet and an outlet, filtering devices positioned in the inlet and the outlet, a piston that fits slidably within the pump housing, and an optical cell in fluid communication with the pump housing. A conduit within the piston allows fluid communication between the exterior and one end of the piston. A pair of o-rings form a seal between the inside of the pump housing and the exterior of the piston. A flow valve positioned within the piston inside the conduit allows fluid to flow in a single direction. In operation, fluid enters the pump housing through the inlet, flows through the conduit and towards an end of the pump housing. The piston then makes a downward stroke closing the valve, thus forcing the fluid out from the pump housing into the optical cell, which then takes spectrophotometric measurements of the fluid. A spring helps return the piston back to its starting position, so that a new supply of fluid may enter the pump housing and the downward stroke can begin again. The pump may be used independently of the optical cell, as a sample pump to transport a sample fluid from a source to a container for later analysis.

High average power laser using a transverse flowing liquid host

DOEpatents

Ault, Earl R.; Comaskey, Brian J.; Kuklo, Thomas C.

2003-07-29

A laser includes an optical cavity. A diode laser pumping device is located within the optical cavity. An aprotic lasing liquid containing neodymium rare earth ions fills the optical cavity. A circulation system that provides a closed loop for circulating the aprotic lasing liquid into and out of the optical cavity includes a pump and a heat exchanger.

Organo-erbium systems for optical amplification at telecommunications wavelengths.

PubMed

Ye, H Q; Li, Z; Peng, Y; Wang, C C; Li, T Y; Zheng, Y X; Sapelkin, A; Adamopoulos, G; Hernández, I; Wyatt, P B; Gillin, W P

2014-04-01

Modern telecommunications rely on the transmission and manipulation of optical signals. Optical amplification plays a vital part in this technology, as all components in a real telecommunications system produce some loss. The two main issues with present amplifiers, which rely on erbium ions in a glass matrix, are the difficulty in integration onto a single substrate and the need of high pump power densities to produce gain. Here we show a potential organic optical amplifier material that demonstrates population inversion when pumped from above using low-power visible light. This system is integrated into an organic light-emitting diode demonstrating that electrical pumping can be achieved. This opens the possibility of direct electrically driven optical amplifiers and optical circuits. Our results provide an alternative approach to producing low-cost integrated optics that is compatible with existing silicon photonics and a different route to an effective integrated optics technology.

Short pulse generation from a passively mode-locked fiber optical parametric oscillator with optical time-stretch.

PubMed

Qiu, Yi; Wei, Xiaoming; Du, Shuxin; Wong, Kenneth K Y; Tsia, Kevin K; Xu, Yiqing

2018-04-16

We propose a passively mode-locked fiber optical parametric oscillator assisted with optical time-stretch. Thanks to the lately developed optical time-stretch technique, the onset oscillating spectral components can be temporally dispersed across the pump envelope and further compete for the parametric gain with the other parts of onset oscillating sidebands within the pump envelope. By matching the amount of dispersion in optical time-stretch with the pulse width of the quasi-CW pump and oscillating one of the parametric sidebands inside the fiber cavity, we numerically show that the fiber parametric oscillator can be operated in a single pulse regime. By varying the amount of the intracavity dispersion, we further verify that the origin of this single pulse mode-locking regime is due to the optical pulse stretching and compression.

Intracavity-pumped Raman laser action in a mid IR, continuous-wave (cw) MgO:PPLN optical parametric oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okishev, Andrey V.; Zuegel, Jonathan D.

2006-12-01

Intracavity-pumped Raman laser action in a fiber-laser pumped, single-resonant, continuous-wave (cw) MgO:PPLN optical parametric oscillator with a high-Q linear resonator has been observed for the first time to our knowledge. Experimental results of this phenomenon investigation will be discussed.

Solid state laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rines, Glen A. (Inventor); Moulton, Peter F. (Inventor); Harrison, James (Inventor)

1993-01-01

A wavelength-tunable, injection-seeded, dispersion-compensated, dispersively-pumped solid state laser includes a lasing medium; a highly reflective mirror; an output coupler; at least one isosceles Brewster prism oriented to the minimum deviation angle between the medium and the mirror for directing light of different wavelengths along different paths; means for varying the angle of the highly reflective mirror relative to the light from at least one Brewster angle for selecting a predetermined laser operating wavelength; a dispersion compensation apparatus associated with the lasing medium; a laser injection seeding port disposed between the dispersion compensation apparatus and one of the mirror and coupler and including a reflective surface at an acute non-Brewster angle to the laser beam for introducing a seed input; a dispersion compensation apparatus associated with the laser medium including opposite chirality optical elements; the lasing medium including a pump surface disposed at an acute angle to the laser beam to define a discrete path for the pumping laser beam separate from the pumped laser beam.

Repetitive Interrogation of 2-Level Quantum Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prestage, John D.; Chung, Sang K.

2010-01-01

Trapped ion clocks derive information from a reference atomic transition by repetitive interrogations of the same quantum system, either a single ion or ionized gas of many millions of ions. Atomic beam frequency standards, by contrast, measure reference atomic transitions in a continuously replenished "flow through" configuration where initial ensemble atomic coherence is zero. We will describe some issues and problems that can arise when atomic state selection and preparation of the quantum atomic system is not completed, that is, optical pumping has not fully relaxed the coherence and also not fully transferred atoms to the initial state. We present a simple two-level density matrix analysis showing how frequency shifts during the state-selection process can cause frequency shifts of the measured clock transition. Such considerations are very important when a low intensity lamp light source is used for state selection, where there is relatively weak relaxation and re-pumping of ions to an initial state and much weaker 'environmental' relaxation of the atomic coherence set-up in the atomic sample.

Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Fano-Like Resonance between Optical Phonon and Excitons in CdSe Quantum Dots: Dependence of Coherent Vibrational Wave-Packet Dynamics on Pump Fluence

PubMed Central

Aybush, Arseniy; Gostev, Fedor; Shelaev, Ivan; Titov, Andrey; Umanskiy, Stanislav; Cherepanov, Dmitry

2017-01-01

The main goal of the present work is to study the coherent phonon in strongly confined CdSe quantum dots (QDs) under varied pump fluences. The main characteristics of coherent phonons (amplitude, frequency, phase, spectrogram) of CdSe QDs under the red-edge pump of the excitonic band [1S(e)-1S3/2(h)] are reported. We demonstrate for the first time that the amplitude of the coherent optical longitudinal-optical (LO) phonon at 6.16 THz excited in CdSe nanoparticles by a femtosecond unchirped pulse shows a non-monotone dependence on the pump fluence. This dependence exhibits the maximum at pump fluence ~0.8 mJ/cm2. At the same time, the amplitudes of the longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon mode at 0.55 THz and of the coherent wave packet of toluene at 15.6, 23.6 THz show a monotonic rise with the increase of pump fluence. The time frequency representation of an oscillating signal corresponding to LO phonons revealed by continuous wavelet transform (CWT) shows a profound destructive quantum interference close to the origin of distinct (optical phonon) and continuum-like (exciton) quasiparticles. The CWT spectrogram demonstrates a nonlinear chirp at short time delays, where the chirp sign depends on the pump pulse fluence. The CWT spectrogram reveals an anharmonic coupling between optical and acoustic phonons. PMID:29113056

Phonon-assisted nonlinear optical processes in ultrashort-pulse pumped optical parametric amplifiers

DOE PAGES

Isaienko, Oleksandr; Robel, Istvan

2016-03-15

Optically active phonon modes in ferroelectrics such as potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) and potassium titanyl arsenate (KTA) in the ~7–20 THz range play an important role in applications of these materials in Raman lasing and terahertz wave generation. Previous studies with picosecond pulse excitation demonstrated that the interaction of pump pulses with phonons can lead to efficient stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) accompanying optical parametric oscillation or amplification processes (OPO/OPA), and to efficient polariton-phonon scattering. In this work, we investigate the behavior of infrared OPAs employing KTP or KTA crystals when pumped with ~800-nm ultrashort pulses of duration comparable to themore » oscillation period of the optical phonons. We demonstrate that under conditions of coherent impulsive Raman excitation of the phonons, when the effective χ (2) nonlinearity cannot be considered instantaneous, the parametrically amplified waves (most notably, signal) undergo significant spectral modulations leading to an overall redshift of the OPA output. Furthermore, the pump intensity dependence of the redshifted OPA output, the temporal evolution of the parametric gain, as well as the pump spectral modulations suggest the presence of coupling between the nonlinear optical polarizations P NL of the impulsively excited phonons and those of parametrically amplified waves.« less

Auto-locking waveguide amplifier system for lidar and magnetometric applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pouliot, A.; Beica, H. C.; Carew, A.; Vorozcovs, A.; Carlse, G.; Kumarakrishnan, A.

2018-02-01

We describe a compact waveguide amplifier system that is suitable for optically pumping rubidium magnetometers. The system consists of an auto-locking vacuum-sealed external cavity diode laser, a semiconductor tapered amplifier and a pulsing unit based on an acousto-optic modulator. The diode laser utilises optical feedback from an interference filter to narrow the linewidth of an inexpensive laser diode to 500 kHz. This output is scannable over an 8 GHz range (at 780 nm) and can be locked without human intervention to any spectral marker in an expandable library of reference spectra, using the autolocking controller. The tapered amplifier amplifies the output from 50 mW up to 2 W with negligible distortions in the spectral quality. The system can operate at visible and near infrared wavelengths with MHz repetition rates. We demonstrate optical pumping of rubidium vapour with this system for magnetometric applications. The magnetometer detects the differential absorption of two orthogonally polarized components of a linearly polarized probe laser following optical pumping by a circularly polarized pump laser. The differential absorption signal is studied for a range of pulse lengths, pulse amplitudes and DC magnetic fields. Our results suggest that this laser system is suitable for optically pumping spin-exchange free magnetometers.

Atomic magnetometer

DOEpatents

Schwindt, Peter [Albuquerque, NM; Johnson, Cort N [Albuquerque, NM

2012-07-03

An atomic magnetometer is disclosed which uses a pump light beam at a D1 or D2 transition of an alkali metal vapor to magnetically polarize the vapor in a heated cell, and a probe light beam at a different D2 or D1 transition to sense the magnetic field via a polarization rotation of the probe light beam. The pump and probe light beams are both directed along substantially the same optical path through an optical waveplate and through the heated cell to an optical filter which blocks the pump light beam while transmitting the probe light beam to one or more photodetectors which generate electrical signals to sense the magnetic field. The optical waveplate functions as a quarter waveplate to circularly polarize the pump light beam, and as a half waveplate to maintain the probe light beam linearly polarized.

926 nm laser operation in Nd:GdNbO4 crystal based on 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Renpeng; Li, Xudong; Yao, Wenming; Shen, Yingjie; Zhou, Zhongxiang; Peng, Fang; Zhang, Qingli; Dou, Renqing; Gao, Jing

2018-05-01

926 nm laser operation in a Nd:GdNbO4 crystal based on quasi-three-level 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 transition is reported, for the first time to our best knowledge. An average output power of 393 mW at 926 nm under 879 nm LD pumping is obtained with a slope efficiency of 33.3% and an optical-to-optical efficiency of 26.0%. The slope efficiency with respect to absorbed pump power is estimated to be 47.7%. Comparison between output characters of 926 nm laser under direct and indirect pumping is conducted. The average output power at 926 nm under 808 nm LD pumping reaches 305 mW with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 16.1%.

Experimental investigation of the effect of pump incoherence on nonlinear pump spectral broadening and continuous-wave supercontinuum generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin-Lopez, S.; Carrasco-Sanz, A.; Corredera, P.; Abrardi, L.; Hernanz, M. L.; Gonzalez-Herraez, M.

2006-12-01

The development of high-power cw fiber lasers has triggered a great interest in the phenomena of nonlinear pump spectral broadening and cw supercontinuum generation. These effects have very convenient applications in Raman amplification, optical fiber metrology, and fiber sensing. In particular, it was recently shown that pump incoherence has a strong impact in these processes. We study experimentally the effect of pump incoherence in nonlinear pump spectral broadening and cw supercontinuum generation in optical fibers. We show that under certain experimental conditions an optimum degree of pump incoherence yields the best performance in the broadening process. We qualitatively explain these results, and we point out that these results may have important implications in cw supercontinuum optimization.

Solar powered blackbody-pumped lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christiansen, Walter H.; Sirota, J. M.

1991-02-01

A concept for a solar-powered laser is presented which utilizes an intermediate blackbody cavity to provide a uniform optical pumping environment for the lasant, typically CO or CO2 or possibly a solid state laser medium. High power cw blackbody- pumped lasers with efficiencies on the order of 20 percent or more are feasible. The physical basis of this idea is reviewed. Small scale experiments using a high temperature oven as the optical pump have been carried out with gas laser mixtures. Detailed calculations showing a potential efficiency of 35 percent for blackbody pumped Nd:YAG system are discussed.

Frequency-doubled vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser

DOEpatents

Raymond, Thomas D.; Alford, William J.; Crawford, Mary H.; Allerman, Andrew A.

2002-01-01

A frequency-doubled semiconductor vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) is disclosed for generating light at a wavelength in the range of 300-550 nanometers. The VECSEL includes a semiconductor multi-quantum-well active region that is electrically or optically pumped to generate lasing at a fundamental wavelength in the range of 600-1100 nanometers. An intracavity nonlinear frequency-doubling crystal then converts the fundamental lasing into a second-harmonic output beam. With optical pumping with 330 milliWatts from a semiconductor diode pump laser, about 5 milliWatts or more of blue light can be generated at 490 nm. The device has applications for high-density optical data storage and retrieval, laser printing, optical image projection, chemical-sensing, materials processing and optical metrology.

Active Faraday optical frequency standard.

PubMed

Zhuang, Wei; Chen, Jingbiao

2014-11-01

We propose the mechanism of an active Faraday optical clock, and experimentally demonstrate an active Faraday optical frequency standard based on narrow bandwidth Faraday atomic filter by the method of velocity-selective optical pumping of cesium vapor. The center frequency of the active Faraday optical frequency standard is determined by the cesium 6 (2)S(1/2) F=4 to 6 (2)P(3/2) F'=4 and 5 crossover transition line. The optical heterodyne beat between two similar independent setups shows that the frequency linewidth reaches 281(23) Hz, which is 1.9×10(4) times smaller than the natural linewidth of the cesium 852-nm transition line. The maximum emitted light power reaches 75 μW. The active Faraday optical frequency standard reported here has advantages of narrow linewidth and reduced cavity pulling, which can readily be extended to other atomic transition lines of alkali and alkaline-earth metal atoms trapped in optical lattices at magic wavelengths, making it useful for new generation of optical atomic clocks.

Optical Chirality in Nonlinear Optics: Application to High Harmonic Generation.

PubMed

Neufeld, Ofer; Cohen, Oren

2018-03-30

Optical chirality (OC)-one of the fundamental quantities of electromagnetic fields-corresponds to the instantaneous chirality of light. It has been utilized for exploring chiral light-matter interactions in linear optics, but has not yet been applied to nonlinear processes. Motivated to explore the role of OC in the generation of helically polarized high-order harmonics and attosecond pulses, we first separate the OC of transversal and paraxial beams to polarization and orbital terms. We find that the polarization-associated OC of attosecond pulses corresponds approximately to that of the pump in the quasimonochromatic case, but not in the multichromatic pump cases. We associate this discrepancy with the fact that the polarization OC of multichromatic pumps vary rapidly in time along the optical cycle. Thus, we propose new quantities, noninstantaneous polarization-associated OC, and time-scale-weighted polarization-associated OC, and show that these quantities link the chirality of multichromatic pumps and their generated attosecond pulses. The presented extension to OC theory should be useful for exploring various nonlinear chiral light-matter interactions. For example, it stimulates us to propose a tricircular pump for generation of highly elliptical attosecond pulses with a tunable ellipticity.

Optical Chirality in Nonlinear Optics: Application to High Harmonic Generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neufeld, Ofer; Cohen, Oren

2018-03-01

Optical chirality (OC)—one of the fundamental quantities of electromagnetic fields—corresponds to the instantaneous chirality of light. It has been utilized for exploring chiral light-matter interactions in linear optics, but has not yet been applied to nonlinear processes. Motivated to explore the role of OC in the generation of helically polarized high-order harmonics and attosecond pulses, we first separate the OC of transversal and paraxial beams to polarization and orbital terms. We find that the polarization-associated OC of attosecond pulses corresponds approximately to that of the pump in the quasimonochromatic case, but not in the multichromatic pump cases. We associate this discrepancy with the fact that the polarization OC of multichromatic pumps vary rapidly in time along the optical cycle. Thus, we propose new quantities, noninstantaneous polarization-associated OC, and time-scale-weighted polarization-associated OC, and show that these quantities link the chirality of multichromatic pumps and their generated attosecond pulses. The presented extension to OC theory should be useful for exploring various nonlinear chiral light-matter interactions. For example, it stimulates us to propose a tricircular pump for generation of highly elliptical attosecond pulses with a tunable ellipticity.

High power continuous-wave titanium:sapphire laser

DOEpatents

Erbert, G.V.; Bass, I.L.; Hackel, R.P.; Jenkins, S.L.; Kanz, V.K.; Paisner, J.A.

1993-09-21

A high-power continuous-wave laser resonator is provided, wherein first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth mirrors form a double-Z optical cavity. A first Ti:sapphire rod is disposed between the second and third mirrors and at the mid-point of the length of the optical cavity, and a second Ti:sapphire rod is disposed between the fourth and fifth mirrors at a quarter-length point in the optical cavity. Each Ti:sapphire rod is pumped by two counter-propagating pump beams from a pair of argon-ion lasers. For narrow band operation, a 3-plate birefringent filter and an etalon are disposed in the optical cavity so that the spectral output of the laser consists of 5 adjacent cavity modes. For increased power, seventy and eighth mirrors are disposed between the first and second mirrors to form a triple-Z optical cavity. A third Ti:sapphire rod is disposed between the seventh and eighth mirrors at the other quarter-length point in the optical cavity, and is pumped by two counter-propagating pump beams from a third pair of argon-ion lasers. 5 figures.

Spin-orbit optical cross-phase-modulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brasselet, Etienne

2010-12-15

We show experimentally that optical phase singularities (PSs) can be written and erased, locally and in a controllable manner, into a light beam using the giant Kerr optical nonlinearities of liquid crystals. The method relies on the nonlinear optical spin-orbit coupling experienced by a collimated probe beam when a collinear focused pump beam imprints a radial birefringent pattern into a nematic film. In addition, experimental data are quantitatively described, accounting for the elastic anisotropy of the material and its nonlocal spatial response to the pump light field. Since we show that the optical intensity of a light beam (the 'pump')more » controls the phase of another beam (the 'probe') in a singular fashion (i.e., with the generation of a screw PS) via their interaction in a nonlinear medium that involves spin-orbit coupling, we dubbed such a nonlinear optical process as spin-orbit optical cross-phase-modulation.« less

Nonlinear optical effects in semi-polar GaN micro-cavity emitter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, Sween; Jiang, Hongxing; Lin, Jingyu; Neogi, Arup

Nonlinear optical (NLO) response of low dimensional emitters is of current interest because of the need for active elements in photonic applications. NLO effects in a selectively grown array of semi-polar GaN microcavity structures offer a promising route toward devices for integrated optical circuitry in optoelectronics and photonics field. Localized spatial excitation of a single hexagonal GaN microcavity with semipolar facets formed by selective area growth was optimized for nonlinear optical light generation due to second harmonic generation (SHG) and multi-photon luminescence(MPL). Multi-photon transition induced by tightly focused femtosecond NIR incident field results in ultra-violet and yellow luminescence for excitations above and below half bandgap energy, whereas SHG was observed for below half bandgap energy. We show that color and coherence of the light generation from the emitter can be controlled by selective onset of the nonlinear process which depends not only on the incident laser energy and intensity but also on the geometry of the microcavity. Quasi-WGM like modes were observed for off-resonant excitations from the GaN microcavity resulting in enhanced SHG. The directionality of MPL and SHG will be presented as a function of the pump polarization.

Microring embedded hollow polymer fiber laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Linslal, C. L., E-mail: linslal@gmail.com; Sebastian, S.; Mathew, S.

2015-03-30

Strongly modulated laser emission has been observed from rhodamine B doped microring resonator embedded in a hollow polymer optical fiber by transverse optical pumping. The microring resonator is fabricated on the inner wall of a hollow polymer fiber. Highly sharp lasing lines, strong mode selection, and a collimated laser beam are observed from the fiber. Nearly single mode lasing with a side mode suppression ratio of up to 11.8 dB is obtained from the strongly modulated lasing spectrum. The microring embedded hollow polymer fiber laser has shown efficient lasing characteristics even at a propagation length of 1.5 m.

Broadband atomic-layer MoS₂ optical modulators for ultrafast pulse generations in the visible range.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuxia; Yu, Haohai; Zhang, Rui; Zhao, Gang; Zhang, Huaijin; Chen, Yanxue; Mei, Liangmo; Tonelli, Mauro; Wang, Jiyang

2017-02-01

Visible lasers are a fascinating regime, and their significance is illustrated by the 2014 Noble prizes in physics and chemistry. With the development of blue laser diodes (LDs), the LD-pumped solid-state visible lasers become a burgeoning direction today. Constrained by the scarce visible optical modulators, the solid-state ultrafast visible lasers are rarely realized. Based on the bandgap structure and optoelectronic properties of atomic-layer MoS₂, it can be proposed that MoS₂ has the potential as a visible optical modulator. Here, by originally revealing layer-dependent nonlinear absorption of the atomic-layer MoS₂ in the visible range, broadband atomic-layer MoS₂ optical modulators for the visible ultrafast pulse generation are developed and selected based on the proposed design criteria for novel two-dimensional (2D) optical modulators. By applying the selected MoS₂ optical modulators in the solid-state praseodymium lasers, broadband mode-locked ultrafast lasers from 522 to 639 nm are originally realized. We believe that this Letter should promote the development of visible ultrafast photonics and further applications of 2D optoelectronic materials.

Microfabricated optically pumped magnetometer arrays for biomedical imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perry, A. R.; Sheng, D.; Krzyzewski, S. P.; Geller, S.; Knappe, S.

2017-02-01

Optically-pumped magnetometers have demonstrated magnetic field measurements as precise as the best superconducting quantum interference device magnetometers. Our group develops miniature alkali atom-based magnetic sensors using microfabrication technology. Our sensors do not require cryogenic cooling, and can be positioned very close to the sample, making these sensors an attractive option for development in the medical community. We will present our latest chip-scale optically-pumped gradiometer developed for array applications to image magnetic fields from the brain noninvasively. These developments should lead to improved spatial resolution, and potentially sensitive measurements in unshielded environments.

Modeling of the gain distribution for diode pumping of a solid-state laser rod with nonimaging optics.

PubMed

Koshel, R J; Walmsley, I A

1993-03-20

We investigate the absorption distribution in a cylindrical gain medium that is pumped by a source of distributed laser diodes by means of a pump cavity developed from the edge-ray principle of nonimaging optics. The performance of this pumping arrangement is studied by using a nonsequential, numerical, three-dimensional ray-tracing scheme. A figure of merit is defined for the pump cavities that takes into account the coupling efficiency and uniformity of the absorption distribution. It is found that the nonimaging pump cavity maintains a high coupling efficiency with extended two-dimensional diode arrays and obtains a fairly uniform absorption distribution. The nonimaging cavity is compared with two other designs: a close-coupled side-pumped cavity and an imaging design in the form of a elliptical cavity. The nonimaging cavity has a better figure of merit per diode than these two designs. It also permits the use of an extended, sparse, two-dimensional diode array, which reduces thermal loading of the source and eliminates all cavity optics other than the main reflector.

Generation of Optical Combs in a WGM Resonator from a Bichromatic Pump

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strekalov, Dmitry V.; Yu, Nan; Matsko, Andrey B.

2010-01-01

Optical combs generated by a monolithic resonator with Kerrmedium can be used in a number of applications, including orbital clocks and frequency standards of extremely high accuracy, such as astronomy, molecular spectroscopy, and the like. The main difficulty of this approach is the relatively high pump power that has to be used in such devices, causing undesired thermorefractive effects, as well as stimulated Raman scattering, and limiting the optical comb quality and utility. In order to overcome this problem, this innovation uses a different approach to excitation of the nonlinear oscillations in a Kerr-nonlinear whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonator and generation of the optical comb. By coupling to the resonator two optical pump frequencies instead of just one, the efficiency of the comb source can be increased considerably. It therefore can operate in a lowerpower regime where the undesirable effects are not present. This process does not have a power threshold; therefore, the new optical component can easily be made strong enough to generate further components, making the optical comb spread in a cascade fashion. Additionally, the comb spacing can be made in an arbitrary number of the resonator free spectral ranges (FSR). The experimental setup for this innovation used a fluorite resonator with OMEGA= 13.56 GHz. This material has very low dispersion at the wavelength of 1.5 microns, so the resonator spectrum around this wavelength is highly equidistant. Light was coupled in and out of the resonator using two optical fibers polished at the optimal coupling angle. The gap between the resonator and the fibers, affecting the light coupling and the resonator loading, was controlled by piezo positioners. The light from the input fiber that did not go into the resonator reflected off of its rim, and was collected by a photodetector. This enabled observation and measurement of the (absorption) spectrum of the resonator. The input fiber combined light from two lasers centered at around 1,560 nanometers. Both laser frequencies were simultaneously scanned around the selected WGMs of the same family. However, they were separated by one, two, three, or ten FSRs. This was achieved by fine-tuning each laser frequency offset until the selected resonances overlap on the oscilloscope screen. The resonator quality factor Q = 7 x 10(exp 7) was relatively low to increase the linewidth and, therefore, the duty cycle of both lasers simultaneously coupled into their WGMs. The optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) connected to the output fiber was continuously acquiring data, asynchronously with the laser scan. The instrument was set to retain the peak power values; therefore, a trace recorded for a sufficiently long period of time reflected the situation with both lasers maximally coupled to the WGMs.

Bidirectional optical bistability in a dual-pumped erbium doped fiber ring laser.

PubMed

Lai, W J; Shum, P; Binh, L

2004-11-15

We investigate bidirectional optical wave propagations in a dual-pumped erbium doped fiber ring laser without isolator, and observe optical bistability behaviors. Consequently, we propose and construct a NOLM-NALM fiber ring laser to demonstrate and exploit this bidirectional optical bistability phenomenon in optical switching by introducing two tunable variable ratio couplers in the system. Numerical analyses based on the proposed laser structure have also been demonstrated corroborated with the experimental results.

Optical Sidebands Multiplier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strekalov, Dmitry V.; Yu, Nan

2010-01-01

Optical sidebands have been generated with relative frequency tens to hundreds of GHz by using optical sidebands that are generated in a cascade process in high-quality optical resonators with Kerr nonlinearity, such as whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators. For this purpose, the WGM resonator needs to be optically pumped at two frequencies matching its resonances. These two optical components can be one or several free spectral ranges (FSRs), equal to approximately 12 GHz, in this example, apart from each other, and can be easily derived from a monochromatic pump with an ordinary EOM (electro-optic modulation) operating at half the FSR frequency. With sufficient nonlinearity, an optical cascade process will convert the two pump frequencies into a comb-like structure extending many FSRs around the carrier frequency. This has a demonstratively efficient frequency conversion of this type with only a few milliwatt optical pump power. The concept of using Kerr nonlinearity in a resonator for non-degenerate wave mixing has been discussed before, but it was a common belief that this was a weak process requiring very high peak powers to be observable. It was not thought possible for this approach to compete with electro-optical modulators in CW applications, especially those at lower optical powers. By using the high-Q WGM resonators, the effective Kerr nonlinearity can be made so high that, using even weak seeding bands available from a conventional EOM, one can effectively multiply the optical sidebands, extending them into an otherwise inaccessible frequency range.

High efficiency and good beam quality of electro-optic, cavity-dumped and double-end pumped Nd:YLF laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, X. X.; Fan, Z. W.; Qiu, J. S.; Lian, F. Q.; Zhang, X. L.

2012-06-01

In this paper, we describe a Nd:YLF laser based on high-speed RTP electro-optical cavity dumping technique. Two home-made 150 W fiber pump modules are used from both sides to pump Nd:YLF crystal. Coupling systems are the key elements in end-pumped solid-state lasers, the aberrations of which greatly affect the efficiency of the lasers. In order to get high efficient and good quality laser output, the optical software ZEMAX is used to design a four-piece coupling system. When the pumped energy is 32 mJ at the repetition rate of 1 Hz, the output energy is 6.5 mJ with 2.5 ns pulse width. When the pumped energy is 13.1 W at the repetition rate of 200 Hz, the output energy is 2.2 W with small M 2 factor where M {/x 2} is 1.04, and M {/y 2} is 1.05, and the light-light conversion efficiency is up to 16.8%.

Modelling of OPNMR phenomena using photon energy-dependent 〈Sz〉 in GaAs and InP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheeler, Dustin D.; Willmering, Matthew M.; Sesti, Erika L.; Pan, Xingyuan; Saha, Dipta; Stanton, Christopher J.; Hayes, Sophia E.

2016-12-01

We have modified the model for optically-pumped NMR (OPNMR) to incorporate a revised expression for the expectation value of the z-projection of the electron spin, 〈Sz 〉 and apply this model to both bulk GaAs and a new material, InP. This expression includes the photon energy dependence of the electron polarization when optically pumping direct-gap semiconductors in excess of the bandgap energy, Eg . Rather than using a fixed value arising from coefficients (the matrix elements) for the optical transitions at the k = 0 bandedge, we define a new parameter, Sopt (Eph) . Incorporating this revised element into the expression for 〈Sz 〉 , we have simulated the photon energy dependence of the OPNMR signals from bulk semi-insulating GaAs and semi-insulating InP. In earlier work, we matched calculations of electron spin polarization (alone) to features in a plot of OPNMR signal intensity versus photon energy for optical pumping (Ramaswamy et al., 2010). By incorporating an electron spin polarization which varies with pump wavelength into the penetration depth model of OPNMR signal, we are able to model features in both III-V semiconductors. The agreement between the OPNMR data and the corresponding model demonstrates that fluctuations in the OPNMR intensity have particular sensitivity to light hole-to-conduction band transitions in bulk systems. We provide detailed plots of the theoretical predictions for optical pumping transition probabilities with circularly-polarized light for both helicities of light, broken down into illustrative plots of optical magnetoabsorption and spin polarization, shown separately for heavy-hole and light-hole transitions. These plots serve as an effective roadmap of transitions, which are helpful to other researchers investigating optical pumping effects.

Modelling of OPNMR phenomena using photon energy-dependent 〈Sz〉 in GaAs and InP.

PubMed

Wheeler, Dustin D; Willmering, Matthew M; Sesti, Erika L; Pan, Xingyuan; Saha, Dipta; Stanton, Christopher J; Hayes, Sophia E

2016-12-01

We have modified the model for optically-pumped NMR (OPNMR) to incorporate a revised expression for the expectation value of the z-projection of the electron spin, 〈S z 〉 and apply this model to both bulk GaAs and a new material, InP. This expression includes the photon energy dependence of the electron polarization when optically pumping direct-gap semiconductors in excess of the bandgap energy, E g . Rather than using a fixed value arising from coefficients (the matrix elements) for the optical transitions at the k=0 bandedge, we define a new parameter, S opt (E ph ). Incorporating this revised element into the expression for 〈S z 〉, we have simulated the photon energy dependence of the OPNMR signals from bulk semi-insulating GaAs and semi-insulating InP. In earlier work, we matched calculations of electron spin polarization (alone) to features in a plot of OPNMR signal intensity versus photon energy for optical pumping (Ramaswamy et al., 2010). By incorporating an electron spin polarization which varies with pump wavelength into the penetration depth model of OPNMR signal, we are able to model features in both III-V semiconductors. The agreement between the OPNMR data and the corresponding model demonstrates that fluctuations in the OPNMR intensity have particular sensitivity to light hole-to-conduction band transitions in bulk systems. We provide detailed plots of the theoretical predictions for optical pumping transition probabilities with circularly-polarized light for both helicities of light, broken down into illustrative plots of optical magnetoabsorption and spin polarization, shown separately for heavy-hole and light-hole transitions. These plots serve as an effective roadmap of transitions, which are helpful to other researchers investigating optical pumping effects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Demonstration of optical parametric gain generation in the 1 μm regime based on a photonic crystal fiber pumped by a picosecond mode-locked ytterbium-doped fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Yang, Si-Gang; Wang, Xiao-Jian; Gou, Dou-Dou; Chen, Hong-Wei; Chen, Ming-Hua; Xie, Shi-Zhong

2014-01-01

We report the experimental demonstration of the optical parametric gain generation in the 1 μm regime based on a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a zero group velocity dispersion (GVD) wavelength of 1062 nm pumped by a homemade tunable picosecond mode-locked ytterbium-doped fiber laser. A broad parametric gain band is obtained by pumping the PCF in the anomalous GVD regime with a relatively low power. Two separated narrow parametric gain bands are observed by pumping the PCF in the normal GVD regime. The peak of the parametric gain profile can be tuned from 927 to 1038 nm and from 1099 to 1228 nm. This widely tunable parametric gain band can be used for a broad band optical parametric amplifier, large span wavelength conversion or a tunable optical parametric oscillator.

Compensation of nonlinearity in a fiber-optic transmission system using frequency-degenerate phase conjugation through counter-propagating dual pump FWM in a semiconductor optical amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anchal, Abhishek; K, Pradeep Kumar; O'Duill, Sean; Anandarajah, Prince M.; Landais, Pascal

2018-04-01

We present a scheme of frequency-degenerate mid-span spectral inversion (MSSI) for nonlinearity compensation in fiber-optic transmission systems. The spectral inversion is obtained by using counter-propagating dual pump four-wave mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Frequency-degeneracy between signal and conjugate is achieved by keeping two pump frequencies symmetrical about the signal frequency. We simulate the performance of MSSI for nonlinearity compensation by scrutinizing the improvement of the Q-factor of a 200 Gbps QPSK signal transmitted over a standard single mode fiber, as a function of launch power for different span lengths and number of spans. We demonstrate a 7.5 dB improvement in the input power dynamic range and an almost 83% increase in the transmission length for optimum MSSI parameters of -2 dBm pump power and 400 mA SOA current.

High Sensitivity Optically Pumped Quantum Magnetometer

PubMed Central

Tiporlini, Valentina; Alameh, Kamal

2013-01-01

Quantum magnetometers based on optical pumping can achieve sensitivity as high as what SQUID-based devices can attain. In this paper, we discuss the principle of operation and the optimal design of an optically pumped quantum magnetometer. The ultimate intrinsic sensitivity is calculated showing that optimal performance of the magnetometer is attained with an optical pump power of 20 μW and an operation temperature of 48°C. Results show that the ultimate intrinsic sensitivity of the quantum magnetometer that can be achieved is 327 fT/Hz1/2 over a bandwidth of 26 Hz and that this sensitivity drops to 130 pT/Hz1/2 in the presence of environmental noise. The quantum magnetometer is shown to be capable of detecting a sinusoidal magnetic field of amplitude as low as 15 pT oscillating at 25 Hz. PMID:23766716

Compact high-efficiency 100-W-level diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser with linearly polarized TEM00 mode output.

PubMed

Xu, Yi-Ting; Xu, Jia-Lin; Guo, Ya-Ding; Yang, Feng-Tu; Chen, Yan-Zhong; Xu, Jian; Xie, Shi-Yong; Bo, Yong; Peng, Qin-Jun; Cui, Dafu; Xu, Zu-Yan

2010-08-20

We present a compact high-efficiency and high-average-power diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG rod laser oscillator operated with a linearly polarized fundamental mode. The oscillator resonator is based on an L-shaped convex-convex cavity with an improved module and a dual-rod configuration for birefringence compensation. Under a pump power of 344 W, a linearly polarized average output power of 101.4 W at 1064 nm is obtained, which corresponds to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 29.4%. The laser is operated at a repetition rate of 400 Hz with a beam quality factor of M(2)=1.14. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest optical-to-optical efficiency for a side-pumped TEM(00) Nd:YAG rod laser oscillator with a 100-W-level output ever reported.

Characteristics of a Broadband Dye Laser Using Pyrromethene and Rhodamine Dyes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tedder, Sarah A.; Danehy, Paul M.; Wheeler, Jeffrey L.

2011-01-01

A broadband dye laser pumped by a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser with a full-width half-maximum (FWHM) from 592 to 610 nm was created for the use in a dual-pump broadband CARS system called WIDECARS. The desired broadband dye laser was generated with a mixture of Pyrromethene dyes as an oscillator gain medium and a spectral selective optic in the oscillator cavity. A mixture of Rhodamine dyes were used in the amplifier dye cell. To create this laser a study was performed to characterize the spectral behavior of broadband dye lasers created with Rhodamine dyes 590, 610, and 640, Pyrromethene dyes 597 and 650 as well as mixture of these dyes.

Optimising the efficiency of pulsed diode pumped Yb:YAG laser amplifiers for ns pulse generation.

PubMed

Ertel, K; Banerjee, S; Mason, P D; Phillips, P J; Siebold, M; Hernandez-Gomez, C; Collier, J C

2011-12-19

We present a numerical model of a pulsed, diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser amplifier for the generation of high energy ns-pulses. This model is used to explore how optical-to-optical efficiency depends on factors such as pump duration, pump spectrum, pump intensity, doping concentration, and operating temperature. We put special emphasis on finding ways to achieve high efficiency within the practical limitations imposed by real-world laser systems, such as limited pump brightness and limited damage fluence. We show that a particularly advantageous way of improving efficiency within those constraints is operation at cryogenic temperature. Based on the numerical findings we present a concept for a scalable amplifier based on an end-pumped, cryogenic, gas-cooled multi-slab architecture.

Wavelength locking of single emitters and multi-emitter modules: simulation and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanson, Dan; Rappaport, Noam; Peleg, Ophir; Berk, Yuri; Dahan, Nir; Klumel, Genady; Baskin, Ilya; Levy, Moshe

2016-03-01

Wavelength-stabilized high-brightness single emitters are commonly used in fiber-coupled laser diode modules for pumping Yb-doped lasers at 976 nm, and Nd-doped ones at 808 nm. We investigate the spectral behavior of single emitters under wavelength-selective feedback from a volume Bragg (or hologram) grating (VBG) in a multi-emitter module. By integrating a full VBG model as a multi-layer thin film structure with commercial raytracing software, we simulated wavelength locking conditions as a function of beam divergence and angular alignment tolerances. Good correlation between the simulated VBG feedback strength and experimentally measured locking ranges, in both VBG misalignment angle and laser temperature, is demonstrated. The challenges of assembling multi-emitter modules based on beam-stacked optical architectures are specifically addressed, where the wavelength locking conditions must be achieved simultaneously with high fiber coupling efficiency for each emitter in the module. It is shown that angular misorientation between fast and slow-axis collimating optics can have a dramatic effect on the spectral and power performance of the module. We report the development of our NEON-S wavelength-stabilized fiber laser pump module, which uses a VBG to provide wavelength-selective optical feedback in the collimated portion of the beam. Powered by our purpose-developed high-brightness single emitters, the module delivers 47 W output at 11 A from an 0.15 NA fiber and a 0.3 nm linewidth at 976 nm. Preliminary wavelength-locking results at 808 nm are also presented.

Spatially confined low-power optically pumped ultrafast synchrotron x-ray nanodiffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, Joonkyu; Zhang, Qingteng; Chen, Pice

2015-08-27

The combination of ultrafast optical excitation and time-resolved synchrotron x-ray nanodiffraction provides unique insight into the photoinduced dynamics of materials, with the spatial resolution required to probe individual nanostructures or small volumes within heterogeneous materials. Optically excited x-ray nanobeam experiments are challenging because the high total optical power required for experimentally relevant optical fluences leads to mechanical instability due to heating. For a given fluence, tightly focusing the optical excitation reduces the average optical power by more than three orders of magnitude and thus ensures sufficient thermal stability for x-ray nanobeam studies. Delivering optical pulses via a scannable fiber-coupled opticalmore » objective provides a well-defined excitation geometry during rotation and translation of the sample and allows the selective excitation of isolated areas within the sample. Finally, experimental studies of the photoinduced lattice dynamics of a 35 nm BiFeO 3 thin film on a SrTiO 3 substrate demonstrate the potential to excite and probe nanoscale volumes.« less

Improvement of spin-exchange optical pumping of xenon-129 using in situ NMR measurement in ultra-low magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, Shun; Kumagai, Hiroshi

2018-02-01

Hyperpolarized (HP) noble gas has attracted attention in NMR / MRI. In an ultra-low magnetic field, the effectiveness of signal enhancement by HP noble gas should be required because reduction of the signal intensity is serious. One method of generating HP noble gas is spin exchange optical pumping which uses selective excitation of electrons of alkali metal vapor and spin transfer to nuclear spin by collision to noble gas. Although SEOP does not require extreme cooling or strong magnetic field, generally it required large-scale equipment including high power light source to generate HP noble gas with high efficiency. In this study, we construct a simply generation system of HP xenon-129 by SEOP with an ultralow magnetic field (up to 1 mT) and small-scale light source (about 1W). In addition, we measure in situ NMR signal at the same time, and then examine efficient conditions for SEOP in ultra-low magnetic fields.

Development of a sensitive setup for laser spectroscopy studies of very exotic calcium isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia Ruiz, R. F.; Gorges, C.; Bissell, M.; Blaum, K.; Gins, W.; Heylen, H.; Koenig, K.; Kaufmann, S.; Kowalska, M.; Krämer, J.; Lievens, P.; Malbrunot-Ettenauer, S.; Neugart, R.; Neyens, G.; Nörtershäuser, W.; Yordanov, D. T.; Yang, X. F.

2017-04-01

An experimental setup for sensitive high-resolution measurements of hyperfine structure spectra of exotic calcium isotopes has been developed and commissioned at the COLLAPS beam line at ISOLDE, CERN. The technique is based on the radioactive detection of decaying isotopes after optical pumping and state selective neutralization (ROC) (Vermeeren et al 1992 Phys. Rev. Lett. 68 1679). The improvements and developments necessary to extend the applicability of the experimental technique to calcium isotopes produced at rates as low as few ions s-1 are discussed. Numerical calculations of laser-ion interaction and ion-beam simulations were explored to obtain the optimum performance of the experimental setup. Among the implemented features are a multi-step optical pumping region for sensitive measurements of isotopes with hyperfine splitting, a high-voltage platform for adequate control of low-energy ion beams and simultaneous β-detection of neutralized and remaining ions. The commissioning of the experimental setup, and the first online results on neutron-rich calcium isotopes are presented.

High Repetition Rate Pulsed 2-Micron Laser Transmitter for Coherent CO2 DIAL Measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Uprendra N.; Bai, Yingxin; Yu, Jirong; Petros, Mulugeta; Petzar, Paul J.; Trieu, Bo C.; Lee, Hyung

2009-01-01

A high repetition rate, highly efficient, Q-switched 2-micron laser system as the transmitter of a coherent differential absorption lidar for CO2 measurement has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center. Such a laser transmitter is a master-slave laser system. The master laser operates in a single frequency, either on-line or off-line of a selected CO2 absorption line. The slave laser is a Q-switched ring-cavity Ho:YLF laser which is pumped by a Tm:fiber laser. The repetition rate can be adjusted from a few hundred Hz to 10 kHz. The injection seeding success rate is from 99.4% to 99.95%. For 1 kHz operation, the output pulse energy is 5.5mJ with the pulse length of approximately 50 ns. The optical-to-optical efficiency is 39% when the pump power is 14.5W. The measured standard deviation of the laser frequency jitter is about 3 MHz.

A highly integrated single-mode 1064 nm laser with 8.5 kHz linewidth for dual-wavelength active optical clock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Tiantian; Pan, Duo; Chang, Pengyuan; Shang, Haosen; Chen, Jingbiao

2018-04-01

Without exploiting any frequency selective elements, we have realized a highly integrated, single-mode, narrow-linewidth Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser, which is end-pumped by the 808.6 nm diode laser in an integrated invar cavity. It turns out that each 1064 nm laser achieves a most probable linewidth of 8.5 kHz by beating between two identical laser systems. The output power of the 1064 nm laser increases steadily as the 808.6 nm pump power is raised, which can be up to 350 mW. Moreover, the resonant wavelength of cavity grows continuously in a certain crystal temperature range. Such a 1064 nm laser will be frequency stabilized to an ultrastable cavity by using the Pound-Drever-Hall technique and used as the good cavity laser to lock the main cavity length of 1064/1470 nm good-bad cavity dual-wavelength active optical clock.

Apparatus for generating coherent infrared energy of selected wavelength

DOEpatents

Stevens, Charles G.

1985-01-01

A tunable source (11) of coherent infrared energy includes a heat pipe (12) having an intermediate region (24) at which cesium (22) is heated to vaporizing temperature and end regions (27, 28) at which the vapor is condensed and returned to the intermediate region (24) for reheating and recirculation. Optical pumping light (43) is directed along the axis of the heat pipe (12) through a first end window (17) to stimulate emission of coherent infrared energy which is transmitted out through an opposite end window (18). A porous walled tubulation (44) extends along the axis of the heat pipe (12) and defines a region (46) in which cesium vapor is further heated to a temperature sufficient to dissociate cesium dimers which would decrease efficiency by absorbing pump light (43). Efficient generation of any desired infrared wavelength is realized by varying the wavelength of the pump light (43).

Method for optical pumping of thin laser media at high average power

DOEpatents

Zapata, Luis E [Livermore, CA; Beach, Raymond J [Livermore, CA; Honea, Eric C [Sunol, CA; Payne, Stephen A [Castro Valley, CA

2004-07-13

A thin, planar laser material is bonded to a light guide of an index-matched material forming a composite disk. Diode array or other pump light is introduced into the composite disk through the edges of the disk. Pump light trapped within the composite disk depletes as it multi-passes the laser medium before reaching an opposing edge of the disk. The resulting compound optical structure efficiently delivers concentrated pump light and to a laser medium of minimum thickness. The external face of the laser medium is used for cooling. A high performance cooler attached to the external face of the laser medium rejects heat. Laser beam extraction is parallel to the heat flux to minimize optical distortions.

Real-time monitoring implementation in a remote-pumped WDM PON

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liaw, S.-K.; Hong, K.-L.; Shei, Y.-S.

2008-08-01

We report on an improved configuration to monitor a passive optical network with high quality in service. This proposed system comprises fiber-Bragg gratings, a 1 × 4 optical switch, and an optical time-domain reflectometry to diagnose the broken point in real time. It could simultaneously detect multioptical network units in a WDM PON. The remote-pump integrated residual pumping reused function is implemented. Broken points in different optical paths can be detected simultaneously even when the distances to the central office are identical. The bit-error rate testing is verified with a small power penalty, making it an ideal solution for the real-time monitoring in a WDM PON.

Passively mode-locked high power Nd:GdVO4 laser with direct in-band pumping at 912 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadimi, Mohammad; Waritanant, Tanant; Major, Arkady

2018-01-01

We report on the first semiconductor saturable absorber mirror mode-locked Nd:GdVO4 laser directly diode-pumped at 912 nm. The laser generated 10.14 W of averaged output power at 1063 nm with the pulse width of 16 ps at the repetition rate of 85.2 MHz. The optical-to-optical efficiency and slope efficiency in the mode-locked regime were calculated to be 49.6% and 67.4% with respect to the absorbed pump power, respectively. Due to the low quantum defect pumping the output power was limited only by the available pump power.

Continuous-wave and Q-switched microchip laser performance of Yb:Y3Sc2Al3O12 crystals.

PubMed

Dong, Jun; Ueda, Ken-ichi; Kaminskii, Alexander A

2008-04-14

Optical properties of Yb:Y(3)Sc(2)Al(3)O(12) crystal were investigated and compared with those from Yb:YAG crystals. The broad absorption and emission spectra of Yb:Y(3)Sc(2)Al(3)O(12) show that this crystal is very suitable for laser-diode pumping and ultrafast laser pulse generation. Laser-diode pumped continuous-wave and passively Q-switched Yb:Y(3)Sc(2)Al(3)O(12) lasers with Cr(4+):YAG crystals as saturable absorber have been demonstrated for the first time. Continuous-wave output power of 1.12 W around 1032 nm (multi-longitudinal modes) was measured with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 30%. Laser pulses with pulse energy of over 31 microJ and pulse width of 2.5 ns were measured at repetition rate of over 12.7 kHz; a corresponding peak power of over 12 kW was obtained. The longitudinal mode selection by a thin plate of Cr(4+):YAG as an intracavity etalon was also observed in passively Q-switched Yb:Y(3)Sc(2)Al(2)O(12) microchip lasers.

Coherent frequency division with a degenerate synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator.

PubMed

Wan, Chenchen; Li, Peng; Ruehl, Axel; Hartl, Ingmar

2018-03-01

Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are important tools for frequency comb (FC) generation in the mid-IR spectral range, where few suitable laser gain materials exist. For degenerate OPOs, self-phase-locking to the pump FC has been demonstrated. Here, we present a phase noise study of the carrier envelope offset frequency, revealing a -6  dB reduction compared to the pump FC over a wide Fourier frequency range. These results demonstrate that a degenerate OPO can be an ideal coherent frequency divider without any excess noise.

SU-E-T-191: First Principle Calculation of Quantum Yield in Photodynamic Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abolfath, R; Guo, F; Chen, Z

Purpose: We present a first-principle method to calculate the spin transfer efficiency in oxygen induced by any photon fields especially in MeV energy range. The optical pumping is mediated through photosensitizers, e.g., porphyrin and/or ensemble of quantum dots. Methods: Under normal conditions, oxygen molecules are in the relatively non-reactive triplet state. In the presence of certain photosensitizer compounds such as porphyrins, electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelengths can excite oxygen to highly reactive singlet state. With selective uptake of photosensitizers by certain malignant cells, photon irradiation of phosensitized tumors can lead to selective killing of cancer cells. This is the basismore » of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Despite several attempts, PDT has not been clinically successful except in limited superficial cancers. Many parameters such as photon energy, conjugation with quantum dots etc. can be potentially combined with PDT in order to extend the role of PDT in cancer management. The key quantity for this optimization is the spin transfer efficiency in oxygen by any photon field. The first principle calculation model presented here, is an attempt to fill this need. We employ stochastic density matrix description of the quantum jumps and the rate equation methods in quantum optics based on Markov/Poisson processes and calculate time evolution of the population of the optically pumped singlet oxygen. Results: The results demonstrate the feasibility of our model in showing the dependence of the optical yield in generating spin-singlet oxygen on the experimental conditions. The adjustable variables can be tuned to maximize the population of the singlet oxygen hence the efficacy of the photodynamic therapy. Conclusion: The present model can be employed to fit and analyze the experimental data and possibly to assist researchers in optimizing the experimental conditions in photodynamic therapy.« less

Lasing from colloidal InP/ZnS quantum dots.

PubMed

Gao, Shuai; Zhang, Chunfeng; Liu, Yanjun; Su, Huaipeng; Wei, Lai; Huang, Tony; Dellas, Nicholas; Shang, Shuzhen; Mohney, Suzanne E; Wang, Jingkang; Xu, Jian

2011-03-14

High-quality InP/ZnS core-shell nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) were synthesized as a heavy-metal-free alternative to the gain media of cadmium-based colloidal nanoparticles. Upon UV excitation, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and optical gain were observed, for the first time, in close-packed InP/ZnS core-shell NQDs. The ASE wavelength can be selected by tailoring the nanocrystal size over a broad range of the spectrum. Moreover, the optical gain profile of InP/ZnS NQDs was matched to the second order feedback of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal gratings, leading to the very first demonstration of an optically-pumped, nanocrystal laser based on InP/ZnS core-shell NQDs.

CITIUS: An infrared-extreme ultraviolet light source for fundamental and applied ultrafast science

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grazioli, C.; Gauthier, D.; Ivanov, R.

2014-02-15

We present the main features of CITIUS, a new light source for ultrafast science, generating tunable, intense, femtosecond pulses in the spectral range from infrared to extreme ultraviolet (XUV). The XUV pulses (about 10{sup 5}-10{sup 8} photons/pulse in the range 14-80 eV) are produced by laser-induced high-order harmonic generation in gas. This radiation is monochromatized by a time-preserving monochromator, also allowing one to work with high-resolution bandwidth selection. The tunable IR-UV pulses (10{sup 12}-10{sup 15} photons/pulse in the range 0.4-5.6 eV) are generated by an optical parametric amplifier, which is driven by a fraction of the same laser pulse thatmore » generates high order harmonics. The IR-UV and XUV pulses follow different optical paths and are eventually recombined on the sample for pump-probe experiments. We also present the results of two pump-probe experiments: with the first one, we fully characterized the temporal duration of harmonic pulses in the time-preserving configuration; with the second one, we demonstrated the possibility of using CITIUS for selective investigation of the ultra-fast dynamics of different elements in a magnetic compound.« less

Theoretical description of transverse measurements of polarization in optically-pumped Rb vapor cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreiling, Joan; Tupa, Dale; Norrgard, Eric; Gay, Timothy

2012-06-01

In optical pumping of alkali-metal vapors, the polarization of the atoms is typically determined by probing along the entire length of the pumping beam, resulting in an averaged value of polarization over the length of the cell. Such measurements do not give any information about spatial variations of the polarization along the pump beam axis. Using a D1 probe beam oriented perpendicular to the pumping beam, we have demonstrated a heuristic method for determining the polarization along the pump beam's axis. Adapting a previously developed theory [1], we provide an analysis of the experiment which explains why this method works. The model includes the effects of Rb density, buffer gas pressure, and pump detuning. [4pt] [1] E.B. Norrgard, D. Tupa, J.M. Dreiling, and T.J. Gay, Phys. Rev. A 82, 033408 (2010).

Analysis of Dual-Order Backward Pumping Schemes in Distributed Raman Amplification System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Kulwinder; Patterh, Manjeet Singh; Bhamrah, Manjit Singh

2018-04-01

Backward pumping in fiber Raman amplifiers has been investigated in this paper in terms of on-off Raman gain, noise figure and optical signal-to-noise ratio. The results exhibit that with four first-order pumps and one second-order pump scheme can be employed to achieve 8.2 dB noise figure in 64 channel fiber optic communication system. It has also been reported that 2.65 dB gain ripple, 0.87 dB noise figure tilt and 2.02 dB OSNR tilt can be attained with the second-order pumping in fiber Raman amplifiers. The main advantage of the scheme is that only 50 mW second-order pump shows appreciable improvement in the system performance. It shows that further increase in first-order and second-order pump powers increase system noise implications.

Excitonic instability in optically pumped three-dimensional Dirac materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pertsova, Anna; Balatsky, Alexander V.

2018-02-01

Recently it was suggested that transient excitonic instability can be realized in optically pumped two-dimensional (2D) Dirac materials (DMs), such as graphene and topological insulator surface states. Here we discuss the possibility of achieving a transient excitonic condensate in optically pumped three-dimensional (3D) DMs, such as Dirac and Weyl semimetals, described by nonequilibrium chemical potentials for photoexcited electrons and holes. Similar to the equilibrium case with long-range interactions, we find that for pumped 3D DMs with screened Coulomb potential two possible excitonic phases exist, an excitonic insulator phase and the charge density wave phase originating from intranodal and internodal interactions, respectively. In the pumped case, the critical coupling for excitonic instability vanishes; therefore the two phases coexist for arbitrarily weak coupling strengths. The excitonic gap in the charge density wave phase is always the largest one. The competition between screening effects and the increase of the density of states with optical pumping results in a rich phase diagram for the transient excitonic condensate. Based on the static theory of screening, we find that under certain conditions the value of the dimensionless coupling constant screening in 3D DMs can be weaker than in 2D DMs. Furthermore, we identify the signatures of the transient excitonic condensate that could be probed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy, photoemission, and optical conductivity measurements. Finally, we provide estimates of critical temperatures and excitonic gaps for existing and hypothetical 3D DMs.

A continuous-wave, widely tunable, intra-cavity, singly resonant, magnesium-doped, periodically poled lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Z. P.; Duan, Y. M.; Wu, K. R.; Zhang, G.; Zhu, H. Y.; Wang, X. L.; Chen, Y. H.; Xue, Z. Q.; Lin, Q.; Song, G. C.; Su, H.

2013-05-01

We report a continuous-wave (CW), intra-cavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO), based on periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 pumped by a diode-end-pumped CW Nd:YVO4 laser, and calculate the gain of optical parametric amplification as a function of pump beam waist (at 1064 nm) in the singly resonant OPO (SRO) cavity, to balance the mode-matching and the intensity for the higher gain of a signal wave in the operation of the SRO. In order to achieve maximum gain, we use a convex lens to limit the 1064 nm beam waist. In the experiment, a tunable signal output from 1492 to 1614 nm and an idler output from 3122 to 3709 nm are obtained. For an 808 nm pump power of 11.5 W, a maximum signal output power of up to 2.48 W at 1586 nm and an idler output power of 1.1 W at 3232 nm are achieved with a total optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 31%.

Superluminescence from an optically pumped molecular tunneling junction by injection of plasmon induced hot electrons

PubMed Central

Braun, Kai; Wang, Xiao; Kern, Andreas M; Adler, Hilmar; Peisert, Heiko; Chassé, Thomas; Zhang, Dai

2015-01-01

Summary Here, we demonstrate a bias-driven superluminescent point light-source based on an optically pumped molecular junction (gold substrate/self-assembled molecular monolayer/gold tip) of a scanning tunneling microscope, operating at ambient conditions and providing almost three orders of magnitude higher electron-to-photon conversion efficiency than electroluminescence induced by inelastic tunneling without optical pumping. A positive, steadily increasing bias voltage induces a step-like rise of the Stokes shifted optical signal emitted from the junction. This emission is strongly attenuated by reversing the applied bias voltage. At high bias voltage, the emission intensity depends non-linearly on the optical pump power. The enhanced emission can be modelled by rate equations taking into account hole injection from the tip (anode) into the highest occupied orbital of the closest substrate-bound molecule (lower level) and radiative recombination with an electron from above the Fermi level (upper level), hence feeding photons back by stimulated emission resonant with the gap mode. The system reflects many essential features of a superluminescent light emitting diode. PMID:26171286

Experimental demonstration of spatially coherent beam combining using optical parametric amplification.

PubMed

Kurita, Takashi; Sueda, Keiichi; Tsubakimoto, Koji; Miyanaga, Noriaki

2010-07-05

We experimentally demonstrated coherent beam combining using optical parametric amplification with a nonlinear crystal pumped by random-phased multiple-beam array of the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser at 10-Hz repetition rate. In the proof-of-principle experiment, the phase jump between two pump beams was precisely controlled by a motorized actuator. For the demonstration of multiple-beam combining a random phase plate was used to create random-phased beamlets as a pump pulse. Far-field patterns of the pump, the signal, and the idler indicated that the spatially coherent signal beams were obtained on both cases. This approach allows scaling of the intensity of optical parametric chirped pulse amplification up to the exa-watt level while maintaining diffraction-limited beam quality.

Dual-channel operation in a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator for the generation of broadband mid-infrared coherent light sources.

PubMed

Liu, Pei; Wang, Sicong; He, Puyuan; Zhang, Zhaowei

2018-05-01

We report, to the best of our knowledge, a novel approach for generating broadband mid-infrared (mid-IR) light by implementing a dual-channel scheme in a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (SPOPO). Two-channel operation was achieved by inserting a prism pair and two reflection mirrors inside an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) cavity. Pumped by a Yb-fiber laser, the OPO generated an idler wave at ∼3150  nm with a -10  dB bandwidth of ∼13.2  THz, which was twice as much as that of the pump source. This scheme represents a promising technical route to transform conventional SPOPOs into a device capable of generating mid-IR light with very broad instantaneous bandwidth.

Photothermally tunable silicon-microring-based optical add-drop filter through integrated light absorber.

PubMed

Chen, Xi; Shi, Yuechun; Lou, Fei; Chen, Yiting; Yan, Min; Wosinski, Lech; Qiu, Min

2014-10-20

An optically pumped thermo-optic (TO) silicon ring add-drop filter with fast thermal response is experimentally demonstrated. We propose that metal-insulator-metal (MIM) light absorber can be integrated into silicon TO devices, acting as a localized heat source which can be activated remotely by a pump beam. The MIM absorber design introduces less thermal capacity to the device, compared to conventional electrically-driven approaches. Experimentally, the absorber-integrated add-drop filter shows an optical response time of 13.7 μs following the 10%-90% rule (equivalent to a exponential time constant of 5 μs) and a wavelength shift over pump power of 60 pm/mW. The photothermally tunable add-drop filter may provide new perspectives for all-optical routing and switching in integrated Si photonic circuits.

Component-Level Selection and Qualification for the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Laser Altimeter Transmitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frese, Erich A.; Chiragh, Furqan L.; Switzer, Robert; Vasilyev, Aleksey A.; Thomes, Joe; Coyle, D. Barry; Stysley, Paul R.

2018-01-01

Flight quality solid-state lasers require a unique and extensive set of testing and qualification processes, both at the system and component levels to insure the laser's promised performance. As important as the overall laser transmitter design is, the quality and performance of individual subassemblies, optics, and electro-optics dictate the final laser unit's quality. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) laser transmitters employ all the usual components typical for a diode-pumped, solid-state laser, yet must each go through their own individual process of specification, modeling, performance demonstration, inspection, and destructive testing. These qualification processes and results for the laser crystals, laser diode arrays, electro-optics, and optics, will be reviewed as well as the relevant critical issues encountered, prior to their installation in the GEDI flight laser units.

Diode-pumped quasi-three-level CW Nd:CLNGG and Nd:CNGG lasers.

PubMed

He, Kunna; Wei, Zhiyi; Li, Dehua; Zhang, Zhiguo; Zhang, Huaijin; Wang, Jiyang; Gao, Chunqing

2009-10-12

We have demonstrated what is to our knowledge the first quasi-three-level CW Nd:CLNGG laser with simple linear resonator. When the pump power was 18.2 W, a maximum output power of 1.63 W was obtained at the dual-wavelength of 935 nm and 928 nm. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 9.0% and the slope efficiency was 11.5%. Lasing characteristics of a quasi-three-level CW Nd:CNGG laser were also investigated. A maximum output power of 1.87 W was obtained at the single-wavelength of 935 nm with 15.2 W pump power, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 12.3% and a slope efficiency of 15.6%.

A breadboard of optically-pumped atomic-beam frequency standard for space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berthoud, P.; Ruffieux, R.; Affolderbach, C.; Thomann, P.

2004-06-01

Observatoire de Neuchâtel (ON) has recently started breadboarding activities for an Optically-pumped Space Cesium-beam Atomic Resonator in the frame of an ESA-ARTES 5 project. The goal is to demonstrate a frequency stability approaching σy = 1×10-12 τ-1/2 with the simplest optical scheme (a single optical frequency for both the atomic pumping and detection processes). This development constitutes a fundamental step in the general effort to reduce the mass of the on-board clocks, while keeping or even improving its performances. It will take advantage of previous activities at ON in the late '80 and of the latest progresses in the field of tunable and narrow-band laser diodes.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and FUV calibration facility for special sensor ultraviolet limb imager (SSULI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyer, Craig N.; Osterman, Steven N.; Thonnard, Stefan E.; McCoy, Robert P.; Williams, J. Z.; Parker, S. E.

1994-09-01

A facility for calibrating far ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet instruments has recently been completed at the Naval Research Laboratory. Our vacuum calibration vessel is 2-m in length, 1.67-m in diameter, and can accommodate optical test benches up to 1.2-m wide by 1.5-m in length. A kinematically positioned frame with four axis precision pointing capability of 10 microns for linear translation and .01 degrees for rotation is presently used during vacuum optical calibration of SSULI. The chamber was fabricated from 304 stainless steel and polished internally to reduce surface outgassing. A dust-free environment is maintained at the rear of the vacuum chamber by enclosing the 2-m hinged vacuum access door in an 8 ft. by 8 ft. class 100 clean room. Every effort was made to obtain an oil-free environment within the vacuum vessel. Outgassing products are continually monitored with a 1 - 200 amu residual gas analyzer. An oil-free claw and vane pump evacuates the chamber to 10-2 torr through 4 in. diameter stainless steel roughing lines. High vacuum is achieved and maintained with a magnetically levitated 480 l/s turbo pump and a 3000 l/s He4 cryopump. Either of two vacuum monochrometers, a 1-m f/10.4 or a 0.2-m f/4.5 are coaxially aligned with the optical axis of the chamber and are used to select single UV atomic resonance lines from a windowless capillary or penning discharge UV light source. A calibrated channeltron detector is coaxially mounted with the SSULI detector during calibration. All vacuum valves, the cooling system for the cryopump compressor, and the roughing pump are controlled through optical fibers which are interfaced to a computer through a VME board. Optical fibers were chosen to ensure that complete electrical isolation is maintained between the computer and the vacuum system valves-solenoids and relays.

Resonantly cladding-pumped Yb-free Er-doped LMA fiber laser with record high power and efficiency.

PubMed

Zhang, Jun; Fromzel, Viktor; Dubinskii, Mark

2011-03-14

We report the results of our power scaling experiments with resonantly cladding-pumped Er-doped eye-safe large mode area (LMA) fiber laser. While using commercial off-the-shelf LMA fiber we achieved over 88 W of continuous-wave (CW) single transverse mode power at ~1590 nm while pumping at 1532.5 nm. Maximum observed optical-to-optical efficiency was 69%. This result presents, to the best of our knowledge, the highest power reported from resonantly-pumped Yb-free Er-doped LMA fiber laser, as well as the highest efficiency ever reported for any cladding-pumped Er-doped laser, either Yb-co-doped or Yb-free.

Impact of pumping configuration on all-fibered femtosecond chirped pulse amplification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecourt, Jean-Bernard; Duterte, Charles; Bertrand, Anthony; Liégeois, Flavien; Hernandez, Yves; Giannone, Domenico

2008-04-01

We experimentally compared the co- and counter-propagative pumping scheme for the amplification of ultra-short optical pulses. According to pumping direction we show that optical pulses with a duration of 75 fs and 100mW of average output power can be obtained for co-propagative pumping, while pulse duration is never shorter than 400 fs for the counter-propagative case. We show that the impact of non-linear effects on pulse propagation is different for the two pumping configurations. We assume that Self Phase Modulation (SPM) is the main effect in the copropagative case, whereas the impact of Stimulated Raman Scattering is bigger for the counter-propagative case.

Exploding conducting film laser pumping apparatus

DOEpatents

Ware, K.D.; Jones, C.R.

1984-04-27

The 342-nm molecular iodine and the 1.315-..mu..m atomic iodine lasers have been optically pumped by intense light from exploding-metal-film discharges. Brightness temperatures for the exploding-film discharges were approximately 25,000 K. Although lower output energies were achieved for such discharges when compared to exploding-wire techniques, the larger surface area and smaller inductance inherent in the exploding-film should lead to improved efficiency for optically-pumped gas lasers.

Tailored pump compensation for Brillouin optical time-domain analysis with distributed Brillouin amplification.

PubMed

Kim, Young Hoon; Song, Kwang Yong

2017-06-26

A Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) system utilizing tailored compensation for the propagation loss of the pump pulse is demonstrated for long-range and high-resolution distributed sensing. A continuous pump wave for distributed Brillouin amplification (DBA pump) of the pump pulse co-propagates with the probe wave, where gradual variation of the spectral width is additionally introduced to the DBA pump to obtain a uniform Brillouin gain along the position. In the experimental confirmation, a distributed strain measurement along a 51.2 km fiber under test is presented with a spatial resolution of 20 cm, in which the measurement error (σ) of less than 1.45 MHz and the near-constant Brillouin gain of the probe wave are maintained throughout the fiber.

Simulation of optically pumped intersubband laser in magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erić, Marko; Milanović, Vitomir; Ikonić, Zoran; Indjin, Dragan

2007-06-01

Simulations of an optically pumped intersubband laser in magnetic field up to 60 T are performed within the steady-state rate equations model. The electron-polar optical phonon scattering is calculated using the confined and interface phonon model. A strong oscillatory optical gain vs. magnetic field dependence is found, with two dominant gain peaks occurring at 20 and 40 T, the fields which bring appropriate states into resonance with optical phonons and thus open additional relaxation paths. The peak at 20 T exceeds the value of gain achieved at zero field.

Efficient Tm:Fiber Pumped Solid-State Ho:YLF 2-micrometer Laser for Remote Sensing Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.; Bai, Yingxin; Yu, Jirong; Petros, Mulugeta

2012-01-01

An efficient 19 W, TEM(sub 00) mode, Ho:YLF laser pumped by continuous wave Tm:fiber laser has been demonstrated at the room temperature. The slope efficiency and optical-to-optical efficiency are 65% and 55%, respectively.

Gradient-Index Optics

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-31

A Extruder B Melt Pump B Melt Pump A AB Feedblock Layer Multipliers Surface Layer Feedblock Surface Layer Extruder Skin Skin Nanolayers Number of...enough to enable accurate machining. Customarily, optics are held in place using vacuum chucks during the diamond turning process. The force with...which optics can be secured this way is proportional to their surface area. By ensuring that the vacuum force is larger than any forces imparted on

Polarization switch of four-wave mixing in a lawtunable fiber optical parametric oscillator.

PubMed

Yang, Kangwen; Ye, Pengbo; Zheng, Shikai; Jiang, Jieshi; Huang, Kun; Hao, Qiang; Zeng, Heping

2018-02-05

We reported the simultaneous generation and selective manipulation of scalar and cross-phase modulation instabilities in a fiber optical parametric oscillator. Numerical and experimental results show independent control of parametric gain by changing the input pump polarization state. The resonant cavity enables power enhancement of 45 dB for the spontaneous sidebands, generating laser pulses tunable from 783 to 791 nm and 896 to 1005 nm due to the combination of four-wave mixing, cascaded Raman scattering and other nonlinear effects. This gain controlled, wavelength tunable, fiber-based laser source may find applications in the fields of nonlinear biomedical imaging and stimulated Raman spectroscopy.

OPO performance with a long pulse length, single frequency Nd:YAG laser pump. [Optical Parametric Oscillators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kozlovsky, W. J.; Gustafson, E. K.; Eckardt, R. C.; Byer, R. L.

1988-01-01

With the advent of new nonlinear materials and single-frequency pump sources, there is renewed interest in optical parametric oscillators (OPOs). A single-mode diode-laser-pumped monolithic Nd:YAG nonplanar ring laser that is both amplified and frequency doubled is used to pump a monolithic MgO:LiNbO3 pulsed singly resonant OPO. The OPO signal output was temperature tuned from 834 to 958 nm, producing an idler tuning from 1.47 to 1.2 microns. Efforts toward a CW all-solid-state doubly resonant OPO are also described.

Resonantly pumped high efficiency Ho:YAG laser.

PubMed

Shen, Ying-Jie; Yao, Bao-Quan; Duan, Xiao-Ming; Dai, Tong-Yu; Ju, You-Lun; Wang, Yue-Zhu

2012-11-20

High-efficient CW and Q-switched Ho:YAG lasers resonantly dual-end-pumped by two diode-pumped Tm:YLF lasers at 1908 nm were investigated. A maximum slope efficiency of 74.8% in CW operation as well as a maximum output power of 58.7 W at 83.2 W incident pump power was achieved, which corresponded to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 70.6%. The maximum pulse energy of 2.94 mJ was achieved, with a 31 ns FWHM pulse width and a peak power of approximately 94.7 kW.

End-pumped 300 W continuous-wave ytterbium-doped all-fiber laser with master oscillator multi-stage power amplifiers configuration.

PubMed

Yin, Shupeng; Yan, Ping; Gong, Mali

2008-10-27

An end-pumped ytterbium-doped all-fiber laser with 300 W output in continuous regime was reported, which was based on master oscillator multi-stage power amplifiers configuration. Monolithic fiber laser system consisted of an oscillator stage and two amplifier stages. Total optical-optical efficiency of monolithic fiber laser was approximately 65%, corresponding to 462 W of pump power coupled into laser system. We proposed a new method to connect power amplifier stage, which was crucial for the application of end-pumped combiner in high power MOPAs all-fiber laser.

Resonantly pumped single-mode channel waveguide Er:YAG laser with nearly quantum defect limited efficiency.

PubMed

Ter-Gabrielyan, N; Fromzel, V; Mu, X; Meissner, H; Dubinskii, M

2013-07-15

We demonstrated the continuous-wave operation of a resonantly pumped Er:YAG single-mode channel waveguide laser with diffraction-limited output and nearly quantum defect limited efficiency. Using a longitudinally core-pumped, nearly square (61.2 μm×61.6 μm) Er3+:YAG waveguide embedded in an undoped YAG cladding, an output power of 9.1 W with a slope efficiency of 92.8% (versus absorbed pump power) has been obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this optical-to-optical efficiency is the highest ever demonstrated for a channel waveguide laser.

Synchronous optical pumping of quantum revival beats for atomic magnetometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seltzer, S. J.; Meares, P. J.; Romalis, M. V.

2007-05-15

We observe quantum beats with periodic revivals due to nonlinear spacing of Zeeman levels in the ground state of potassium atoms, and demonstrate their synchronous optical pumping by double modulation of the pumping light at the Larmor frequency and the revival frequency. We show that synchronous pumping increases the degree of spin polarization by a factor of 4. As a practical example, we explore the application of this double-modulation technique to atomic magnetometers operating in the geomagnetic field range, and find that it can increase the sensitivity and reduce magnetic-field-orientation-dependent measurement errors endemic to alkali-metal magnetometers.

Modeling of THz Lasers Based on Intersubband Transitions in Semiconductor Quantum Wells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Ansheng; Woo, Alex C. (Technical Monitor)

1999-01-01

In semiconductor quantum well structures, the intersubband energy separation can be adjusted to the terahertz (THz) frequency range by changing the well width and material combinations. The electronic and optical properties of these nanostructures can also be controlled by an applied dc electric field. These unique features lead to a large frequency tunability of the quantum well devices. In the on-going project of modeling of the THz lasers, we investigate the possibility of using optical pumping to generate THz radiation based on intersubband transitions in semiconductor quantum wells. We choose the optical pumping because in the electric current injection it is difficult to realize population inversion in the THz frequency range due to the small intersubband separation (4-40 meV). We considered both small conduction band offset (GaAs/AlGaAs) and large band offset (InGaAs/AlAsSb) quantum well structures. For GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells, mid-infrared C02 lasers are used as pumping sources. For InGaAs/AlAsSb quantum wells, the resonant intersubband transitions can be excited by the near-infrared diode lasers. For three- and four-subband quantum wells, we solve the pumpfield-induced nonequilibrium distribution function for each subband of the quantum well system from a set of rate equations that include both intrasubband and intersubband relaxation processes. Taking into account the coherent interactions between pump and THz (signal) waves, we calculate the optical gain for the THz field. The gain arising from population inversion and stimulated Raman processes is calculated in a unified manner. A graph shows the calculated THz gain spectra for three-subband GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells. We see that the coherent pump and signal wave interactions contribute significantly to the gain. The pump intensity dependence of the THz gain is also studied. The calculated results are shown. Because of the optical Stark effect and pump-induced population redistribution, the maximum THz gain saturates at larger pump intensities.

Slow and fast light via SBS in optical fibers for short pulses and broadband pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalosha, V. P.; Chen, Liang; Bao, Xiaoyi

2006-12-01

Slow-light effect via stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in single-mode optical fibers was considered for short probe pulses of nanosecond duration relevant to Gb/s data streams. Unlike recent estimations of delay versus pump based on steady-state small-signal approximation we have used numerical solution of three-wave equations describing SBS for a realistic fiber length. Both regimes of small signal and pump depletion (gain saturation) were considered. The physical origin of Stokes pulse distortion is revealed which is related to excitation of long-living acoustic field behind the pulse and prevents effective delay control by pump power increase at cw pumping. We have shown different slope of the gain-dependent delay for different pulse durations. Spectrally broadened pumping by multiple cw components, frequency-modulated pump and pulse train were studied for short pulses which allow to obtain large delay and suppress pulse distortion. In the pump-depletion regime of pumping by pulse train, both pulse delay and distortion decrease with increasing pump, and the pulse achieves advancement.

Ultrafast frequency-selective optical switching based on thin self-assembled organic chromophoric films with a large second-order nonlinear response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Gang; Zhu, Peiwang; Marks, Tobin J.; Ketterson, J. B.

2002-09-01

Thin films consisting of self-assembled chromophoric superlattices exhibit very large second-order nonlinear responses [chi](2). Using such films, a "static" diffraction grating is created by the interference of two coherent infrared beams from a pulsed yttritium-aluminum-garnet laser. This grating is used to switch the second-harmonic and third-harmonic "signal" beams (generated from the fundamental "pump" beam or mixed within the chromophoric superlattice) into different channels (directions). Ultrafast switching response as a function of the time overlap of the pumping beams is demonstrated. It is suggested that such devices can be used to spatially and temporally separate signal trains consisting of pulses having different frequencies and arrival times.

Single-resonance optical pumping spectroscopy and application in dressed-state measurement with atomic vapor cell at room temperature.

PubMed

Liang, Qiangbing; Yang, Baodong; Zhang, Tiancai; Wang, Junmin

2010-06-21

By monitoring the transmission of probe laser beam (also served as coupling laser beam) which is locked to a cycling hyperfine transition of cesium D(2) line, while pumping laser is scanned across cesium D(1) or D(2) lines, the single-resonance optical pumping (SROP) spectra are obtained with atomic vapor cell. The SROP spectra indicate the variation of the zero-velocity atoms population of one hyperfine fold of ground state, which is optically pumped into another hyperfine fold of ground state by pumping laser. With the virtue of Doppler-free linewidth, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), flat background and elimination of crossover resonance lines (CRLs), the SROP spectra with atomic vapor cell around room temperature can be employed to measure dressed-state splitting of ground state, which is normally detected with laser-cooled atomic sample only, even if the dressed-state splitting is much smaller than the Doppler-broaden linewidth at room temperature.

Terahertz dielectric response of photoexcited carriers in Si revealed via single-shot optical-pump and terahertz-probe spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Minami, Yasuo; Horiuchi, Kohei; Masuda, Kaisei

We have demonstrated accurate observations of terahertz (THz) dielectric response due to photoexcited carriers in a Si plate via single-shot optical-pump and THz-probe spectroscopy. In contrast to conventional THz time-domain spectroscopy, this spectroscopic technique allows single-shot detection of the THz response of materials at a given delay time between the pump and THz pulses, thereby sufficiently extending the time interval between the pump pulses. As a result, we can accurately measure the dielectric properties of materials, while avoiding artifacts in the response caused by the accumulation of long-lived photoexcited carriers. Using our single-shot scheme, the transmittance of a Si platemore » was measured in the range of 0.5–2.5 THz with different pump fluences. Based on a Drude model analysis, the optically induced complex dielectric constant, plasma frequency, and damping rate in the THz region were quantitatively evaluated.« less

Frequency comb generation in a continuously pumped optical parametric oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosca, S.; Parisi, M.; Ricciardi, I.; Leo, F.; Hansson, T.; Erkintalo, M.; Maddaloni, P.; De Natale, P.; Wabnitz, S.; De Rosa, M.

2018-02-01

We demonstrate optical frequency comb generation in a continuously pumped optical parametric oscillator, in the parametric region around half of the pump frequency. We also model the dynamics of such quadratic combs using a single time-domain mean-field equation, and obtain simulation results that are in good agreement with experimentally observed spectra. Moreover, we numerically investigate the coherence properties of simulated combs, showing the existence of correlated and phase-locked combs. Our work could pave the way for a new class of frequency comb sources, which may enable straightforward access to new spectral regions and stimulate novel applications of frequency combs.

Controllable optical bistability in a three-mode optomechanical system with atom-cavity-mirror couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bin; Wang, Xiao-Fang; Yan, Jia-Kai; Zhu, Xiao-Fei; Jiang, Cheng

2018-01-01

We theoretically investigate the optical bistable behavior in a three-mode optomechanical system with atom-cavity-mirror couplings. The effects of the cavity-pump detuning and the pump power on the bistable behavior are discussed detailedly, the impacts of the atom-pump detuning and the atom-cavity coupling strength on the bistability of the system are also explored, and the influences of the cavity-resonator coupling strength and the cavity decay rate are also taken into consideration. The numerical results demonstrate that by tuning these parameters the bistable behavior of the system can be freely switched on or off, and the threshold of the pump power for the bistability as well as the bistable region width can also be effectively controlled. These results can find potential applications in optical bistable switch in the quantum information processing.

Properties of optical breakdown in BK7 glass induced by an extended-cavity femtosecond laser oscillator.

PubMed

Do, Binh T; Phillips, Mark C; Miller, Paul A; Kimmel, Mark W; Britsch, Justin; Cho, Seong-Ho

2009-02-16

Using an extended-cavity femtosecond oscillator, we investigated optical breakdown in BK7 glass caused by the accumulated action of many laser pulses. By using a pump-probe experiment and collecting the transmitted pump along with the reflected pump and the broadband light generated by the optical breakdown, we measured the build-up time to optical breakdown as a function of the pulse energy, and we also observed the instability of the plasma due to the effect of defocusing and shielding created by the electron gas. The spectrum of the broadband light emitted by the optical breakdown and the origin of the material modification in BK7 glass was studied. We developed a simple model of electromagnetic wave propagation in plasma that is consistent with the observed behavior of the reflection, absorption, and transmission of the laser light.

Optical Control of Intersubband Absorption in a Multiple Quantum Well-Embedded Semiconductor Microcravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Ansheng; Ning, Cun-Zheng

2000-01-01

Optical intersubband response of a multiple quantum well (MQW)-embedded microcavity driven by a coherent pump field is studied theoretically. The n-type doped MQW structure with three subbands in the conduction band is sandwiched between a semi-infinite medium and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). A strong pump field couples the two upper subbands and a weak field probes the two lower subbands. To describe the optical response of the MQW-embedded microcavity, we adopt a semi-classical nonlocal response theory. Taking into account the pump-probe interaction, we derive the probe-induced current density associated with intersubband transitions from the single-particle density-matrix formalism. By incorporating the current density into the Maxwell equation, we solve the probe local field exactly by means of Green's function technique and the transfer-matrix method. We obtain an exact expression for the probe absorption coefficient of the microcavity. For a GaAs/Al(sub x)Ga(sub 1-x)As MQW structure sandwiched between a GaAs/AlAs DBR and vacuum, we performed numerical calculations of the probe absorption spectra for different parameters such as pump intensity, pump detuning, and cavity length. We find that the probe spectrum is strongly dependent on these parameters. In particular, we find that the combination of the cavity effect and the Autler-Townes effect results in a triplet in the optical spectrum of the MQW system. The optical absorption peak value and its location can be feasibly controlled by varying the pump intensity and detuning.

Observation of Ultrafast Magnon Dynamics in Antiferromagnetic Nickel Oxide by Optical Pump-Probe and Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohmoto, T.; Moriyasu, T.; Wakabayashi, S.; Jinn, H.; Takahara, M.; Kakita, K.

2018-01-01

We have studied the ultrafast magnon dynamics in an antiferromagnetic 3d-transition-metal monoxide, nickel oxide (NiO), using optical pump-probe spectroscopy and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). THz damped magnon oscillations were observed in the Faraday rotation signal and in the transmitted THz electric field via optical pump-probe spectroscopy and THz-TDS, respectively. The magnon signals were observed in both the optical pump-probe spectroscopy and THz-TDS experiments, which shows that both Raman- and infrared-active modes are included in the NiO magnon modes. The magnon relaxation rate observed using THz-TDS was found to be almost constant up to the Néel temperature T N (= 523 K) and to increase abruptly near that temperature. This shows that temperature-independent spin-spin relaxation dominates up to T N . In our experiment, softening of the magnon frequency near T N was clearly observed. This result shows that the optical pump-probe spectroscopy and THz-TDS have high frequency resolution and a high signal to noise ratio in the THz region. We discuss the observed temperature dependence of the magnon frequencies using three different molecular field theories. The experimental results suggest that the biquadratic contribution of the exchange interaction plays an important role in the temperature dependence of the sublattice magnetization and the magnon frequency in cubic antiferromagnetic oxides.

Beam quality improvement by population-dynamic-coupled combined guiding effect in end-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yijie; Gong, Mali; Fu, Xing

2018-05-01

Beam quality improvement with pump power increasing in an end-pumped laser oscillator is experimentally realized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The phenomenon is caused by the population-dynamic-coupled combined guiding effect, a comprehensive theoretical model of which has been well established, in agreement with the experimental results. Based on an 888 nm in-band dual-end-pumped oscillator using four tandem Nd:YVO4 crystals, the output beam quality of M^2= 1.1/1.1 at the pump power of 25 W is degraded to M^2 = 2.5/1.8 at 75 W pumping and then improved to M^2= 1.8/1.3 at 150 W pumping. The near-TEM_{00} mode is obtained with the highest continuous-wave output power of 72.1 W and the optical-to-optical efficiency of 48.1%. This work demonstrates great potential to further scale the output power of end-pumped laser oscillator while keeping good beam quality.

Integrated optical components in thin films of polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarkisov, Sergey; Abdeldayem, Hossin; Venkateswarlu, Putcha; Teague, Zedric

1995-01-01

The results will be reported on the study of integrated optical components based on nonlinear optical polymeric films. Polymers poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyimide (PI) doped with organic laser dyes 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-p dimethylaminostyryl-4H pyran (DCM) and 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 - pentamethyl-2,6 -diethyl-pyrromethene -BF2-complex (Pyrommethene 567, PM-567) were selected as materials for light guiding films. Additionally, UV polymerized polydiacetylene (PDA) on glass substrate was used as a waveguide material. Optical waveguides were fabricated using spin coating of preoxidized silicon wafers (1.5 micrometer silicon oxide layer) with organic dye/polymer solution followed by soft baking. the modes in slab waveguides were studied using prism coupling techniques. Measured values of mode coupling angles in multimode waveguides were used to calculate film thickness and refractive index for different polarizations. Refractive index anisotropy was found in PDA waveguide. The optimal conditions of spin coating for single mode waveguide fabrication were estimated. Propagation losses were measured by collecting the light scattered from the trace of a propagating mode either by scanning photo detector or by CCD camera. Different types of light coupling techniques were used including end-dire coupling, prism and grating coupling. Mechanical printing technique was developed for coupling grating fabrication resulting in gratings with 4% diffraction efficiency. The gratings demonstrated good stability with diffraction efficiency relaxation rate 2.4 dB/hour at a temperature approximately 15-20 C below glass transition point. Dye doped waveguides were transversally pumped with frequency doubled Nd:YAG Q-switched laser producing intensive light emission with apparent 6 kW/sq cm pump threshold and spectrum narrowing near 617 nm peak in the case of DCM doped waveguide. PM-567 doped waveguide pumped with CW Ar(+) laser (514 nm wavelength) far below threshold (0.1 W/sq.cm pump power) demonstrated emission spectrum narrowing near 616 nm peak with 18% power conversion slope efficiency. In this case emission spectrum modification was caused by the enhanced light absorption along the direction of propagating waveguide modes. Changing length, thickness, and other morphlogical waveguide parameters one can modify emission spectrum in predictable direction. The results show that polymeric waveguides, especially based on high temperature polymers such as Pl, can be used to produce a varietiy of active and passive silicon compatible integrated optical components for aerospace applications.

Simultaneous parametric generation and up-conversion of entangled optical images

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Saygin, M. Yu., E-mail: mihasyu@gmail.com; Chirkin, A. S., E-mail: aschirkin@rambler.r

A quantum theory of parametric amplification and frequency conversion of an optical image in coupled nonlinear optical processes that include one parametric amplification process at high-frequency pumping and two up-conversion processes in the same pump field is developed. The field momentum operator that takes into account the diffraction and group velocities of the waves is used to derive the quantum equations related to the spatial dynamics of the images during the interaction. An optical scheme for the amplification and conversion of a close image is considered. The mean photon number density and signal-to-noise ratio are calculated in the fixed-pump-field approximationmore » for images at various frequencies. It has been established that the signal-to-noise ratio decreases with increasing interaction length in the amplified image and increases in the images at the generated frequencies, tending to asymptotic values for all interacting waves. The variance of the difference of the numbers of photons is calculated for various pairs of frequencies. The quantum entanglement of the optical images formed in a high-frequency pump field is shown to be converted to higher frequencies during the generation of sum frequencies. Thus, two pairs of entangled optical images are produced in the process considered.« less

A silica optical fiber doped with yttrium aluminosilicate nanoparticles for supercontinuum generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Tonglei; Liao, Meisong; Xue, Xiaojie; Li, Jiang; Gao, Weiqing; Li, Xia; Chen, Danping; Zheng, Shupei; Pan, Yubai; Suzuki, Takenobu; Ohishi, Yasutake

2016-03-01

We design and fabricate a silica optical fiber doped with yttrium aluminosilicate (YAS, Y2O3-Al2O3-SiO2) nanoparticles in the core. The optical fiber is drawn directly from a silica tube with YAG (Y3Al5O12) ceramics and silica powders (the molar ratio 1:18) in the core at the temperature of ∼1950 °C. The YAS nanoparticles are formed during the optical fiber drawing process. Supercontinuum (SC) generation in the optical fiber is investigated at different pump wavelength. At the pump wavelength of ∼1750 nm which is in the deep anomalous dispersion region, SC spectrum evolution is mainly due to multiple solitons and dispersive waves (DWs), and three pairs of multiple optical solitons and DWs are observed. When the pump wavelength shifts to ∼1500 nm which is close to the zero-dispersion wavelength (ZDW), flattened SC spectrum with ±7 dB uniformity is obtained at the wavelength region of ∼990-1980 nm, and only one obvious soliton and DW are observed. At the pump wavelength of ∼1100 nm, a narrow SC spectrum from ∼1020 to 1180 nm is obtained in the normal dispersion region due to self-phase modulation (SPM) effect.

High power continuous-wave titanium:sapphire laser

DOEpatents

Erbert, Gaylen V.; Bass, Isaac L.; Hackel, Richard P.; Jenkins, Sherman L.; Kanz, Vernon K.; Paisner, Jeffrey A.

1993-01-01

A high-power continuous-wave laser resonator (10) is provided, wherein first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth mirrors (11-16) form a double-Z optical cavity. A first Ti:Sapphire rod (17) is disposed between the second and third mirrors (12,13) and at the mid-point of the length of the optical cavity, and a second Ti:Sapphire rod (18) is disposed between the fourth and fifth mirrors (14,15) at a quarter-length point in the optical cavity. Each Ti:Sapphire rod (17,18) is pumped by two counter-propagating pump beams from a pair of argon-ion lasers (21-22, 23-24). For narrow band operation, a 3-plate birefringent filter (36) and an etalon (37) are disposed in the optical cavity so that the spectral output of the laser consists of 5 adjacent cavity modes. For increased power, seventy and eighth mirrors (101, 192) are disposed between the first and second mirrors (11, 12) to form a triple-Z optical cavity. A third Ti:Sapphire rod (103) is disposed between the seventh and eighth mirrors (101, 102) at the other quarter-length point in the optical cavity, and is pumped by two counter-propagating pump beams from a third pair of argon-ion lasers (104, 105).

Highly scalable, resonantly cladding-pumped, Er-doped fiber laser with record efficiency.

PubMed

Dubinskii, M; Zhang, J; Ter-Mikirtychev, V

2009-05-15

We report the performance of a resonantly cladding-pumped, Yb-free, Er-doped fiber laser. We believe this is the first reported resonantly cladding-pumped fiber-Bragg-grating-based, Er-doped, large-mode-area (LMA) fiber laser. The laser, pumped by fiber-coupled InGaAsP/InP laser diode modules at 1,532.5 nm, delivers approximately 48 W of cw output at 1,590 nm. It is believed to be the highest power ever reported from a Yb-free Er-doped LMA fiber. This fully integrated laser also has the optical-to-optical efficiency of approximately 57%, to the best of our knowledge, the highest efficiency reported for cladding-pumped unidirectionally emitting Er-doped laser.

Adaptive IR Sensing Based on Advanced Nanostructures with Tunable Kinetics

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-05

Polaritons in Optically Pumped Graphene”, ISGD: 4th International Symposium on Graphene Devices, A4.05, Seattle, USA, 25 Sept. 2014. (invited) 42. A...Terahertz Gain by Excitation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons in Optically Pumped Graphene”, ISGD: 4th International Symposium on Graphene Devices, A4.05

All-optical switching application based on optical nonlinearity of Yb(3+) doped aluminosilicate glass fiber with a long-period fiber gratings pair.

PubMed

Kim, Yune; Kim, Nam; Chung, Youngjoo; Paek, Un-Chul; Han, Won-Taek

2004-02-23

We propose a new fiber-type all-optical switching device based on the optical nonlinearity of Yb(3+) doped fiber and a long-period fiber gratings(LPG) pair. The all-optical ON-OFF switching with the continuous wave laser signal at ~1556nm in the LPG pair including the 25.5cm long Yb(3+) doped fiber was demonstrated up to ~200Hz upon pumping with the modulated square wave pulses at 976nm, where a full optical switching with the ~18dB extinction ratio was obtained at the launched pump power of ~35mW.

All-optical modulation in Mid-Wavelength Infrared using porous Si membranes

PubMed Central

Park, Sung Jin; Zakar, Ammar; Zerova, Vera L.; Chekulaev, Dimitri; Canham, Leigh T.; Kaplan, Andre

2016-01-01

We demonstrate for the first time the possibility of all-optical modulation of self-standing porous Silicon (pSi) membrane in the Mid-Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) range using femtosecond pump-probe techniques. To study optical modulation, we used pulses of an 800 nm, 60 femtosecond for pump and a MWIR tunable probe in the spectral range between 3.5 and 4.4 μm. We show that pSi possesses a natural transparency window centred around 4 μm. Yet, about 55% of modulation contrast can be achieved by means of optical excitation at the pump power of 60 mW (4.8 mJ/cm2). Our analysis shows that the main mechanism of the modulation is interaction of the MWIR signal with the free charge carrier excited by the pump. The time-resolved measurements showed a sub-picosecond rise time and a recovery time of about 66 ps, which suggests a modulation speed performance of ~15 GHz. This optical modulation of pSi membrane in MWIR can be applied to a variety of applications such as thermal imaging and free space communications. PMID:27440224

Multiple-Path-Length Optical Absorbance Cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

An optical absorbance cell that offers a selection of multiple optical path lengths has been developed as part of a portable spectrometric instrument that measures absorption spectra of small samples of water and that costs less than does a conventional, non-portable laboratory spectrometer. The instrument is intended, more specifically, for use in studying colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in seawater, especially in coastal regions. Accurate characterization of CDOM is necessary for building bio-optical mathematical models of seawater. The multiple path lengths of the absorption cell afford a wide range of sensitivity needed for measuring the optical absorbances associated with the wide range of concentrations of CDOM observed in nature. The instrument operates in the wavelength range of 370 to 725 nm. The major subsystems of the instrument (see figure) include a color-balanced light source; the absorption cell; a peristaltic pump; a high-precision, low-noise fiber optic spectrometer; and a laptop or other personal computer. A fiber-optic cable transmits light from the source to the absorption cell. Other optical fibers transmit light from the absorption cell to the spectrometer,

Fiber-optic anemometer based on single-walled carbon nanotube coated tilted fiber Bragg grating.

PubMed

Zhang, Yang; Wang, Fang; Liu, Zigeng; Duan, Zhihui; Cui, Wenli; Han, Jie; Gu, Yiying; Wu, Zhenlin; Jing, Zhenguo; Sun, Changsen; Peng, Wei

2017-10-02

In this work, a novel and simple optical fiber hot-wire anemometer based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) coated tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is proposed and demonstrated. For the hot-wire wind speed sensor design, TFBG is an ideal in-fiber sensing structure due to its unique features. It is utilized as both light coupling and temperature sensing element without using any geometry-modified or uncommon fiber, which simplifies the sensor structure. To further enhance the thermal conversion capability, SWCNTs are coated on the surface of the TFBG instead of traditional metallic materials, which have excellent thermal characteristics. When a laser light is pumped into the sensor, the pump light propagating in the core will be easily coupled into cladding of the fiber via the TFBG and strongly absorbed by the SWCNTs thin film. This absorption acts like a hot-wire raising the local temperature of the fiber, which is accurately detected by the TFBG resonance shift. In the experiments, the sensor's performances were investigated and controlled by adjusting the inherent angle of the TFBG, the thickness of SWCNTs film, and the input power of the pump laser. It was demonstrated that the developed anemometer exhibited significant light absorption efficiency up to 93%, and the maximum temperature of the local area on the fiber was heated up to 146.1°C under the relatively low pump power of 97.76 mW. The sensitivity of -0.3667 nm/(m/s) at wind speed of 1.0 m/s was measured with the selected 12° TFBG and 1.6 μm film.

Relaxation oscillation suppression in continuous-wave intracavity optical parametric oscillators.

PubMed

Stothard, David J M; Dunn, Malcolm H

2010-01-18

We report a solution to the long standing problem of the occurrence of spontaneous and long-lived bursts of relaxation oscillations which occur when a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator is operated within the cavity of the parent pump-laser. By placing a second nonlinear crystal within the pump-wave cavity for the purpose of second-harmonic-generation of the pump-wave the additional nonlinear loss thereby arising due to up-conversion effectively suppresses the relaxation oscillations with very little reduction in down-converted power.

Arbitrary-detuning asynchronous optical sampling pump-probe spectroscopy of bacterial reaction centers.

PubMed

Antonucci, Laura; Bonvalet, Adeline; Solinas, Xavier; Jones, Michael R; Vos, Marten H; Joffre, Manuel

2013-09-01

A recently reported variant of asynchronous optical sampling compatible with arbitrary unstabilized laser repetition rates is applied to pump-probe spectroscopy. This makes possible the use of a 5.1 MHz chirped pulse oscillator as the pump laser, thus extending the available time window to almost 200 ns with a time resolution as good as about 320 fs. The method is illustrated with the measurement in a single experiment of the complete charge transfer dynamics of the reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Diode pumped passively Q-switched Nd:LuAG laser at 1442.6 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Chen; Liu, Zhaojun; Cong, Zhenhua; Liu, Yang; Xu, Xiaodong; Xu, Jun; Huang, Qingjie; Rao, Han; Chen, Xia; Zhang, Yanmin; Wu, Qianwen; Bai, Fen; Zhang, Sasa

2017-02-01

A diode-end-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:LuAG laser at 1442.6 nm was demonstrated with a V3+:YAG crystal as the saturable absorber. Under continuous-wave (CW) operation, the maximum output power of 1.83 W was obtained with an absorbed pumping power of 11.1 W. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 16.5%. Under Q-switched operation, the maximum average output power of 424 mW was obtained at the same pumping power. The pulse duration and pulse repetition rate were 72 ns and 17.4 kHz, respectively.

OPCPA front end and contrast optimization for the OMEGA EP kilojoule, picosecond laser

DOE PAGES

Dorrer, C.; Consentino, A.; Irwin, D.; ...

2015-09-01

OMEGA EP is a large-scale laser system that combines optical parametric amplification and solid-state laser amplification on two beamlines to deliver high-intensity, high-energy optical pulses. The temporal contrast of the output pulse is limited by the front-end parametric fluorescence and other features that are specific to parametric amplification. The impact of the two-crystal parametric preamplifier, pump-intensity noise, and pump-signal timing is experimentally studied. The implementation of a parametric amplifier pumped by a short pump pulse before stretching, further amplification, and recompression to enhance the temporal contrast of the high-energy short pulse is described.

Single-frequency diode-pumped lasers for free-space optical communication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kane, Thomas J.; Cheng, Emily A. P.; Gerstenberger, David C.; Wallace, Richard W.

1990-01-01

Recent advances in laser technology for intersatellite optical communication systems are reviewed and illustrated with graphs and diagrams. Topics addressed include (1) single-frequency diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers of monolithic ring configuration (yielding 368-384 mW output power with 1-W pumping), (2) injection chaining of up to 10 monolithic resonators to achieve redundancy and/or higher output power, (3) 2-kHz-linewidth 5-mW versions of (1) which are tunable over a 30-MHz range for use as local oscillators in coherent communication, (4) resonant external modulation and doubling or resonant phase modulation of diode-pumped lasers, and (5) wavelength multiplexing.

High-Power Nd:GdVO4 Innoslab Continuous-Wave Laser under Direct 880 nm Pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Bo; Zhang, Heng-Li; Xu, Liu; Mao, Ye-Fei; He, Jing-Liang; Xin, Jian-Guo

2014-11-01

A high-power cw end-pumped laser device is demonstrated with a slab crystal of Nd:GdVO4 operating at 1063 nm. Diode laser stacks at 880 nm are used to pump Nd:GdVO4 into emitting level 4F3/2. The 149 W output power is presented when the absorbed pump power is 390 W and the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 38.2%. When the output power is 120 W, the M2 factors are 2.3 in both directions. Additionally, mode overlap inside the resonator is analyzed to explain the beam quality deterioration.

Highly Efficient Optical Pumping of Spin Defects in Silicon Carbide for Stimulated Microwave Emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, M.; Sperlich, A.; Kraus, H.; Ohshima, T.; Astakhov, G. V.; Dyakonov, V.

2018-05-01

We investigate the pump efficiency of silicon-vacancy-related spins in silicon carbide. For a crystal inserted into a microwave cavity with a resonance frequency of 9.4 GHz, the spin population inversion factor of 75 with the saturation optical pump power of about 350 mW is achieved at room temperature. At cryogenic temperature, the pump efficiency drastically increases, owing to an exceptionally long spin-lattice relaxation time exceeding one minute. Based on the experimental results, we find realistic conditions under which a silicon carbide maser can operate in continuous-wave mode and serve as a quantum microwave amplifier.

Multi-quantum excitation in optically pumped alkali atom: rare gas mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galbally-Kinney, K. L.; Rawlins, W. T.; Davis, S. J.

2014-03-01

Diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) technology offers a means of achieving high-energy gas laser output through optical pumping of the D-lines of Cs, Rb, and K. The exciplex effect, based on weak attractive forces between alkali atoms and polarizable rare gas atoms (Ar, Kr, Xe), provides an alternative approach via broadband excitation of exciplex precursors (XPAL). In XPAL configurations, we have observed multi-quantum excitation within the alkali manifolds which result in infrared emission lines between 1 and 4 μm. The observed excited states include the 42FJ states of both Cs and Rb, which are well above the two-photon energy of the excitation laser in each case. We have observed fluorescence from multi-quantum states for excitation wavelengths throughout the exciplex absorption bands of Cs-Ar, Cs-Kr, and Cs-Xe. The intensity scaling is roughly first-order or less in both pump power and alkali concentration, suggesting a collisional energy pooling excitation mechanism. Collisional up-pumping appears to present a parasitic loss term for optically pumped atomic systems at high intensities, however there may also be excitation of other lasing transitions at infrared wavelengths.

High power tube solid-state laser with zigzag propagation of pump and laser beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savich, Michael

2015-02-01

A novel resonator and pumping design with zigzag propagation of pumping and laser beams permits to design an improved tube Solid State Laser (SSL), solving the problem of short absorption path to produce a high power laser beam (100 - 1000kW). The novel design provides an amplifier module and laser oscillator. The tube-shaped SSL includes a gain element fiber-optically coupled to a pumping source. The fiber optic coupling facilitates light entry at compound Brewster's angle of incidence into the laser gain element and uses internal reflection to follow a "zigzag" path in a generally spiral direction along the length of the tube. Optics are arranged for zigzag propagation of the laser beam, while the cryogenic cooling system is traditional. The novel method of lasing uses advantages of cylindrical geometry to reach the high volume of gain medium with compactness and structural rigidity, attain high pump density and uniformity, and reach a low threshold without excessive increase of the temperature of the crystal. The design minimizes thermal lensing and stress effects, and provides high gain amplification, high power extraction from lasing medium, high pumping and lasing efficiency and a high beam quality.

A blackbody radiation-pumped CO2 laser experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Christiansen, W. H.; Insuik, R. J.; Deyoung, R. J.

1982-01-01

Thermal radiation from a high temperature oven was used as an optical pump to achieve lasing from CO2 mixtures. Laser output as a function of blackbody temperature and gas conditions is described. This achievement represents the first blackbody cavity pumped laser and has potential for solar pumping.

Resonator design and performance estimation for a space-based laser transmitter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrawal, Lalita; Bhardwaj, Atul; Pal, Suranjan; Kamalakar, J. A.

2006-12-01

Development of a laser transmitter for space applications is a highly challenging task. The laser must be rugged, reliable, lightweight, compact and energy efficient. Most of these features are inherently achieved by diode pumping of solid state lasers. Overall system reliability can further be improved by appropriate optical design of the laser resonator besides selection of suitable electro-optical and opto-mechanical components. This paper presents the design details and the theoretically estimated performance of a crossed-porro prism based, folded Z-shaped laser resonator. A symmetrically pumped Nd: YAG laser rod of 3 mm diameter and 60 mm length is placed in the gain arm with total input peak power of 1800 W from laser diode arrays. Electro-optical Q-switching is achieved through a combination of a polarizer, a fractional waveplate and LiNbO 3 Q-switch crystal (9 x 9 x 25 mm) placed in the feedback arm. Polarization coupled output is obtained by optimizing azimuth angle of quarter wave plate placed in the gain arm. Theoretical estimation of laser output energy and pulse width has been carried out by varying input power levels and resonator length to analyse the performance tolerances. The designed system is capable of meeting the objective of generating laser pulses of 10 ns duration and 30 mJ energy @ 10 Hz.

Compact, passively Q-switched, all-solid-state master oscillator-power amplifier-optical parametric oscillator (MOPA-OPO) system pumped by a fiber-coupled diode laser generating high-brightness, tunable, ultraviolet radiation.

PubMed

Peuser, Peter; Platz, Willi; Fix, Andreas; Ehret, Gerhard; Meister, Alexander; Haag, Matthias; Zolichowski, Paul

2009-07-01

We report on a compact, tunable ultraviolet laser system that consists of an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and a longitudinally diode-pumped Nd:YAG master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA). The pump energy for the whole laser system is supplied via a single delivery fiber. Nanosecond pulses are produced by an oscillator that is passively Q-switched by a Cr(4+):YAG crystal. The OPO is pumped by the second harmonic of the Nd:YAG MOPA. Continuously tunable radiation is generated by an intracavity sum-frequency mixing process within the OPO in the range of 245-260 nm with high beam quality. Maximum pulse energies of 1.2 mJ were achieved, which correspond to an optical efficiency of 3.75%, relating to the pulse energy of the MOPA at 1064 nm.

Optical Pumping Spin Exchange 3He Gas Cells for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, W.; Stepanyan, S. S.; Kim, A.; Jung, Y.; Woo, S.; Yurov, M.; Jang, J.

2009-08-01

We present a device for spin-exchange optical pumping system to produce large quantities of polarized noble gases for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A method and design of apparatus for pumping the polarization of noble gases is described. The method and apparatus enable production, storage and usage of hyperpolarized noble gases for different purposes, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging of human and animal subjects. Magnetic imaging agents breathed into lungs can be observed by the radio waves of the MRI scanner and report back physical and functional information about lung's health and desease. The technique known as spin exchange optical pumping is used. Nuclear magnetic resonance is implemented to measure the polarization of hyperpolarized gas. The cells prepared and sealed under high vacuum after handling Alkali metals into the cell and filling with the 3He-N2 mixture. The cells could be refilled. The 3He reaches around 50% polarization in 5-15 hours.

Solar Pumped Laser

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-09-01

1 dB into 50 ohm load, output VSWR less than 1.5. Phase variation relative to the optical pulse train less than +A.5 Rod Temperature...design of the PSQM laser. All phases of design, mechanical, electronic and optical , borrowed heavily from the EFM lamp pumped laser...opnical power input change for the germanium device is twice that for the silicon device, its random phase noise for a typical in- put of 1 mW optical

Hollow Core Optical Fiber Gas Lasers: Toward Novel and Practical Systems in Fused Silica

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-05-18

Hollow core Optically pumped Fiber Gas LASer’s (HOFGLAS’s) based on population inversion combine advantages of fiber lasers such as long interaction...polarization dependent fiber properties. Preliminary experiments were performed toward simultaneous lasing in the visible and near infrared; lasing in...words) Hollow core Optically pumped Fiber Gas LASer’s (HOFGLAS’s) based on population inversion combine advantages of fiber lasers such as long

Broadly tunable picosecond ir source

DOEpatents

Campillo, A.J.; Hyer, R.C.; Shapiro, S.L.

1980-04-23

A picosecond traveling-wave parametric device capable of controlled spectral bandwidth and wavelength in the infrared is reported. Intense 1.064 ..mu..m picosecond pulses (1) pass through a 4.5 cm long LiNbO/sub 3/ optical parametric oscillator crystal (2) set at its degeneracy angle. A broad band emerges, and a simple grating (3) and mirror (4) arrangement is used to inject a selected narrow-band into a 2 cm long LiNbO/sub 3/ optical parametric amplifier crystal (5) along a second pump line. Typical input energies at 1.064 ..mu..m along both pump lines are 6 to 8 mJ for the oscillator and 10 mJ for the amplifier. This yields 1 mJ of tunable output in the range 1.98 to 2.38 ..mu..m which when down-converted in a 1 cm long CdSe crystal mixer (6) gives 2 ..mu..J of tunable radiation over the 14.8 to 18.5 ..mu..m region. The bandwidth and wavelength of both the 2 and 16 ..mu..m radiation output are controlled solely by the diffraction grating.

Broadly tunable picosecond IR source

DOEpatents

Campillo, Anthony J.; Hyer, Ronald C.; Shapiro, Stanley J.

1982-01-01

A picosecond traveling-wave parametric device capable of controlled spectral bandwidth and wavelength in the infrared is reported. Intense 1.064 .mu.m picosecond pulses (1) pass through a 4.5 cm long LiNbO.sub.3 optical parametric oscillator crystal (2) set at its degeneracy angle. A broad band emerges, and a simple grating (3) and mirror (4) arrangement is used to inject a selected narrow-band into a 2 cm long LiNbO.sub.3 optical parametric amplifier crystal (5) along a second pump line. Typical input energies at 1.064 .mu.m along both pump lines are 6-8 mJ for the oscillator and 10 mJ for the amplifier. This yields 1 mJ of tunable output in the range 1.98 to 2.38 .mu.m which when down-converted in a 1 cm long CdSe crystal mixer (6) gives 2 .mu.J of tunable radiation over the 14.8 to 18.5 .mu.m region. The bandwidth and wavelength of both the 2 and 16 .mu.m radiation output are controlled solely by the diffraction grating.

Self-seeding ring optical parametric oscillator

DOEpatents

Smith, Arlee V [Albuquerque, NM; Armstrong, Darrell J [Albuquerque, NM

2005-12-27

An optical parametric oscillator apparatus utilizing self-seeding with an external nanosecond-duration pump source to generate a seed pulse resulting in increased conversion efficiency. An optical parametric oscillator with a ring configuration are combined with a pump that injection seeds the optical parametric oscillator with a nanosecond duration, mJ pulse in the reverse direction as the main pulse. A retroreflecting means outside the cavity injects the seed pulse back into the cavity in the direction of the main pulse to seed the main pulse, resulting in higher conversion efficiency.

rotational Raman spectroscopy methods for probing energy thermalisation processes during spin-exchange optical pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newton, Hayley; Walkup, Laura L.; Whiting, Nicholas; West, Linda; Carriere, James; Havermeyer, Frank; Ho, Lawrence; Morris, Peter; Goodson, Boyd M.; Barlow, Michael J.

2014-05-01

Spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) has been widely used to produce enhancements in nuclear spin polarisation for hyperpolarised noble gases. However, some key fundamental physical processes underlying SEOP remain poorly understood, particularly in regards to how pump laser energy absorbed during SEOP is thermalised, distributed and dissipated. This study uses in situ ultra-low frequency Raman spectroscopy to probe rotational temperatures of nitrogen buffer gas during optical pumping under conditions of high resonant laser flux and binary Xe/N2 gas mixtures. We compare two methods of collecting the Raman scattering signal from the SEOP cell: a conventional orthogonal arrangement combining intrinsic spatial filtering with the utilisation of the internal baffles of the Raman spectrometer, eliminating probe laser light and Rayleigh scattering, versus a new in-line modular design that uses ultra-narrowband notch filters to remove such unwanted contributions. We report a ~23-fold improvement in detection sensitivity using the in-line module, which leads to faster data acquisition and more accurate real-time monitoring of energy transport processes during optical pumping. The utility of this approach is demonstrated via measurements of the local internal gas temperature (which can greatly exceed the externally measured temperature) as a function of incident laser power and position within the cell.

Coherent Excitation of Optical Phonons in GaAs by Broadband Terahertz Pulses

PubMed Central

Fu, Zhengping; Yamaguchi, Masashi

2016-01-01

Coherent excitation and control of lattice motion by electromagnetic radiation in optical frequency range has been reported through variety of indirect interaction mechanisms with phonon modes. However, coherent phonon excitation by direct interaction of electromagnetic radiation and nuclei has not been demonstrated experimentally in terahertz (THz) frequency range mainly due to the lack of THz emitters with broad bandwidth suitable for the purpose. We report the experimental observation of coherent phonon excitation and detection in GaAs using ultrafast THz-pump/optical-probe scheme. From the results of THz pump field dependence, pump/probe polarization dependence, and crystal orientation dependence, we attributed THz wave absorption and linear electro-optic effect to the excitation and detection mechanisms of coherent polar TO phonons. Furthermore, the carrier density dependence of the interaction of coherent phonons and free carriers is reported. PMID:27905563

Demonstration of slow light propagation in an optical fiber under dual pump light with co-propagation and counter-propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Wei; Liu, Jianjun; Wang, Yuda; Yang, Yujing; Gao, Yuan; Lv, Pin; Jiang, Qiuli

2018-04-01

In this paper, a general theory of coherent population oscillation effect in an Er3+ -doped fiber under the dual-frequency pumping laser with counter-propagation and co-propagation at room temperature is presented. Using the numerical simulation, in case of dual frequency light waves (1480 nm and 980 nm) with co-propagation and counter-propagation, we analyze the effect of the pump optical power ratio (M) on the group speed of light. The group velocity of light can be varied with the change of M. We research the time delay and fractional delay in an Er3+-doped fiber under the dual-frequency pumping laser with counter-propagation and co-propagation. Compared to the methods of the single pumping, the larger time delay can be got by using the technique of dual-frequency laser pumped fiber with co-propagation and counter-propagation.

A versatile and reconfigurable setup for all-terahertz time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy.

PubMed

Elezzabi, A Y; Maraghechi, P

2012-05-01

A versatile optical setup for all-terahertz (THz) time resolved pump-probe spectroscopy was designed and tested. By utilizing a dual THz pulse generator emitter module, independent and synchronized THz radiation pump and probe pulses were produced, thus eliminating the need for THz beam splitters and the limitations associated with their implementation. The current THz setup allows for precise control of the electric fields splitting ratio between the THz radiation pump and probe pulses, as well as in-phase, out-of-phase, and polarization dependent pump-probe spectroscopy. Since the present THz pump-probe setup does not require specialized THz radiation optical components, such as phase shifters, polarization rotators, or wide bandwidth beam splitters, it can be easily implemented with minimal alterations to a conventional THz time domain spectroscopy system. The present setup is valuable for studying the time dynamics of THz coherent phenomena in solid-state, chemical, and biological systems.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlamp, Michael C.; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2010-04-13

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Optical and infrared lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Javan, A.

1978-01-01

Quantum mechanical predictions for the gain of an optically pumped CW FIR laser are presented for cases in which one or both of the pump and FIR transitions are pressure or Doppler broadened. The results are compared to those based on the rate equation model. Some of the quantum mechanical predictions are verified in CH3OH.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlamp, Michael C.; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2005-03-08

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlamp, Michael C.; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2015-06-23

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlamp, Michael C; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2014-02-11

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlamp, Michael C.; Alivisatos, Paul A.

2015-11-10

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit tight of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon [Pinole, CA; Schlamp, Michael C [Plainsboro, NJ; Alivisatos, A Paul [Oakland, CA

2011-09-27

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlam, Michael C; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2014-03-25

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit tight of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Electronic displays using optically pumped luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals

DOEpatents

Weiss, Shimon; Schlamp, Michael C.; Alivisatos, A. Paul

2017-06-06

A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit tight of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.

Modeling of visible-extended supercontinuum generation from a tapered Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Rui; Lei, Chengmin; Han, Kai; Chen, Zilun; Pu, Dongsheng; Hou, Jing

2017-05-01

Supercontinuum generation directly from a nonlinear fiber amplifier, especially from a nonlinear ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier, attracts more and more attention due to its all-fiber structure, high optical to optical conversion efficiency, and high power output potential. However, the modeling of supercontinuum generation from a nonlinear fiber amplifier has been rarely reported. In this paper, the modeling of a tapered Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier for visible extended to infrared supercontinuum generation is proposed based on the combination of the laser rate equations and the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier generally can not generate visible extended supercontinuum due to its pumping wavelength and zero-dispersion wavelength. However, appropriate tapering and four-wave mixing makes the visible extended supercontinuum generation from an ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier possible. Tapering makes the zero-dispersion wavelength of the ytterbium-doped fiber shift to the short wavelength and minimizes the dispersion matching. Four-wave mixing plays an important role in the visible spectrum generation. The influence of pulse width and pump power on the supercontinuum generation is calculated and analyzed. The simulation results imply that it is promising and possible to fabricate a visible-to-infrared supercontinuum with low pump power and flat spectrum by using the tapered ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier scheme as long as the related parameters are well-selected.

Dynamics of monochromatically generated nonequilibrium phonons in LaF3:Pr3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolbert, W. A.; Dennis, W. M.; Yen, W. M.

1990-07-01

The temporal evolution of nonequilibrium phonon populations in LaF3:Pr3+ is investigated at low temperatures (1.8 K) utilizing pulsed, tunable, monochromatic generation and time-resolved, tunable, narrow-band detection. High occupation number, narrow-band phonon populations are generated via far-infrared pumping of defect-induced one-phonon absorption. Time-resolved, frequency-selective detection is provided by optical sideband absorption. Nonequilibrium phonon decay times are measured and attributed to anharmonic decay.

High efficiency, linearly polarized, directly diode-pumped Er:YAG laser at 1617  nm.

PubMed

Yu, Zhenzhen; Wang, Mingjian; Hou, Xia; Chen, Weibiao

2014-12-01

An efficient, directly diode-pumped Er:YAG laser at 1617 nm was demonstrated. A folding mirror with high reflectivity for the s-polarized light at the laser wavelength was used to achieve a linearly polarized laser. A maximum continuous-wave output power of 7.73 W was yielded under incident pump power of 50.57 W, and the optical conversion efficiency with respect to incident pump power was ∼15.28%, which was the highest optical conversion efficiency with directly diode-pumped Er:YAG lasers up to now; in Q-switched operation, the maximum pulse energy of 7.82 mJ was generated with pulse duration of about 80 ns at a pulse repetition frequency of 500 Hz.

Transverse pumped laser amplifier architecture

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James; Manes, Kenneth R.; Deri, Robert; Erlandson, Alvin; Caird, John; Spaeth, Mary L.

2015-05-19

An optical gain architecture includes a pump source and a pump aperture. The architecture also includes a gain region including a gain element operable to amplify light at a laser wavelength. The gain region is characterized by a first side intersecting an optical path, a second side opposing the first side, a third side adjacent the first and second sides, and a fourth side opposing the third side. The architecture further includes a dichroic section disposed between the pump aperture and the first side of the gain region. The dichroic section is characterized by low reflectance at a pump wavelength and high reflectance at the laser wavelength. The architecture additionally includes a first cladding section proximate to the third side of the gain region and a second cladding section proximate to the fourth side of the gain region.

Transverse pumped laser amplifier architecture

DOEpatents

Bayramian, Andrew James; Manes, Kenneth; Deri, Robert; Erlandson, Al; Caird, John; Spaeth, Mary

2013-07-09

An optical gain architecture includes a pump source and a pump aperture. The architecture also includes a gain region including a gain element operable to amplify light at a laser wavelength. The gain region is characterized by a first side intersecting an optical path, a second side opposing the first side, a third side adjacent the first and second sides, and a fourth side opposing the third side. The architecture further includes a dichroic section disposed between the pump aperture and the first side of the gain region. The dichroic section is characterized by low reflectance at a pump wavelength and high reflectance at the laser wavelength. The architecture additionally includes a first cladding section proximate to the third side of the gain region and a second cladding section proximate to the fourth side of the gain region.

Generation of Ince-Gaussian beams in highly efficient, nanosecond Cr, Nd:YAG microchip lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, J.; Ma, J.; Ren, Y. Y.; Xu, G. Z.; Kaminskii, A. A.

2013-08-01

Direct generation of higher-order Ince-Gaussian (IG) beams from laser-diode end-pumped Cr, Nd:YAG self-Q-switched microchip lasers was achieved with high efficiency and high repetition rate. An average output power of over 2 W was obtained at an absorbed pump power of 8.2 W a corresponding optical-to-optical efficiency of 25% was achieved. Various IG modes with nanosecond pulse width and peak power of over 2 kW were obtained in laser-diode pumped Cr, Nd:YAG microchip lasers under different pump power levels by applying a tilted, large area pump beam. The effect of the inversion population distribution induced by the tilted pump beam and nonlinear absorption of Cr4+-ions for different pump power levels on the oscillation of higher-order IG modes in Cr, Nd:YAG microchip lasers is addressed. The higher-order IG mode oscillation has a great influence on the laser performance of Cr, Nd:YAG microchip lasers.

Towards Terawatt Sub-Cycle Long-Wave Infrared Pulses via Chirped Optical Parametric Amplification and Indirect Pulse Shaping

PubMed Central

Yin, Yanchun; Chew, Andrew; Ren, Xiaoming; Li, Jie; Wang, Yang; Wu, Yi; Chang, Zenghu

2017-01-01

We present an approach for both efficient generation and amplification of 4–12 μm pulses by tailoring the phase matching of the nonlinear crystal Zinc Germanium Phosphide (ZGP) in a narrowband-pumped optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier (OPCPA) and a broadband-pumped dual-chirped optical parametric amplifier (DC-OPA), respectively. Preliminary experimental results are obtained for generating 1.8–4.2 μm super broadband spectra, which can be used to seed both the signal of the OPCPA and the pump of the DC-OPA. The theoretical pump-to-idler conversion efficiency reaches 27% in the DC-OPA pumped by a chirped broadband Cr2+:ZnSe/ZnS laser, enabling the generation of  Terawatt-level 4–12 μm pulses with an available large-aperture ZGP. Furthermore, the 4–12 μm idler pulses can be compressed to sub-cycle pulses by compensating the tailored positive chirp of the idler pulses using the bulk compressor NaCl, and by indirectly controlling the higher-order idler phase through tuning the signal (2.4–4.0 μm) phase with a commercially available acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter (AOPDF). A similar approach is also described for generating high-energy 4–12 μm sub-cycle pulses via OPCPA pumped by a 2 μm Ho:YLF laser. PMID:28367966

A Q-switched Ho:YAG laser with double anti-misalignment corner cubes pumped by a diode-pumped Tm:YLF laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y. P.; Dai, T. Y.; Wu, J.; Ju, Y. L.; Yao, B. Q.

2018-06-01

We report the acousto-optically Q-switched Ho:YAG laser with double anti-misalignment corner cubes pumped by a diode-pumped Tm:YLF laser. In the continuous-wave operation of Ho:YAG laser, the maximum s-polarized output power of 3.2 W at 2090.3 nm was obtained under the absorbed pump power of 12.9 W by rotating the fast axis of quarter-wave plate to change the output transmission of laser cavity. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 24.8% and the slope efficiency was 55.7%. When one of the corner cubes was rotated to 11.8° around vertical direction or 6.7° around horizontal direction, the laser could still operate stably. For the Q-switched operation, the pulse energy of Ho:YAG laser was 9.9 mJ with a pulse width of 53 ns at the repetition rate of 100 Hz, resulting in a peak power of 186.8 kW. The beam quality factor M2 of Ho:YAG laser was 1.3.

Heater-induced altitude descent of the EISCAT UHF ion line enhancements: Observations and modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashrafi, M.; Kosch, M. J.; Honary, F.

2006-01-01

On 12 November 2001, artificial optical annuli were produced using the EISCAT high-frequency (HF) ionospheric heating facility. This unusual phenomenon was induced using O-mode transmissions at 5.423 MHz with 550 MW effective isotropic radiated power and the pump beam dipped 9° south of the zenith. The pump frequency corresponds to the fourth electron gyroharmonic frequency at 215 km altitude. The EISCAT UHF radar observed a persistent pump-induced enhancement in the ion line backscatter power near the HF reflection altitude. The optical and radar signatures of HF pumping started at ˜230 km and descended to ˜220 km within ˜60 s. This effect has been modelled using the solution to differential equations describing pump-induced electron temperature and density perturbations. The decrease in altitude of the ion line by ˜10 km and changes in electron density have been modelled. The results show that a maximum electron temperature enhancement of up to ˜5700 K can be achieved on average, which is not sufficient to explain the observed optical emissions.

Mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator pumped by an amplified random fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, Yaping; Shen, Meili; Wang, Peng; Li, Xiao; Xu, Xiaojun

2017-01-01

Recently, the concept of random fiber lasers has attracted a great deal of attention for its feature to generate incoherent light without a traditional laser resonator, which is free of mode competition and insure the stationary narrow-band continuous modeless spectrum. In this Letter, we reported the first, to the best of our knowledge, optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by an amplified 1070 nm random fiber laser (RFL), in order to generate stationary mid-infrared (mid-IR) laser. The experiment realized a watt-level laser output in the mid-IR range and operated relatively stable. The use of the RFL seed source allowed us to take advantage of its respective stable time-domain characteristics. The beam profile, spectrum and time-domain properties of the signal light were measured to analyze the process of frequency down-conversion process under this new pumping condition. The results suggested that the near-infrared (near-IR) signal light `inherited' good beam performances from the pump light. Those would be benefit for further develop about optical parametric process based on different pumping circumstances.

Experimental observation of multiple dispersive waves emitted by multiple mid-infrared solitons in a birefringence tellurite microstuctured optical fiber.

PubMed

Cheng, Tonglei; Tuan, Tong Hoang; Xue, Xiaojei; Liu, Lai; Deng, Dinghuan; Suzuki, Takenobu; Ohishi, Yasutake

2015-08-10

We experimentally demonstrate multiple dispersive waves (DWs) emitted by multiple mid-infrared solitons in a birefringence tellurite microstuctured optical fiber (BTMOF). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of multiple DWs in the non-silica fibers. By using a pulse of ~80 MHz and ~200 fs emitted from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) as the pump source, DWs and solitons are investigated on the fast and slow axes of the BTMOF at the pump wavelength of ~1800 nm. With the average pump power increasing from ~200 to 450 mW, the center wavelength of the 1st DW decreases from ~956 to 890 nm, the 2nd DW from ~1039 to 997 nm, the 3rd DW from ~1101 to 1080 nm, and the 4th DW from ~1160 to 1150 nm. Meanwhile, obvious multiple soliton self-frequency shifts (SSFSs) are observed in the mid-infrared region. Furthermore, DWs and solitons at the pump wavelength of ~1400 and 2000 nm are investigated at the average pump power of ~350 mW.

Quantum Theory of Conditional Phonon States in a Dual-Pumped Raman Optical Frequency Comb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mondloch, Erin

In this work, we theoretically and numerically investigate nonclassical phonon states created in the collective vibration of a Raman medium by the generation of a dual-pumped Raman optical frequency comb in an optical cavity. This frequency comb is generated by cascaded Raman scattering driven by two phase-locked pump lasers that are separated in frequency by three times the Raman phonon frequency. We characterize the variety of conditioned phonon states that are created when the number of photons in all optical frequency modes except the pump modes are measured. Almost all of these conditioned phonon states are extremely well approximated as three-phonon-squeezed states or Schrodinger-cat states, depending on the outcomes of the photon number measurements. We show how the combinations of first-, second-, and third-order Raman scattering that correspond to each set of measured photon numbers determine the fidelity of the conditioned phonon state with model three-phonon-squeezed states and Schrodinger-cat states. All of the conditioned phonon states demonstrate preferential growth of the phonon mode along three directions in phase space. That is, there are three preferred phase values that the phonon state takes on as a result of Raman scattering. We show that the combination of Raman processes that produces a given set of measured photon numbers always produces phonons in multiples of three. In the quantum number-state representation, these multiples of three are responsible for the threefold phase-space symmetry seen in the conditioned phonon states. With a semiclassical model, we show how this three-phase preference can also be understood in light of phase correlations that are known to spontaneously arise in single-pumped Raman frequency combs. Additionally, our semiclassical model predicts that the optical modes also grow preferentially along three phases, suggesting that the dual-pumped Raman optical frequency comb is partially phase-stabilized.

High-efficient Nd:YAG microchip laser for optical surface scanning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šulc, Jan; Jelínková, Helena; Nejezchleb, Karel; Škoda, Václav

2017-12-01

A CW operating, compact, high-power, high-efficient diode pumped 1064nm laser, based on Nd:YAG active medium, was developed for optical surface scanning and mapping applications. To enhance the output beam quality, laser stability, and compactness, a microchip configuration was used. In this arrangement the resonator mirrors were deposited directly on to the laser crystal faces. The Nd-doping concentration was 1 at.% Nd/Y. The Nd:YAG crystal was 5mm long. The laser resonator without pumping radiation recuperation was investigated {the output coupler was transparent for pumping radiation. For the generated laser radiation the output coupler reflectivity was 95%@1064 nm. The diameter of the samples was 5 mm. For the laser pumping two arrangements were investigated. Firstly, a fibre coupled laser diode operating at wavelength 808nm was used in CW mode. The 400 ¹m fiber was delivering up to 14W of pump power amplitude to the microchip laser. The maximum CW output power of 7.2W @ 1064nm in close to TEM00 beam was obtained for incident pumping power 13.7W @ 808 nm. The differential efficiency in respect to the incident pump power reached 56 %. Secondly, a single-emitter, 1W laser diode operating at 808nm was used for Nd:YAG microchip pumping. The laser pumping was directly coupled into the microchip laser using free-space lens optics. Slope efficiency up to 70% was obtained in stable, high-quality, 1064nm laser beam with CW power up to 350mW. The system was successfully used for scanning of super-Gaussian laser mirrors reflectivity profile.

Radiance limits of ceramic phosphors under high excitation fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenef, Alan; Kelso, John; Zheng, Yi; Tchoul, Maxim

2013-09-01

Ceramic phosphors, excited by high radiance pump sources, offer considerable potential for high radiance conversion. Interestingly, thermodynamic arguments suggest that the radiance of the luminescent spot can even exceed that of the incoming light source. In practice, however, thermal quenching and (non-thermal) optical saturation limit the maximum attainable radiance of the luminescent source. We present experimental data for Ce:YAG and Ce:GdYAG ceramics in which these limits have been investigated. High excitation fluxes are achieved using laser pumping. Optical pumping intensities exceeding 100W/mm2 have been shown to produce only modest efficiency depreciation at low overall pump powers because of the short Ce3+ lifetime, although additional limitations exist. When pump powers are higher, heat-transfer bottlenecks within the ceramic and heat-sink interfaces limit maximum pump intensities. We find that surface temperatures of these laser-pumped ceramics can reach well over 150°C, causing thermal-quenching losses. We also find that in some cases, the loss of quantum efficiency with increasing temperature can cause a thermal run-away effect, resulting in a rapid loss in converted light, possibly over-heating the sample or surrounding structures. While one can still obtain radiances on the order of many W/mm2/sr, temperature quenching effects ultimately limit converted light radiance. Finally, we use the diffusion-approximation radiation transport models and rate equation models to simulate some of these nonlinear optical pumping and heating effects in high-scattering ceramics.

Highly efficient 400  W near-fundamental-mode green thin-disk laser.

PubMed

Piehler, Stefan; Dietrich, Tom; Rumpel, Martin; Graf, Thomas; Ahmed, Marwan Abdou

2016-01-01

We report on the efficient generation of continuous-wave, high-brightness green laser radiation. Green lasers are particularly interesting for reliable and reproducible deep-penetration welding of copper or for pumping Ti:Sa oscillators. By intracavity second-harmonic generation in a thin-disk laser resonator designed for fundamental-mode operation, an output power of up to 403 W is demonstrated at a wavelength of 515 nm with almost diffraction-limited beam quality. The unprecedented optical efficiency of 40.7% of green output power with respect to the pump power of the thin-disk laser is enabled by the intracavity use of a highly efficient grating waveguide mirror, which combines the functions of wavelength stabilization and spectral narrowing, as well as polarization selection in a single element.

Design investigation of solar-powered lasers for space applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The feasibility of using solar powered continuous wave (CW) lasers for space power transmission was investigated. Competing conceptual designs are considered. Optical pumping is summarized. Solar pumped Lasant type lasers are outlined. Indirect solar pumped lasers are considered.

Electrically-pumped compact hybrid silicon microring lasers for optical interconnects.

PubMed

Liang, Di; Fiorentino, Marco; Okumura, Tadashi; Chang, Hsu-Hao; Spencer, Daryl T; Kuo, Ying-Hao; Fang, Alexander W; Dai, Daoxin; Beausoleil, Raymond G; Bowers, John E

2009-10-26

We demonstrate an electrically-pumped hybrid silicon microring laser fabricated by a self-aligned process. The compact structure (D = 50 microm) and small electrical and optical losses result in lasing threshold as low as 5.4 mA and up to 65 degrees C operation temperature in continuous-wave (cw) mode. The spectrum is single mode with large extinction ratio and small linewidth observed. Application as on-chip optical interconnects is discussed from a system perspective.

Evaluation of the optical switching characteristics of erbium-doped fibres for the development of a fibre Bragg grating sensor interrogator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rigas, Evangelos; Correia, R.; Stathopoulos, N. A.; Savaidis, S. P.; James, S. W.; Bhattacharyya, D.; Kirby, P. B.; Tatam, R. P.

2014-05-01

A polling topology that employs optical switching based on the properties of erbium-doped fibres (EDFs) is used to interrogate an array of FBGs. The properties of the EDF are investigated in its pumped and un-pumped states and the EDFs' switching properties are evaluated by comparing them with a high performance electronically controlled MEM optical switch. Potential advantages of the proposed technique are discussed.

Influence of Fano interference and incoherent processes on optical bistability in a four-level quantum dot nanostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seyyed, Hossein Asadpour; G, Solookinejad; M, Panahi; E Ahmadi, Sangachin

2016-03-01

Role of Fano interference and incoherent pumping field on optical bistability in a four-level designed InGaN/GaN quantum dot nanostructure embedded in a unidirectional ring cavity are analyzed. It is found that intensity threshold of optical bistability can be manipulated by Fano interference. It is shown that incoherent pumping fields make the threshold of optical bistability behave differently by Fano interference. Moreover, in the presence of Fano interference the medium becomes phase-dependent. Therefore, the relative phase of applied fields can affect the behaviors of optical bistability and intensity threshold can be controlled easily.

Performance demonstration of a single-frequency optically-pumped cesium beam frequency standard for space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecomte, S.; Haldimann, M.; Ruffieux, R.; Thomann, P.; Berthoud, P.

2017-11-01

Observatoire de Neuchâtel (ON) is developing a compact optically-pumped cesium beam frequency standard in the frame of an ESA-ARTES 5 project. The simplest optical scheme, which is based on a single optical frequency for both preparation and detection processes of atoms, has been chosen to fulfill reliability constraints of space applications. With our laboratory demonstrator operated at 852 nm (D2 line), we have measured a frequency stability of σy=2.74x10-12 τ -1/2, which is compliant with the Galileo requirement. The atomic resonator is fully compliant to be operated with a single diode laser at 894 nm (D1 line). Sensitivity measurements of the clock signal to the microwave power and to the optical pumping power are also presented. Present performance limitations are discussed and further improvements are proposed in order to reach our ultimate frequency stability goal of σy=1x10-12 τ -1/2. The clock driving software is also briefly described.

Highly efficient continuous-wave Nd:YAG ceramic lasers at 946 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, H. Y.; Xu, C. W.; Zhang, J.; Tang, D. Y.; Luo, D. W.; Duan, Y. M.

2013-07-01

Highly efficient CW operation of diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG ceramic lasers at 946 nm is experimentally demonstrated. When a 5 mm long in-house fabricated Nd:YAG ceramic was used as the gain medium, a maximum output power of 10.5 W was obtained under an incident pump power of 35 W, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 30%, while, when a 3 mm long ceramic sample was used, a maximum output power of 8.7 W was generated with a slope efficiency of 65% with respect to the absorbed pump power. Both the optical conversion efficiency and slope efficiency are the highest results reported so far for the diode-pumped 946 nm lasers.

High-efficiency diode-pumped actively Q-switched ceramic Nd:YAG/BaWO₄ Raman laser operating at 1666 nm.

PubMed

Zhang, H N; Chen, X H; Wang, Q P; Zhang, X Y; Chang, J; Gao, L; Shen, H B; Cong, Z H; Liu, Z J; Tao, X T; Li, P

2014-05-01

A diode-pumped actively Q-switched Raman laser employing BaWO4 as the Raman active medium and a ceramic Nd:YAG laser operating at 1444 nm as the pump source is demonstrated. The first-Stokes-Raman generation at 1666 nm is achieved. With a pump power of 20.3 W and pulse repetition frequency rate of 5 kHz, a maximum output power of 1.21 W is obtained, which is the highest output power for a 1.6 μm Raman laser. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is 6%; the pulse energy and peak power are 242 μJ and 8.96 kW, respectively.

NaK 22Σ+ → 11Σ+ band optically pumped laser near 1.02 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, B. K.; Luh, W. T.; Huennekens, J.

1989-08-01

Optically pumped laser emission has been observed on the NaK 2( A)1Σ+ → 1( X)1Σ+ electronic state transition. The emission occurs between 1.015 and 1.035 μm when a sodium-potassium heat-pipe oven is pumped with 695 745 nm pulsed dye laser radiation. The laser emission occurs on many ro-vibrational transitions without the use of cavity mirrors. However, the addition of a simple cavity increases both the number of observed lasing transitions and the amplitude of the emission on each line. We report our results for the dependence of the emission intensity on pump laser power, oven temperature, and buffer gas pressure.

Transforming Mesoscopic (Bio)materials with Holographic Optical Tweezers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grier, David

2004-03-01

An optical tweezer uses the forces exerted by a strongly focused beam of light to trap and move objects ranging in size from tens of nanometers to tens of micrometers. Since their introduction in 1986, optical tweezers have become a mainstay of research in biology, physical chemistry, and soft condensed matter physics. This talk highlights recent advances made possible by new classes of optical traps created with computer-designed holograms, a technique we call holographic optical trapping. Holographic optical tweezers can trap hundreds of mesoscopic objects simultaneously and move them independently in three dimensions. Arrays of optical traps can be used to continuously sort heterogeneous samples into selected fractions, a process we call optical fractionation. The same holograms can transform optical traps into optical scalpels and scissors that photochemically transform mesoscopic samples with exquisite spatial resolution. They also can impose arbitrary phase profiles onto the trapping beams, thereby creating optical vortices and related optical machines capable of actuating MEMS devices and driving mesoscale pumps and mixers. These new applications for laser light promise to take optical tweezers out of the laboratory and into real-world applications including manufacturing, diagnostics, and even consumer products. The unprecedented access to the mesoscopic world provided by holographic optical tweezers also offers revolutionary new opportunities for fundamental and applied research.

Optical method for the determination of stress in thin films

DOEpatents

Maris, H.J.

1999-01-26

A method and optical system is disclosed for measuring an amount of stress in a film layer disposed over a substrate. The method includes steps of: (A) applying a sequence of optical pump pulses to the film layer, individual ones of said optical pump pulses inducing a propagating strain pulse in the film layer, and for each of the optical pump pulses, applying at least one optical probe pulse, the optical probe pulses being applied with different time delays after the application of the corresponding optical probe pulses; (B) detecting variations in an intensity of a reflection of portions of the optical probe pulses, the variations being due at least in part to the propagation of the strain pulse in the film layer; (C) determining, from the detected intensity variations, a sound velocity in the film layer; and (D) calculating, using the determined sound velocity, the amount of stress in the film layer. In one embodiment of this invention the step of detecting measures a period of an oscillation in the intensity of the reflection of portions of the optical probe pulses, while in another embodiment the step of detecting measures a change in intensity of the reflection of portions of the optical probe pulses and determines a time at which the propagating strain pulse reflects from a boundary of the film layer. 16 figs.

Optical method for the determination of stress in thin films

DOEpatents

Maris, Humphrey J.

1999-01-01

A method and optical system is disclosed for measuring an amount of stress in a film layer disposed over a substrate. The method includes steps of: (A) applying a sequence of optical pump pulses to the film layer, individual ones of said optical pump pulses inducing a propagating strain pulse in the film layer, and for each of the optical pump pulses, applying at least one optical probe pulse, the optical probe pulses being applied with different time delays after the application of the corresponding optical probe pulses; (B) detecting variations in an intensity of a reflection of portions of the optical probe pulses, the variations being due at least in part to the propagation of the strain pulse in the film layer; (C) determining, from the detected intensity variations, a sound velocity in the film layer; and (D) calculating, using the determined sound velocity, the amount of stress in the film layer. In one embodiment of this invention the step of detecting measures a period of an oscillation in the intensity of the reflection of portions of the optical probe pulses, while in another embodiment the step of detecting measures a change in intensity of the reflection of portions of the optical probe pulses and determines a time at which the propagating strain pulse reflects from a boundary of the film layer.

UV diode-pumped solid state laser for medical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apollonov, Victor V.; Konstantinov, K. V.; Sirotkin, A. A.

1999-07-01

A compact, solid-state, high-efficiency, and safe UV laser medical system with optical fiber output was created for treatment of destructive forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. A frequency-quadruped quasi-CW Nd:YVO4 laser system pumped by laser-diode array is investigated with various resonator configurations. A longitudinal end-pumping scheme was used in a compact acousto-optical Q-switched laser for producing stable pulses of UV radiation at the repetition frequency 10-20 kHz and the duration 7-10 ns with the fiber-guide output power exceeding 10 mW.

Performance of a 967 nm CW diode end-pumped Er:GSGG laser at 2.79 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Z. H.; Sun, D. L.; Wang, S. Z.; Luo, J. Q.; Li, X. L.; Huang, L.; Hu, A. L.; Tang, Y. Q.; Guo, Q.

2013-05-01

We demonstrated a 967 nm diode end-pumped Er:GSGG laser operated at 2.794 μm with spectral width 3.6 nm in the continuous wave (CW) mode. A maximum output power of 440 mW is obtained at an incident pumping power of 3.4 W, which corresponds to an optical-to-optical efficiency of 13% and slope efficiency of 13.2%. The results suggest that a short cavity and efficient cooling setup for the crystal help to improve laser performance.

High-power, continuous-wave, tunable mid-IR, higher-order vortex beam optical parametric oscillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aadhi, A.; Sharma, Varun; Samanta, G. K.

2018-05-01

We report on a novel experimental scheme to generate continuous-wave (cw), high power, and higher-order optical vortices tunable across mid-IR wavelength range. Using cw, two-crystal, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (T-SRO) and pumping one of the crystals with Gaussian beam and the other crystal with optical vortices of orders, lp = 1 to 6, we have directly transferred the vortices at near-IR to the mid-IR wavelength range. The idler vortices of orders, li = 1 to 6, are tunable across 2276-3576 nm with a maximum output power of 6.8 W at order of, li = 1, for the pump power of 25 W corresponding to a near-IR vortex to mid-IR vortex conversion efficiency as high as 27.2%. Unlike the SROs generating optical vortices restricted to lower orders due to the elevated operation threshold with pump vortex orders, here, the coherent energy coupling between the resonant signals of the crystals of T-SRO facilitates the transfer of pump vortex of any order to the idler wavelength without stringent operation threshold condition. The generic experimental scheme can be used in any wavelength range across the electromagnetic spectrum and in all time scales from cw to ultrafast regime.

Fast all-optical switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shay, Thomas M. (Inventor); Poliakov, Evgeni Y. (Inventor); Hazzard, David A. (Inventor)

2001-01-01

An apparatus and method wherein polarization rotation in alkali vapors or other mediums is used for all-optical switching and digital logic and where the rate of operation is proportional to the amplitude of the pump field. High rates of speed are accomplished by Rabi flopping of the atomic states using a continuously operating monochromatic atomic beam as the pump.

Optical Pumping of Molecular Gases

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-04-01

ser emission ott a The typical experimental apparatus is shown i.- Fig. *series of green and yellow molecular B-X’-basnd transi- 2. For B-bantd optical...with A, at 0. 473 pim and that Na2 may operate as a flash -lamp -pumped laser X,... at 0. 54 umn the Doppler widths are AwD - 12.42 source with buffer

Elliptical polarization of near-resonant linearly polarized probe light in optically pumped alkali metal vapor

PubMed Central

Li, Yingying; Wang, Zhiguo; Jin, Shilong; Yuan, Jie; Luo, Hui

2017-01-01

Optically pumped alkali metal atoms currently provide a sensitive solution for magnetic microscopic measurements. As the most practicable plan, Faraday rotation of linearly polarized light is extensively used in spin polarization measurements of alkali metal atoms. In some cases, near-resonant Faraday rotation is applied to improve the sensitivity. However, the near-resonant linearly polarized probe light is elliptically polarized after passing through optically pumped alkali metal vapor. The ellipticity of transmitted near-resonant probe light is numerically calculated and experimentally measured. In addition, we also analyze the negative impact of elliptical polarization on Faraday rotation measurements. From our theoretical estimate and experimental results, the elliptical polarization forms an inevitable error in spin polarization measurements. PMID:28216649

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Study of thermooptic distortions of a Nd:YVO4 active element at different methods of its mounting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kijko, V. V.; Ofitserov, Evgenii N.

2006-05-01

Thermooptic distortions of the active element of an axially diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 solid-state laser are studied at different methods of its mounting. The study was performed by the Hartmann method. A mathematical model for calculating the optical power of a thermal lens produced in the crystal upon pumping is developed and verified experimentally. It is shown that the optical power of a thermal lens produced upon axial pumping of the convectively cooled active element sealed off in a copper heat sink is half the optical power observed upon convective cooling of the active element without heat sink. The experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement.

Gain anisotropy and simultaneous bidirectional emission of a Doppler-broadened MIR optically-pumped ammonia ring laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wazen, P.; Bourdet, G. L.

1991-01-01

The authors studied the Doppler-broadened 11.76-micron N-15H3 emission line optically pumped in a ring resonator by a CW CO2 laser operating on the 10R(42) line. Behavior related to the optical pumping of gas Doppler-broadened lines is found and shown to be very dependent on the laser parameters. For instance, the laser emission can occur in one direction or two directions simultaneously. A local gain model based on the interaction of two laser fields with a three-level molecular system is used to clarify the emission characteristics of this laser. Basically, the two-photon or Raman process and the Rabi splitting generate a gain anisotropy and an anomalous dispersion curve. The effects lead to a different optical path for the two directions of propagation and, consequently, a simultaneous bidirectional emission with unequal emission frequency.

Plasma channel optical pumping device and method

DOEpatents

Judd, O.P.

1983-06-28

A device and method are disclosed for optically pumping a gaseous laser using blackbody radiation produced by a plasma channel which is formed from an electrical discharge between two electrodes spaced at opposite longitudinal ends of the laser. A preionization device which can comprise a laser or electron beam accelerator produces a preionization beam which is sufficient to cause an electrical discharge between the electrodes to initiate the plasma channel along the preionization path. The optical pumping energy is supplied by a high voltage power supply rather than by the preionization beam. High output optical intensities are produced by the laser due to the high temperature blackbody radiation produced by the plasma channel, in the same manner as an exploding wire type laser. However, unlike the exploding wire type laser, the disclosed invention can be operated in a repetitive manner by utilizing a repetitive pulsed preionization device. 5 figs.

Potential of solar-simulator-pumped alexandrite lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deyoung, Russell J.

1990-01-01

An attempt was made to pump an alexandrite laser rod using a Tamarak solar simulator and also a tungsten-halogen lamp. A very low optical laser cavity was used to achieve the threshold minimum pumping-power requirement. Lasing was not achieved. The laser threshold optical-power requirement was calculated to be approximately 626 W/sq cm for a gain length of 7.6 cm, whereas the Tamarak simulator produces 1150 W/sq cm over a gain length of 3.3 cm, which is less than the 1442 W/sq cm required to reach laser threshold. The rod was optically pulsed with 200 msec pulses, which allowed the alexandrite rod to operate at near room temperature. The optical intensity-gain-length product to achieve laser threshold should be approximately 35,244 solar constants-cm. In the present setup, this product was 28,111 solar constants-cm.

All-optical simultaneous multichannel quadrature phase shift keying signal regeneration based on phase-sensitive amplification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongxiang; Wang, Qi; Bai, Lin; Ji, Yuefeng

2018-01-01

A scheme is proposed to realize the all-optical phase regeneration of four-channel quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signal based on phase-sensitive amplification. By utilizing conjugate pump and common pump in a highly nonlinear optical fiber, degenerate four-wave mixing process is observed, and QPSK signals are regenerated. The number of waves is reduced to decrease the cross talk caused by undesired nonlinear interaction during the coherent superposition process. In addition, to avoid the effect of overlapping frequency, frequency spans between pumps and signals are set to be nonintegral multiples. Optical signal-to-noise ratio improvement is validated by bit error rate measurements. Compared with single-channel regeneration, multichannel regeneration brings 0.4-dB OSNR penalty when the value of BER is 10-3, which shows the cross talk in regeneration process is negligible.

Luminescent characteristics study of Mather-type dense plasma focus and applications to short-wavelength optical pumping. Final technical report, 1 May 1984-30 September 1985

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, K.K.

A Mather-type dense plasma focus (MDPF) system was designed, built, and tested specifically to study its luminescent characteristics and to assess its potential as a new light source of high-energy, short-wavelength lasers. The luminescence study of MDPF showed that the conversion efficiency from the electrical input to the optical output energies is at least 50%, up to the time the plasma compression is complete. Using the system, for the first time as an optical pump, laser activities were successfully obtained from a variety of liquid organic dyes. Diagnostic capabilities included an optical multichannel analyzer system complete with a computer control,more » a nitrogen-pumped tunable dye-laser system, a high-speed streak/framing camera, a digital laser energy meter, voltage and current probes, and a computer-based data-acquisition system.« less

Single-mode, All-Solid-State Nd:YAG Laser Pumped UV Converter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, Narasimha S.; Armstrong, Darrell, J.; Edwards, William C.; Singh, Upendra N.

2008-01-01

In this paper, the status of a high-energy, all solid-state Nd:YAG laser pumped nonlinear optics based UV converter development is discussed. The high-energy UV transmitter technology is being developed for ozone sensing applications from space based platforms using differential lidar technique. The goal is to generate greater than 200 mJ/pulse with 10-50 Hz PRF at wavelengths of 308 nm and 320 nm. A diode-pumped, all-solid-state and single longitudinal mode Nd:YAG laser designed to provide conductively cooled operation at 1064 nm has been built and tested. Currently, this pump laser provides an output pulse energy of >1 J/pulse at 50 Hz PRF and a pulsewidth of 22 ns with an electrical-to-optical system efficiency of greater than 7% and a M(sup 2) value of <2. The single frequency UV converter arrangement basically consists of an IR Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) and a Sum Frequency Generator (SFG) setups that are pumped by 532 nm wavelength obtained via Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). In this paper, the operation of an inter cavity SFG with CW laser seeding scheme generating 320 nm wavelength is presented. Efforts are underway to improve conversion efficiency of this mJ class UV converter by modifying the spatial beam profile of the pump laser.

Analyses of mode filling factor of a laser end-pumped by a LD with high-order transverse modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Juhong; Wang, You; An, Guofei; Rong, Kepeng; Yu, Hang; Wang, Shunyan; Zhang, Wei; Cai, He; Xue, Liangping; Wang, Hongyuan; Zhou, Jie

2017-05-01

Although the concept of the mode filling factor (also named as "mode-matching efficiency") has been well discussed decades before, the concept of so-called overlap coefficient is often confused by the laser technicians because there are several different formulae for various engineering purposes. Furthermore, the LD-pumped configurations have become the mainstream of solid-state lasers since their compact size, high optical-to-optical efficiency, low heat generation, etc. As the beam quality of LDs are usually very unsatisfactory, it is necessary to investigate how the mode filling factor of a laser system is affected by a high-powered LD pump source. In this paper, theoretical analyses of an end-pumped laser are carried out based on the normalized overlap coefficient formalism. The study provides a convenient tool to describe the intrinsically complex issue of mode interaction corresponding to a laser and an end-pumped source. The mode filling factor has been studied for many cases in which the pump mode and the laser mode have been considered together in the calculation based on analyses of the rate equations. The results should be applied for analyses of any other types of lasers with the similar optical geometry.

Effects of polarization mode dispersion on polarization-entangled photons generated via broadband pumped spontaneous parametric down-conversion

PubMed Central

Lim, Hyang-Tag; Hong, Kang-Hee; Kim, Yoon-Ho

2016-01-01

An inexpensive and compact frequency multi-mode diode laser enables a compact two-photon polarization entanglement source via the continuous wave broadband pumped spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process. Entanglement degradation caused by polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is one of the critical issues in optical fiber-based polarization entanglement distribution. We theoretically and experimentally investigate how the initial entanglement is degraded when the two-photon polarization entangled state undergoes PMD. We report an effect of PMD unique to broadband pumped SPDC, equally applicable to pulsed pumping as well as cw broadband pumping, which is that the amount of the entanglement degradation is asymmetrical to the PMD introduced to each quantum channel. We believe that our results have important applications in long-distance distribution of polarization entanglement via optical fiber channels. PMID:27174100

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Measurements of Translational Temperature and Relative Cycle Number by use of Optically Pumped Trace-Sodium Vapor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobson, Chris C.

1998-01-01

Sodium fluorescence induced by a narrow bandwidth tunable laser has been used to measure temperature, pressure, axial velocity and species concentrations in wind tunnels, rocket engine exhausts and the upper atmosphere. Optical pumping of the ground states of the sodium, however, can radically alter the shape of the laser induced fluorescence excitation spectrum, complicating such measurements. Here a straightforward extension of rate equations originally proposed to account for the features of the pumped spectrum is to make temperature measurements from spectra taken in pumped vapor. Also determined from the spectrum is the relative fluorescence cycle number, which has application to measurement of diffusion rate and transverse flow velocity. The accuracy of both the temperature and cycle-number measurements is comparable with that of temperature measurements made in the absence of pumping.

Structural and optical behavior due to thermal effects in end-pumped Yb:YAG disk lasers.

PubMed

Sazegari, Vahid; Milani, Mohammad Reza Jafari; Jafari, Ahmad Khayat

2010-12-20

We employ a Monte Carlo ray-tracing code along with the ANSYS package to predict the optical and structural behavior in end-pumped CW Yb:YAG disk lasers. The presence of inhomogeneous temperature, stress, and strain distributions is responsible for many deleterious effects for laser action through disk fracture, strain-induced birefringence, and thermal lensing. The thermal lensing, in turn, results in the optical phase distortion in solid-state lasers. Furthermore, the dependence of optical phase distortion on variables such as the heat transfer coefficient, the cooling fluid temperature, and crystal thickness is discussed.

Three-wave interaction solitons in optical parametric amplification.

PubMed

Ibragimov, E; Struthers, A A; Kaup, D J; Khaydarov, J D; Singer, K D

1999-05-01

This paper applies three-wave interaction (TWI)-soliton theory to optical parametric amplification when the signal, idler, and pump wave can all contain TWI solitons. We use an analogy between two different velocity regimes to compare the theory with output from an experimental synchronously pumped optical parametric amplifier. The theory explains the observed inability to compress the intermediate group-velocity wave and 20-fold pulse compression in this experiment. The theory and supporting numerics show that one can effectively control the shape and energy of the optical pulses by shifting the TWI solitons in the pulses.

Femtosecond optical switches by squarylium dye J-aggregates films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Lyong Sun

2003-01-01

Formation of Langmuir and spincoated films containing squarylium dye (SQ) J-aggregates and their femtosecond optical response are described. Pump-probe measurements show that saturable absorption of SQJ-films reveal ultrafast decay with time constants of 100-300 fs. We have applied SQJ-film to new femtosecond time-to-space conversion. A pump (gate) pulse and a train of four probe (signal) pulses were illuminated on the same area of the film in the direction of oblique and normal to the film-plane respectively. Demultiplexing operation for T bps optical signals was demonstrated with femtosecond nonlinear optical response of the SQJ-film.

Electrodeless-discharge-vapor-lamp-based Faraday anomalous-dispersion optical filter.

PubMed

Sun, Qinqing; Zhuang, Wei; Liu, Zhiwen; Chen, Jingbiao

2011-12-01

We report an excited-state Faraday anomalous-dispersion optical filter operating on the rubidium 5P(3/2)-5D(5/2) transition (775.9 nm in vacuum) without the use of a pump laser. An electrodeless discharge vapor lamp is employed to replace the Rb vapor cell in a traditional Faraday anomalous-dispersion optical filter system. Atoms can be excited by power rather than a complex frequency-locked pump laser. A proof-of-concept experimental demonstration with a maximum transmission of 1.9% and a filter bandwidth of 650 MHz is presented. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Phase-sensitive fiber-based parametric all-optical switch.

PubMed

Parra-Cetina, Josué; Kumpera, Aleš; Karlsson, Magnus; Andrekson, Peter A

2015-12-28

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, an all-optical switch in a phase-sensitive fiber optic parametric amplifier operated in saturation. We study the effect of phase variation of the signal and idler waves on the pump power depletion. By changing the phase of a 0.9 mW signal/idler pair wave by π/2 rad, a pump power extinction ratio of 30.4 dB is achieved. Static and dynamic characterizations are also performed and time domain results presented.

Diffractive Combiner of Single-Mode Pump Laser-Diode Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Duncan; Wilson, Daniel; Qiu, Yueming; Forouhar, Siamak

2007-01-01

An optical beam combiner now under development would make it possible to use the outputs of multiple single-mode laser diodes to pump a neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) nonplanar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser while ensuring that the laser operates at only a single desired frequency. Heretofore, an Nd:YAG NPRO like the present one has been pumped by a single multimode laser-diode beam delivered via an optical fiber. It would be desirable to use multiple pump laser diodes to increase reliability beyond that obtainable from a single pump laser diode. However, as explained below, simplistically coupling multiple multimode laser-diode beams through a fiber-optic combiner would entail a significant reduction in coupling efficiency, and lasing would occur at one or more other frequencies in addition to the single desired frequency. Figure 1 schematically illustrates the principle of operation of a laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG NPRO. The laser beam path is confined in a Nd:YAG crystal by means of total internal reflections on the three back facets and a partial-reflection coating on the front facet. The wavelength of the pump beam - 808 nm - is the wavelength most strongly absorbed by the Nd:YAG crystal. The crystal can lase at a wavelength of either 1,064 nm or 1,319 nm - which one depending on the optical coating on the front facet. A thermal lens effect induced by the pump beam enables stable lasing in the lowest-order transverse electromagnetic mode (the TEM00 mode). The frequency of this laser is very stable because of the mechanical stability of the laser crystal and the unidirectional nature of the lasing. The unidirectionality is a result of the combined effects of (1) a Faraday rotation induced by an externally applied magnetic field and (2) polarization associated with non-normal incidence and reflection on the front facet.

Modal method for Second Harmonic Generation in nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Héron, S.; Pardo, F.; Bouchon, P.; Pelouard, J.-L.; Haïdar, R.

2015-05-01

Nanophotonic devices show interesting features for nonlinear response enhancement but numerical tools are mandatory to fully determine their behaviour. To address this need, we present a numerical modal method dedicated to nonlinear optics calculations under the undepleted pump approximation. It is brie y explained in the frame of Second Harmonic Generation for both plane waves and focused beams. The nonlinear behaviour of selected nanostructures is then investigated to show comparison with existing analytical results and study the convergence of the code.

Maui Optical Tracking and Identification Facility Transition Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-08-01

USED) 2 OFFICE 19 LASER SUPPORT ROO 35 SERVICE CELL TECHT LIBARY 20 LASLAL 5 ATA LAB 36 UNDERGROUND WATER RESERVOIR S OFFICE 21 LOBBY 37 PUMP VAULT 8...precision at a rate of 50 samples per second on the system digital recorder along with time, housekeeping and ten selected dc channels which are recorded...with 12-bit precision at a rate of 90 samples per second (45 per mirror state). The digitally recorded ac and dc data can be retrieved post-mission and

Blue, green, orange, and red upconversion laser

DOEpatents

Xie, Ping; Gosnell, Timothy R.

1998-01-01

A laser for outputting visible light at the wavelengths of blue, green, orange and red light. This is accomplished through the doping of a substrate, such as an optical fiber or waveguide, with Pr.sup.3+ ions and Yb.sup.3+ ions. A light pump such as a diode laser is used to excite these ions into energy states which will produce lasing at the desired wavelengths. Tuning elements such as prisms and gratings can be employed to select desired wavelengths for output.

Blue, green, orange, and red upconversion laser

DOEpatents

Xie, P.; Gosnell, T.R.

1998-09-08

A laser is disclosed for outputting visible light at the wavelengths of blue, green, orange and red light. This is accomplished through the doping of a substrate, such as an optical fiber or waveguide, with Pr{sup 3+} ions and Yb{sup 3+} ions. A light pump such as a diode laser is used to excite these ions into energy states which will produce lasing at the desired wavelengths. Tuning elements such as prisms and gratings can be employed to select desired wavelengths for output. 11 figs.

Flexible and scalable wavelength multicast of coherent optical OFDM with tolerance against pump phase-noise using reconfigurable coherent multi-carrier pumping.

PubMed

Lu, Guo-Wei; Bo, Tianwai; Sakamoto, Takahide; Yamamoto, Naokatsu; Chan, Calvin Chun-Kit

2016-10-03

Recently the ever-growing demand for dynamic and high-capacity services in optical networks has resulted in new challenges that require improved network agility and flexibility in order for network resources to become more "consumable" and dynamic, or elastic, in response to requests from higher network layers. Flexible and scalable wavelength conversion or multicast is one of the most important technologies needed for developing agility in the physical layer. This paper will investigate how, using a reconfigurable coherent multi-carrier as a pump, the multicast scalability and the flexibility in wavelength allocation of the converted signals can be effectively improved. Moreover, the coherence in the multiple carriers prevents the phase noise transformation from the local pump to the converted signals, which is imperative for the phase-noise-sensitive multi-level single- or multi-carrier modulated signal. To verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme, we experimentally demonstrate the wavelength multicast of coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) signals using a reconfigurable coherent multi-carrier pump, showing flexibility in wavelength allocation, scalability in multicast, and tolerance against pump phase noise. Less than 0.5 dB and 1.8 dB power penalties at a bit-error rate (BER) of 10^-3 are obtained for the converted CO-OFDM-quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and CO-OFDM-16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) signals, respectively, even when using a distributed feedback laser (DFB) as a pump source. In contrast, with a free-running pumping scheme, the phase noise from DFB pumps severely deteriorates the CO-OFDM signals, resulting in a visible error-floor at a BER of 10^-2 in the converted CO-OFDM-16QAM signals.

Dynamic behavior of pump light radiation induced photo-bleaching effect on BAC-Si in bismuth/erbium co-doped optical fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Mingjie; Luo, Yanhua; Wen, Jianxiang; Peng, Gang-Ding

2018-02-01

Ultra-wide emission in bismuth doped optical fiber has been extremely studied for the development of the laser and amplifier working at near infrared band. In our homemade bismuth/erbium co-doped optical fiber, bismuth active center associated with silica (BAC-Si) has been found that when pumping at its resonant wavelength at 830 nm the NIR emission could be partially bleached. In addition, a self-recovery process has been observed at room temperature. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. In this work, we have investigated the photo-bleaching effect on the BAC-Si via the pump power, pump wavelength and temperature dependence. Based on analyzing the result using stretched exponential function, it shows that the bleaching effect on BAC-Si has a strong link with the excitation process of Bi ion in BAC-Si. A potential energy curve model is used to illustrate the BAC-Si photo-bleaching process.

Measuring gas temperature during spin-exchange optical pumping process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Normand, E.; Jiang, C. Y.; Brown, D. R.; Robertson, L.; Crow, L.; Tong, X.

2016-04-01

The gas temperature inside a Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping (SEOP) laser-pumping polarized 3He cell has long been a mystery. Different experimental methods were employed to measure this temperature but all were based on either modelling or indirect measurement. To date there has not been any direct experimental measurement of this quantity. Here we present the first direct measurement using neutron transmission to accurately determine the number density of 3He, the temperature is obtained using the ideal gas law. Our result showed a surprisingly high gas temperature of 380°C, compared to the 245°C of the 3He cell wall temperature and 178°C of the optical pumping oven temperature. This experiment result may be used to further investigate the unsolved puzzle of the "X-factor" in the SEOP process which places an upper bound to the 3He polarization that can be achieved. Additional spin relaxation mechanisms might exist due to the high gas temperature, which could explain the origin of the X-factor.

Development of a real-time and quantitative thrombus sensor for an extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump by near-infrared light

PubMed Central

Sakota, Daisuke; Fujiwara, Tatsuki; Ohuchi, Katsuhiro; Kuwana, Katsuyuki; Yamazaki, Hiroyuki; Kosaka, Ryo; Nishida, Masahiro; Mizuno, Tomohiro; Arai, Hirokuni; Maruyama, Osamu

2017-01-01

We developed an optical thrombus sensor for a monopivot extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump. In this study, we investigated its quantitative performance for thrombus detection in acute animal experiments of left ventricular assist using the pump on pathogen-free pigs. Optical fibers were set in the driver unit of the pump. The incident light at the near-infrared wavelength of 810 nm was aimed at the pivot bearing, and the resulting scattered light was guided to the optical fibers. The detected signal was analyzed to obtain the thrombus formation level. As a result, real-time and quantitative monitoring of the thrombus surface area on the pivot bearing was achieved with an accuracy of 3.6 ± 2.3 mm2. In addition, the sensing method using the near-infrared light was not influenced by changes in the oxygen saturation and the hematocrit. It is expected that the developed sensor will be useful for optimal anticoagulation management for long-term extracorporeal circulation therapies. PMID:29359096

Development of a real-time and quantitative thrombus sensor for an extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump by near-infrared light.

PubMed

Sakota, Daisuke; Fujiwara, Tatsuki; Ohuchi, Katsuhiro; Kuwana, Katsuyuki; Yamazaki, Hiroyuki; Kosaka, Ryo; Nishida, Masahiro; Mizuno, Tomohiro; Arai, Hirokuni; Maruyama, Osamu

2018-01-01

We developed an optical thrombus sensor for a monopivot extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump. In this study, we investigated its quantitative performance for thrombus detection in acute animal experiments of left ventricular assist using the pump on pathogen-free pigs. Optical fibers were set in the driver unit of the pump. The incident light at the near-infrared wavelength of 810 nm was aimed at the pivot bearing, and the resulting scattered light was guided to the optical fibers. The detected signal was analyzed to obtain the thrombus formation level. As a result, real-time and quantitative monitoring of the thrombus surface area on the pivot bearing was achieved with an accuracy of 3.6 ± 2.3 mm 2 . In addition, the sensing method using the near-infrared light was not influenced by changes in the oxygen saturation and the hematocrit. It is expected that the developed sensor will be useful for optimal anticoagulation management for long-term extracorporeal circulation therapies.

The Role of Morphology and Electronic Chain Aggregation on the Optical Gain Properties of Semiconducting Conjugated Polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lampert, Zachary Evan

Conjugated polymers (CPs) are a novel class of materials that exhibit the optical and electrical properties of semiconductors while still retaining the durability and processability of plastics. CPs are also intrinsically 4-level systems with high luminescence quantum efficiencies making them particularly attractive as organic gain media for solid-state laser applications. However, before CPs can emerge as a commercially available laser technology, a more comprehensive understanding of the morphological dependence of the photophysics is required. In this thesis, the morphology and chain conformation dependence of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and optical gain in thin films of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) was investigated. By changing the chemical nature of the solvent from which films were cast, as well as the temperature at which films were annealed, CP films with different morphologies, and hence different degrees of interchain interactions were achieved. Contrary to the common perception that polymer morphology plays a decisive role in determining the ASE behavior of thin CP films, we found that chromophore aggregation and degree of conformational order have minimal impact on optical gain. In fact, experimental results indicated that an extremely large fraction of interchain aggregate species and/or exciton dissociating defects are required to significantly alter the optical properties and suppress stimulated emission. These results are pertinent to the fabrication and optimization of an electrically pumped laser device, as improvements in charge carrier mobility through controlled increases in chain aggregation may provide a viable means of optimizing injection efficiency without significantly degrading optical gain. To offset charge-induced absorption losses under electrical pumping, and to enable the use of more compact and economical sources under optical pumping, conjugated polymers exhibiting low lasing thresholds and large net gains are highly desirable. In this thesis, we also discuss novel routes we developed for enhancement of ASE performance in MEH-PPV thin film planar waveguides. The first technique relied on improving the distribution of the TE0 guided mode in the CP gain layer through optimization of waveguide architecture. This was achieved by fabricating symmetric heterostructure waveguides formed from a core layer of MEH-PPV sandwiched between an SiO2 buffer and index matched poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cover layer. Relative to asymmetric waveguides of Si(100)/SiO2/MEH-PPV/Air, symmetric waveguides exhibited increased optical confinement and reduced propagation loss enabling lower ASE threshold (40%) and higher net gain (50%). Independent of device architecture and degree of aggregation in the films, we discovered that optical gain is also highly dependent on the excitation conditions, specifically the temporal width of the pump laser pulses. A 400% increase in net gain was achieved under transient (25 picosecond pulses), compared to quasi-steady state (8 nanosecond pulses), excitation conditions. This large difference is attributed to low pumping efficiency and increased non-radiative recombination under ns pumping, which reduces the emission cross-section resulting in a net decrease in gain. The gain values we achieved in the ps regime are to the best of our knowledge the largest gain values reported to date for thin conjugated polymer films measured using the variable stripe length (VSL) technique. Films pumped in the transient regime also required 30 times less pump energy density to reach threshold in comparison with films pumped in the quasi-steady state regime, although the excited state densities were essentially the same. These results demonstrate that the pumping efficiency, and hence generation rate of excited states in a gain medium, can be dramatically increased by using pump laser pulses that are shorter than the exciton luminescence lifetime

Pressure shift in the 170-micron emission of the CW optically pumped CH3OH laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawandy, N. M.; Koepf, G. A.

1980-01-01

Pressure shifts of +15 MHz torr were observed in 16(8)-16(7) 170-micron CW CH3OH optically pumped laser emission. The experiments were performed using a harmonic mixing technique in a Schottky diode. The results are explained in terms of a second-order dipole-dipole interaction in a statistical formulation.

Scaling of an Optically Pumped Mid-Infrared Rubidium Laser

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

v AFIT-ENP-MS-15-M-104 Abstract An optically pumped mid-infrared rubidium (Rb) pulsed laser has been demonstrated in a heat pipe ... Heat Pipe Assembly ........................................................................................12 Figure 3.3. Rb Number Density vs. Heat ...the first experiments that used a heat pipe as the gain cell. This experiment would influence the work of Sharma (Sharma, 1981:210). 9 Krupke

High Efficiency End-Pumped Ho:Tm:YLF Disk Amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Jirong; Singh, Upendra N.; Petros, Mulugeta; Axenson, Theresa J.; Barnes, Norman P.

1999-01-01

Space based coherent lidar for global wind measurement requires an all solid state laser system with high energy, high efficiency and narrow linewidth that operates in the eye safe region. A Q-switched, diode pumped Ho:Tm:YLF 2 micrometer laser with output energy of as much as 125 mJ at 6 Hz with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 3% has been reported. Single frequency operation of the laser was achieved by injection seeding. The design of this laser is being incorporated into NASA's SPARCLE (SPAce Readiness Coherent Lidar Experiment) wind lidar mission. Laser output energy ranging from 500 mJ to 2 J is required for an operational space coherent lidar. We previously developed a high energy Ho:Tm:YLF master oscillator and side pumped power amplifier system and demonstrated a 600-mJ single frequency pulse at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. Although the output energy is high, the optical-to-optical efficiency is only about 2%. Designing a high energy, highly efficient, conductively cooled 2-micrometer laser remains a challenge. In this paper, the preliminary result of an end-pumped amplifier that has a potential to provide a factor 3 of improvement in the system efficiency is reported.

Optically (solar) pumped oxygen-iodine lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danilov, O. B.; Zhevlakov, A. P.; Yur'ev, M. S.

2014-07-01

We present the results of theoretical and experimental studies demonstrating the possibility of developing an oxygen-iodine laser (OIL) with direct optical pumping of molecular oxygen involving inter-molecular interaction with charge transfer from donor molecule (buffer gas) to acceptor molecule (oxygen). This interaction lifts degeneracy of the lower energy states of molecular oxygen and increases its absorption cross section in the visible spectral region and the UV Herzberg band, where high quantum yield of singlet oxygen is achieved (QY ˜ 1 and QY ˜ 2, respectively) at the same time. A pulse-periodic optical pump sources with pulse energy of ˜50 kJ, pulse duration of ˜25 μs, and repetition rate of ˜10 Hz, which are synchronized with the mechanism of singlet oxygen generation, are developed. This allows implementation of a pulse-periodic oxygen-iodine laser with an efficiency of ˜25%, optical efficiency of ˜40%, and parameter L/ T ˜ 1/1.5, where T is the thermal energy released in the laser active medium upon generation of energy L. It is demonstrated that, under direct solar pumping of molecular oxygen, the efficiency parameter of the OIL can reach L/ T ˜ 1/0.8 in a wide range of scaling factors.

How reduced vacuum pumping capability in a coating chamber affects the laser damage resistance of HfO 2/SiO 2 antireflection and high reflection coatings.

DOE PAGES

Field, Ella Suzanne; Bellum, John Curtis; Kletecka, Damon E.

2016-06-01

Optical coatings with the highest laser damage thresholds rely on clean conditions in the vacuum chamber during the coating deposition process. A low base pressure in the coating chamber, as well as the ability of the vacuum system to maintain the required pressure during deposition, are important aspects of limiting the amount of defects in an optical coating that could induce laser damage. Our large optics coating chamber at Sandia National Laboratories normally relies on three cryo pumps to maintain low pressures for e-beam coating processes. However, on occasion, one or more of the cryo pumps have been out ofmore » commission. In light of this circumstance, we explored how deposition under compromised vacuum conditions resulting from the use of only one or two cryo pumps affects the laser-induced damage thresholds of optical coatings. Finally, the coatings of this study consist of HfO 2 and SiO 2 layer materials and include antireflection coatings for 527 nm at normal incidence, and high reflection coatings for 527 nm, 45⁰ angle of incidence (AOI), in P-polarization (P-pol).« less

How reduced vacuum pumping capability in a coating chamber affects the laser damage resistance of HfO 2/SiO 2 antireflection and high-reflection coatings

DOE PAGES

Field, Ella S.; Bellum, John C.; Kletecka, Damon E.

2016-07-15

Here, optical coatings with the highest laser damage thresholds rely on clean conditions in the vacuum chamber during the coating deposition process. A low-base pressure in the coating chamber, as well as the ability of the vacuum system to maintain the required pressure during deposition, are important aspects of limiting the amount of defects in an optical coating that could induce laser damage. Our large optics coating chamber at Sandia National Laboratories normally relies on three cryo pumps to maintain low pressures for e-beam coating processes. However, on occasion, one or more of the cryo pumps have been out ofmore » commission. In light of this circumstance, we explored how deposition under compromised vacuum conditions resulting from the use of only one or two cryo pumps affects the laser-induced damage thresholds of optical coatings. The coatings of this study consist of HfO 2 and SiO 2 layer materials and include antireflection coatings for 527 nm at normal incidence and high-reflection coatings for 527 nm at 45-deg angle of incidence in P-polarization.« less

Intraband Raman laser gain in a boron nitride coupled quantum well

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moorthy, N. Narayana; Peter, A. John, E-mail: a.john.peter@gmail.com

2016-05-23

On-centre impurity related electronic and optical properties are studied in a Boron nitride coupled quantum well. Confined energies for the intraband transition are investigated by studying differential cross section of electron Raman scattering taking into consideration of spatial confinement in a B{sub 0.3}Ga{sub 0.7}N/BN coupled quantum well. Raman gain as a function of incident optical pump intensity is computed for constant well width. The enhancement of Raman gain is observed with the application of pump power. The results can be applied for the potential applications for fabricating some optical devices such as optical switches, infrared photo-detectors and electro-optical modulator.

Single-frequency oscillation of thin-disk lasers due to phase-matched pumping.

PubMed

Vorholt, Christian; Wittrock, Ulrich

2017-09-04

We present a novel pump concept that should lead to single-frequency operation of thin-disk lasers without the need for etalons or other spectral filters. The single-frequency operation is due to matching the standing wave pattern of partially coherent pump light to the standing wave pattern of the laser light inside the disk. The output power and the optical efficiency of our novel pump concept are compared with conventional pumping. The feasibility of our pump concept was shown in previous experiments.

Pump-probe optical microscopy for imaging nonfluorescent chromophores.

PubMed

Wei, Lu; Min, Wei

2012-06-01

Many chromophores absorb light intensely but have undetectable fluorescence. Hence microscopy techniques other than fluorescence are highly desirable for imaging these chromophores inside live cells, tissues, and organisms. The recently developed pump-probe optical microscopy techniques provide fluorescence-free contrast mechanisms by employing several fundamental light-molecule interactions including excited state absorption, stimulated emission, ground state depletion, and the photothermal effect. By using the pump pulse to excite molecules and the subsequent probe pulse to interrogate the created transient states on a laser scanning microscope, pump-probe microscopy offers imaging capability with high sensitivity and specificity toward nonfluorescent chromophores. Single-molecule sensitivity has even been demonstrated. Here we review and summarize the underlying principles of this emerging class of molecular imaging techniques.

Effects of pump recycling technique on stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold: a theoretical model.

PubMed

Al-Asadi, H A; Al-Mansoori, M H; Ajiya, M; Hitam, S; Saripan, M I; Mahdi, M A

2010-10-11

We develop a theoretical model that can be used to predict stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) threshold in optical fibers that arises through the effect of Brillouin pump recycling technique. Obtained simulation results from our model are in close agreement with our experimental results. The developed model utilizes single mode optical fiber of different lengths as the Brillouin gain media. For 5-km long single mode fiber, the calculated threshold power for SBS is about 16 mW for conventional technique. This value is reduced to about 8 mW when the residual Brillouin pump is recycled at the end of the fiber. The decrement of SBS threshold is due to longer interaction lengths between Brillouin pump and Stokes wave.

93% pump depletion, 3.5-W continuous-wave, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator.

PubMed

Bosenberg, W R; Drobshoff, A; Alexander, J I; Myers, L E; Byer, R L

1996-09-01

We report two cw, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) configurations based on periodically poled lithium niobate that result in significantly higher efficiency and output power than in previous studies. Using four-mirror OPO cavities and pumping with a 1.064-microm Nd:YAG laser, we observe 93% pump depletion and obtain ~86% of the converted pump photons as useful idler output. The single-beam, in-the-bucket idler output power of 3.55 W at 3.25 microm corresponds to ~80% of quantum-limited performance. We measure and compare the amplitude noise and spectral bandwidth of the two configurations. We also demonstrate >1 W of tunable cw output over the 3.3-3.9-microm spectral range.

Exciton Absorption in Semiconductor Quantum Wells Driven by a Strong Intersubband Pump Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Ansheng; Ning, Cun-Zheng

1999-01-01

Optical interband excitonic absorption of semiconductor quantum wells (QW's) driven by a coherent pump field is investigated based on semiconductor Bloch equations. The pump field has a photon energy close to the intersubband spacing between the first two conduction subbands in the QW's. An external weak optical field probes the interband transition. The excitonic effects and pump-induced population redistribution within the conduction subbands in the QW system are included. When the density of the electron-hole pairs in the QW structure is low, the pump field induces an Autler-Townes splitting of the exciton absorption spectrum. The split size and the peak positions of the absorption doublet depend not only on the pump frequency and intensity but also on the carrier density. As the density of the electron-hole pairs is increased, the split contrast (the ratio between the maximum and minimum values) is decreased because the exciton effect is suppressed at higher densities due to the many-body screening.

Ultra-compact Watt-level flat supercontinuum source pumped by noise-like pulse from an all-fiber oscillator.

PubMed

Chen, He; Zhou, Xuanfeng; Chen, Sheng-Ping; Jiang, Zong-Fu; Hou, Jing

2015-12-28

We demonstrate Watt-level flat visible supercontinuum (SC) generation in photonic crystal fibers, which is directly pumped by broadband noise-like pulses from an Yb-doped all-fiber oscillator. The novel SC generator is featured with elegant all-fiber-integrated architecture, high spectral flatness and high efficiency. Wide optical spectrum spanning from 500 nm to 2300 nm with 1.02 W optical power is obtained under the pump of 1.4 W noise-like pulse. The flatness of the spectrum in the range of 700 nm~1600 nm is less than 5 dB (including the pump residue). The exceptional simplicity, economical efficiency and the comparable performances make the noise-like pulse oscillator a competitive candidate to the widely used cascade amplified coherent pulse as the pump source of broadband SC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of SC generation which is directly pumped by an all-fiber noise-like pulse oscillator.

Broadband sensitive pump-probe setup for ultrafast optical switching of photonic nanostructures and semiconductors.

PubMed

Euser, Tijmen G; Harding, Philip J; Vos, Willem L

2009-07-01

We describe an ultrafast time resolved pump-probe spectroscopy setup aimed at studying the switching of nanophotonic structures. Both femtosecond pump and probe pulses can be independently tuned over broad frequency range between 3850 and 21,050 cm(-1). A broad pump scan range allows a large optical penetration depth, while a broad probe scan range is crucial to study strongly photonic crystals. A new data acquisition method allows for sensitive pump-probe measurements, and corrects for fluctuations in probe intensity and pump stray light. We observe a tenfold improvement of the precision of the setup compared to laser fluctuations, allowing a measurement accuracy of better than DeltaR=0.07% in a 1 s measurement time. Demonstrations of the improved technique are presented for a bulk Si wafer, a three-dimensional Si inverse opal photonic bandgap crystal, and z-scan measurements of the two-photon absorption coefficient of Si, GaAs, and the three-photon absorption coefficient of GaP in the infrared wavelength range.

Research on High-Intensity Picosecond Pump Laser in Short Pulse Optical Parametric Amplification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Xue; Peng, Yu-Jie; Wang, Jiang-Feng; Lu, Xing-Hua; Ouyang, Xiao-Ping; Chen, Jia-Lin; Jiang, You-En; Fan, Wei; Li, Xue-Chun

2013-01-01

A 527 nm pump laser generating 1.7 mJ energy with peak power of more than 0.12 GW is demonstrated. The theoretical simulation result shows that it has 106 gain in the picosecond-pump optical parametric chirped pulse amplification when the pump laser peak power is 0.1 GW and the intensity is more than 5 GW/cm2, and that it can limit the parametric fluorescence in the picosecond time scale of pump duration. The pump laser system adopts a master-oscillator power amplifier, which integrates a more than 30 pJ fiber-based oscillator with a 150 μJ regenerative amplifier and a relay-imaged four-pass diode-pump Nd glass amplifier to generate a 1 Hz top hat spatial beam and about 14 ps temporal Guassian pulse with <2% pulse-to-pulse energy stability. The output energy of the power amplifier is limited to 4 mJ for B-integral concern, and the frequency doubling efficiency can reach 65% with input intensity 10 GW/cm2.

Use of cryopumps on large space simulation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccrary, L. E.

1980-01-01

The need for clean, oil free space simulation systems has demanded the development of large, clean pumping systems. The assurance of optically dense liquid nitrogen baffles over diffusion pumps prevents backstreaming to a large extent, but does not preclude contamination from accidents or a control failure. Turbomolecular pumps or ion pumps achieve oil free systems but are only practical for relatively small chambers. Large cryopumps were developed and checked out which do achieve clean pumping of very large chambers. These pumps can be used as the original pumping system or can be retrofitted as a replacement for existing diffusion pumps.

Reduction of the Nonlinear Phase Shift Induced by Stimulated Brillouin Scattering for Bi-Directional Pumping Configuration System Using Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Asadi, H. A.

2013-02-01

We present a theoretical analysis of an additional nonlinear phase shift of backward Stokes wave based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in the system with a bi-directional pumping scheme. We optimize three parameters of the system: the numerical aperture, the optical loss and the pumping wavelength to minimize an additional nonlinear phase shift of backward Stokes waves due to stimulated Brillouin scattering. The optimization is performed with various Brillouin pump powers and the optical reflectivity values are based on the modern, global evolutionary computation algorithm, particle swarm optimization. It is shown that the additional nonlinear phase shift of backward Stokes wave varies with different optical fiber lengths, and can be minimized to less than 0.07 rad according to the particle swarm optimization algorithm for 5 km. The bi-directional pumping configuration system is shown to be efficient when it is possible to transmit the power output to advanced when frequency detuning is negative and delayed when it is positive, with the optimum values of the three parameters to achieve the reduction of an additional nonlinear phase shift.

High-speed switching of biphoton delays through electro-optic pump frequency modulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Odele, Ogaga D.; Lukens, Joseph M.; Jaramillo-Villegas, Jose A.

The realization of high-speed tunable delay control has received significant attention in the scene of classical photonics. In quantum optics, however, such rapid delay control systems for entangled photons have remained undeveloped. Here for the first time, we demonstrate rapid (2.5 MHz) modulation of signal-idler arrival times through electro-optic pump frequency modulation. Our technique applies the quantum phenomenon of nonlocal dispersion cancellation along with pump frequency tuning to control the relative delay between photon pairs. Chirped fiber Bragg gratings are employed to provide large amounts of dispersion which result in biphoton delays exceeding 30 ns. This rapid delay modulation schememore » could be useful for on-demand single-photon distribution in addition to quantum versions of pulse position modulation.« less

High-speed switching of biphoton delays through electro-optic pump frequency modulation

DOE PAGES

Odele, Ogaga D.; Lukens, Joseph M.; Jaramillo-Villegas, Jose A.; ...

2016-12-08

The realization of high-speed tunable delay control has received significant attention in the scene of classical photonics. In quantum optics, however, such rapid delay control systems for entangled photons have remained undeveloped. Here for the first time, we demonstrate rapid (2.5 MHz) modulation of signal-idler arrival times through electro-optic pump frequency modulation. Our technique applies the quantum phenomenon of nonlocal dispersion cancellation along with pump frequency tuning to control the relative delay between photon pairs. Chirped fiber Bragg gratings are employed to provide large amounts of dispersion which result in biphoton delays exceeding 30 ns. This rapid delay modulation schememore » could be useful for on-demand single-photon distribution in addition to quantum versions of pulse position modulation.« less

Synthetic topological Kondo insulator in a pumped optical cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Zhen; Zou, Xu-Bo; Guo, Guang-Can

2018-02-01

Motivated by experimental advances on ultracold atoms coupled to a pumped optical cavity, we propose a scheme for synthesizing and observing the Kondo insulator in Fermi gases trapped in optical lattices. The synthetic Kondo phase arises from the screening of localized atoms coupled to mobile ones, which in our proposal is generated via the pumping laser as well as the cavity. By designing the atom-cavity coupling, it can engineer a nearest-neighbor-site Kondo coupling that plays an essential role for supporting topological Kondo phase. Therefore, the cavity-induced Kondo transition is associated with a nontrivial topological features, resulting in the coexistence of the superradiant and topological Kondo state. Our proposal can be realized with current technique, and thus has potential applications in quantum simulation of the topological Kondo insulator in ultracold atoms.

Solar pumped laser technology options for space power transmission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conway, E. J.

1986-01-01

An overview of long-range options for in-space laser power transmission is presented. The focus is on the new technology and research status of solar-pumped lasers and their solar concentration needs. The laser options include gas photodissociation lasers, optically-pumped solid-state lasers, and blackbody-pumped transfer lasers. The paper concludes with a summary of current research thrusts.

Method for Reducing Pumping Damage to Blood

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bozeman, Richard J., Jr. (Inventor); Akkerman, James W. (Inventor); Aber, Gregory S. (Inventor); VanDamm, George Arthur (Inventor); Bacak, James W. (Inventor); Svejkovsky, Robert J. (Inventor); Benkowski, Robert J. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

Methods are provided for minimizing damage to blood in a blood pump wherein the blood pump comprises a plurality of pump components that may affect blood damage such as clearance between pump blades and housing, number of impeller blades, rounded or flat blade edges, variations in entrance angles of blades, impeller length, and the like. The process comprises selecting a plurality of pump components believed to affect blood damage such as those listed herein before. Construction variations for each of the plurality of pump components are then selected. The pump components and variations are preferably listed in a matrix for easy visual comparison of test results. Blood is circulated through a pump configuration to test each variation of each pump component. After each test, total blood damage is determined for the blood pump. Preferably each pump component variation is tested at least three times to provide statistical results and check consistency of results. The least hemolytic variation for each pump component is preferably selected as an optimized component. If no statistical difference as to blood damage is produced for a variation of a pump component, then the variation that provides preferred hydrodynamic performance is selected. To compare the variation of pump components such as impeller and stator blade geometries, the preferred embodiment of the invention uses a stereolithography technique for realizing complex shapes within a short time period.

Cross-phase-modulation-induced temporal reflection and waveguiding of optical pulses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Plansinis, Brent W.; Donaldson, William R.; Agrawal, Govind P.

Cross-phase modulation (XPM) is commonly viewed as a nonlinear process that chirps a probe pulse and modifies its spectrum when an intense pump pulse overlaps with it. Here we present an alternative view of XPM in which the pump pulse creates a moving refractive-index boundary that splits the probe pulse into two parts with distinct optical spectra through temporal reflection and refraction inside a dispersive nonlinear medium. The probe even undergoes a temporal version of total internal reflection for sufficiently intense pump pulses, a phenomenon that can be exploited for making temporal waveguides. In this paper we investigate the practicalmore » conditions under which XPM can be exploited for temporal reflection and waveguiding. The width and shape of pump pulses as well as the nature of medium dispersion at the pump and probe wavelength (normal versus anomalous) play important roles. A super-Gaussian shape of pump pulses is particularly helpful because of its relatively sharp edges. When the pump wavelength lies in the anomalous-dispersion regime, the pump pulse can form a soliton,whose unique properties can be exploited to advantage. We also discuss a potential application of XPM-induced temporal waveguides for compensating timing jitter.« less

Cross-phase-modulation-induced temporal reflection and waveguiding of optical pulses

DOE PAGES

Plansinis, Brent W.; Donaldson, William R.; Agrawal, Govind P.

2018-01-31

Cross-phase modulation (XPM) is commonly viewed as a nonlinear process that chirps a probe pulse and modifies its spectrum when an intense pump pulse overlaps with it. Here we present an alternative view of XPM in which the pump pulse creates a moving refractive-index boundary that splits the probe pulse into two parts with distinct optical spectra through temporal reflection and refraction inside a dispersive nonlinear medium. The probe even undergoes a temporal version of total internal reflection for sufficiently intense pump pulses, a phenomenon that can be exploited for making temporal waveguides. In this paper we investigate the practicalmore » conditions under which XPM can be exploited for temporal reflection and waveguiding. The width and shape of pump pulses as well as the nature of medium dispersion at the pump and probe wavelength (normal versus anomalous) play important roles. A super-Gaussian shape of pump pulses is particularly helpful because of its relatively sharp edges. When the pump wavelength lies in the anomalous-dispersion regime, the pump pulse can form a soliton,whose unique properties can be exploited to advantage. We also discuss a potential application of XPM-induced temporal waveguides for compensating timing jitter.« less

Rovibrational optical pumping of a molecular beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cournol, A.; Pillet, P.; Lignier, H.; Comparat, D.

2018-03-01

The preparation of molecules in well-defined internal states is essential for various studies in fundamental physics and physical chemistry. It is thus of particular interest to find methods that increase the brightness of molecular beams. Here, we report on rotational and vibrational pumpings of a supersonic beam of barium monofluoride molecules. With respect to previous works, the time scale of optical vibrational pumping has been greatly reduced by enhancing the spectral power density in the vicinity of the appropriate molecular transitions. We demonstrate a complete transfer of the rovibrational populations lying in v″=1 -3 into the vibrational ground-state v″=0 . Rotational pumping, which requires efficient vibrational pumping, has been also demonstrated. According to a Maxwell-Boltzmann description, the rotational temperature of our sample has been reduced by a factor of ˜8 . In this fashion, the population of the lowest rotational levels increased by more than one order of magnitude.

Electron gyroharmonic effects in ionization and electron acceleration during high-frequency pumping in the ionosphere.

PubMed

Gustavsson, B; Leyser, T B; Kosch, M; Rietveld, M T; Steen, A; Brändström, B U E; Aso, T

2006-11-10

Optical emissions and incoherent scatter radar data obtained during high-frequency electromagnetic pumping of the ionospheric plasma from the ground give data on electron energization in an energy range from 2 to 100 eV. Optical emissions at 4278 A from N2+ that require electrons with energies above the 18 eV ionization energy give the first images ever of pump-induced ionization of the thermosphere. The intensity at 4278 A is asymmetric around the ionospheric electron gyroharmonic, being stronger above the gyroresonance. This contrasts with emissions at 6300 A from O(1D) and of electron temperature enhancements, which have minima at the gyroharmonic but have no apparent asymmetry. This direct evidence of pump-induced ionization contradicts previous indirect evidence, which indicated that ionization is most efficiently produced when the pump frequency was below the gyroharmonic.

Laser-Induced Fluorescence Measurements of Translational Temperature and Relative Cycle Number by use of Optically Pumped Trace-Sodium Vapor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dobson, Chris C.

1999-01-01

Sodium fluorescence induced by a narrow-bandwidth tunable laser has been used to measure temperature, pressure, axial velocity, and species concentrations in wind tunnels, rocket engine exhausts, and the upper atmosphere. Optical pumping of the ground states of the sodium, however, can radically alter the shape of the laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectrum, complicating such measurements. Here a straightforward extension of rate equations originally proposed to account for the features of the pumped spectrum is used to make temperature measurements from spectra taken in pumped vapor. Also determined from the spectrum is the relative fluorescence cycle number, which has application to measurement of diffusion rate and transverse flow velocity, The accuracy of both the temperature and the cycle-number measurements is comparable with that of temperature measurements made in the absence of pumping.

125-mJ diode-pumped injection-seeded Ho:Tm:YLF laser.

PubMed

Yu, J; Singh, U N; Barnes, N P; Petros, M

1998-05-15

We describe a diode-pumped, room-temperature Ho:Tm:YLF power oscillator with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 0.03. A Q -switched output energy of as much as 125 mJ at 6 Hz with a pulse width of 170 ns was obtained. Single-frequency, nearly transform-limited operation of the laser was achieved by injection seeding. Laser performance as a function of laser rod temperature and pump intensity was also investigated. The high power and high beam quality of this laser make it well suited for use as a coherent wind lidar transmitter on a space platform.

A new efficient far-infrared optically pumped laser Gas - CH3(O-18)(H)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ioli, N.; Moretti, A.; Pereira, D.; Strumia, F.; Garelli, G.

1989-04-01

The (C-12)(H3)(O-18)(H) molecule has been investigated for new far-infrared laser lines by optically pumping it with a CW waveguide CO2 laser. The larger tunability (318 MHz) with respect to a conventional CO2 laser permits the pumping of many (C-12)(H3)(O-18)(H) lines. As a consequence 100 new laser lines have been discovered, ranging from 34.6 to 653.2-microns in wavelength. The infrared spectrum of (C-12)(H3)(O-18)(H) has been observed and all the fundamental vibration energies measured.

Spontaneous generation of vortex and coherent vector beams from a thin-slice c-cut Nd:GdVO4 laser with wide-aperture laser-diode end pumping: application to highly sensitive rotational and translational Doppler velocimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsuka, Kenju; Chu, Shu-Chun

2017-07-01

Selective excitation of Laguerre-Gauss modes (optical vortices: helical LG0,2 and LG0,1), reflecting their weak transverse cross-saturation of population inversions against a preceding higher-order Ince-Gauss (IG0,2) or Hermite-Gauss (HG2,1) mode, was observed in a thin-slice c-cut Nd:GdVO4 laser with wide-aperture laser-diode end pumping. Single-frequency coherent vector beams were generated through the transverse mode locking of a pair of orthogonally polarized IG2,0 and LG0,2 or HG2,1 and LG0,1 modes. Highly sensitive self-mixing rotational and translational Doppler velocimetry is demonstrated by using vortex and coherent vector beams.

Vanadium-pumped titanium x-ray laser

DOEpatents

Nilsen, J.

1992-05-26

A resonantly photo-pumped x-ray laser is formed of a vanadium and titanium foil combination that is driven by two beams of intense line focused optical laser radiation. Ground state neon-like titanium ions are resonantly photo-pumped by line emission from fluorine-like vanadium ions. 4 figs.

Enhancing chemical reactions

DOEpatents

Morrey, John R.

1978-01-01

Methods of enhancing selected chemical reactions. The population of a selected high vibrational energy state of a reactant molecule is increased substantially above its population at thermal equilibrium by directing onto the molecule a beam of radiant energy from a laser having a combination of frequency and intensity selected to pump the selected energy state, and the reaction is carried out with the temperature, pressure, and concentrations of reactants maintained at a combination of values selected to optimize the reaction in preference to thermal degradation by transforming the absorbed energy into translational motion. The reaction temperature is selected to optimize the reaction. Typically a laser and a frequency doubler emit radiant energy at frequencies of .nu. and 2.nu. into an optical dye within an optical cavity capable of being tuned to a wanted frequency .delta. or a parametric oscillator comprising a non-centrosymmetric crystal having two indices of refraction, to emit radiant energy at the frequencies of .nu., 2.nu., and .delta. (and, with a parametric oscillator, also at 2.nu.-.delta.). Each unwanted frequency is filtered out, and each desired frequency is focused to the desired radiation flux within a reaction chamber and is reflected repeatedly through the chamber while reactants are fed into the chamber and reaction products are removed therefrom.

Development of high-performance alkali-hybrid polarized 3He targets for electron scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Jaideep T.; Dolph, P. A. M.; Tobias, W. A.; Averett, T. D.; Kelleher, A.; Mooney, K. E.; Nelyubin, V. V.; Wang, Yunxiao; Zheng, Yuan; Cates, G. D.

2015-05-01

Background: Polarized 3He targets have been used as effective polarized neutron targets for electron scattering experiments for over twenty years. Over the last ten years, the effective luminosity of polarized 3He targets based on spin-exchange optical pumping has increased by over an order of magnitude. This has come about because of improvements in commercially-available lasers and an improved understanding of the physics behind the polarization process. Purpose: We present the development of high-performance polarized 3He targets for use in electron scattering experiments. Improvements in the performance of polarized 3He targets, target properties, and operating parameters are documented. Methods: We utilize the technique of alkali-hybrid spin-exchange optical pumping to polarize the 3He targets. Spectrally narrowed diode lasers used for the optical pumping greatly improved the performance. A simulation of the alkali-hybrid spin-exchange optical pumping process was developed to provide guidance in the design of the targets. Data was collected during the characterization of 24 separate glass target cells, each of which was constructed while preparing for one of four experiments at Jefferson Laboratory in Newport News, Virginia. Results: From the data obtained we made determinations of the so-called X -factors that quantify a temperature-dependent and as-yet poorly understood spin-relaxation mechanism that limits the maximum achievable 3He polarization to well under 100%. The presence of the X -factor spin-relaxation mechanism was clearly evident in our data. Good agreement between the simulation and the actual target performance was obtained by including details such as off-resonant optical pumping. Included in our results is a measurement of the K -3He spin-exchange rate coefficient kseK=(7.46 ±0.62 ) ×10-20cm3/s over the temperature range 503 K to 563 K. Conclusions: In order to achieve high performance under the operating conditions described in this paper, the K to Rb alkali vapor density ratio should be about 5 ±2 and the line width of the optical pumping lasers should be no more than 0.3 nm. Our measurements of the X -factors under these conditions seem to indicate the 3He polarization is limited to ≈90 %. The simulation results, now benchmarked against experimental data, are useful for the design of future targets. Further work is required to better understand the temperature dependence of the X -factor spin-relaxation mechanism and the limitations of our optical pumping simulation.

Practical method for transversely measuring the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Zhichao; Yuan, Jie; Long, Xingwu

2018-06-01

A practical method to measure the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali atoms is demonstrated. In order to realize transverse measurement, the transverse spin component of spin-polarized alkali atoms is created by a rotating exciting magnetic field, and detected using the optical rotation of a near-resonant probe beam for realizing a high detection sensitivity. The dependency of the optical rotation on the spin polarization of 133Cs atoms is derived theoretically and verified experimentally. By changing the direction of the rotating magnetic field, we realize the transverse measurement of the spin polarization of 133Cs atoms in either ground-state hyperfine level.

Silicon photonic filters with high rejection of both TE and TM modes for on-chip four wave mixing applications.

PubMed

Cantarella, Giuseppe; Klitis, Charalambos; Sorel, Marc; Strain, Michael J

2017-08-21

Wavelength selective filters represent one of the key elements for photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and many of their applications in linear and non-linear optics. In devices optimised for single polarisation operation, cross-polarisation scattering can significantly limit the achievable filter rejection. An on-chip filter consisting of elements to filter both TE and TM polarisations is demonstrated, based on a cascaded ring resonator geometry, which exhibits a high total optical rejection of over 60 dB. Monolithic integration of a cascaded ring filter with a four-wave mixing micro-ring device is also experimentally demonstrated with a FWM efficiency of -22dB and pump filter extinction of 62dB.

Radio-over-fiber system with octuple frequency optical millimeter-wave signal generation using dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator based on four-wave mixing in semiconductor optical amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Hui; Zeng, Yuting; Chen, Ming; Shen, Yunlong

2018-03-01

We have proposed a scheme of radio-over-fiber (RoF) system employing a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DP-MZM) based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). In this scheme, the pump and the signal are generated by properly adjusting the direct current bias, modulation index of the DP-MZM, and the phase difference between the sub-MZMs. Because of the pump and the signal deriving from the same optical wave, the polarization states of the two lightwaves are copolarized. The single-pump FWM is polarization insensitive. After FWM and optical filtering, the optical millimeter-wave with octuple frequency is generated. About 40-GHz RoF system with a 2.5-Gbit / s signal is implemented by numerical simulation; the result shows that it has a good performance after the signal is transmitted over 40-km single-mode fiber. Then, the effects of the SOA's injection current and the carrier-to-sideband ratio on the system performance are discussed by simulation, and the optimum value for the system is obtained.

Effect of laser cavity parameters on saturation of light – current characteristics of high-power pulsed lasers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Veselov, D A; Pikhtin, N A; Lyutetskiy, A V

2015-07-31

We report an experimental study of power characteristics of semiconductor lasers based on MOVPE-grown asymmetric separate-confinement heterostructures with a broadened waveguide as functions of cavity length, stripe contact width and mirror reflectivities. It is shown that at high current pump levels, the variation of the cavity parameters of a semiconductor laser (width, length and mirror reflectivities) influences the light – current (L – I) characteristic saturation and maximum optical power by affecting such laser characteristics, as the current density and the optical output loss. A model is elaborated and an optical power of semiconductor lasers is calculated by taking intomore » account the dependence of the internal optical loss on pump current density and concentration distribution of charge carriers and photons along the cavity axis of the cavity. It is found that only introduction of the dependence of the internal optical loss on pump current density to the calculation model provides a good agreement between experimental and calculated L – I characteristics for all scenarios of variations in the laser cavity parameters. (lasers)« less

Optically induced metal-to-dielectric transition in Epsilon-Near-Zero metamaterials

PubMed Central

Kaipurath, R. M.; Pietrzyk, M.; Caspani, L.; Roger, T.; Clerici, M.; Rizza, C.; Ciattoni, A.; Di Falco, A.; Faccio, D.

2016-01-01

Epsilon-Near-Zero materials exhibit a transition in the real part of the dielectric permittivity from positive to negative value as a function of wavelength. Here we study metal-dielectric layered metamaterials in the homogenised regime (each layer has strongly subwavelength thickness) with zero real part of the permittivity in the near-infrared region. By optically pumping the metamaterial we experimentally show that close to the Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) wavelength the permittivity exhibits a marked transition from metallic (negative permittivity) to dielectric (positive permittivity) as a function of the optical power. Remarkably, this transition is linear as a function of pump power and occurs on time scales of the order of the 100 fs pump pulse that need not be tuned to a specific wavelength. The linearity of the permittivity increase allows us to express the response of the metamaterial in terms of a standard third order optical nonlinearity: this shows a clear inversion of the roles of the real and imaginary parts in crossing the ENZ wavelength, further supporting an optically induced change in the physical behaviour of the metamaterial. PMID:27292270

Novel, compact, and simple ND:YVO4 laser with 12 W of CW optical output power and good beam quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimer, H.; Langer, B.; Wittrock, U.; Heine, F.; Hildebrandt, U.; Seel, S.; Lange, R.

2017-11-01

We present first, promising experiments with a novel, compact and simple Nd:YVO4 slab laser with 12 W of 1.06 μm optical output power and a beam quality factor M2 2.5. The laser is made of a diffusion-bonded YVO4/Nd:YVO4 composite crystal that exhibits two unique features. First, it ensures a one-dimensional heat removal from the laser crystal, which leads to a temperature profile without detrimental influence on the laser beam. Thus, the induced thermo-optical aberrations to the laser field are low, allowing power scaling with good beam quality. Second, the composite crystal itself acts as a waveguide for the 809 nm pump-light that is supplied from a diode laser bar. Pump-light shaping optics, e.g. fast- or slow-axis collimators can be omitted, reducing the complexity of the system. Pump-light redundancy can be easily achieved. Eventually, the investigated slab laser might be suitable for distortion-free high gain amplification of weak optical signals.

Fabrication and performance of tuneable single-mode VCSELs emitting in the 750- to 1000-nm range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grabherr, Martin; Wiedenmann, Dieter; Jaeger, Roland; King, Roger

2005-03-01

The growing demand on low cost high spectral purity laser sources at specific wavelengths for applications like tuneable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and optical pumping of atomic clocks can be met by sophisticated single-mode VCSELs in the 760 to 980 nm wavelength range. Equipped with micro thermo electrical cooler (TEC) and thermistor inside a small standard TO46 package, the resulting wavelength tuning range is larger than +/- 2.5 nm. U-L-M photonics presents manufacturing aspects, device performance and reliability data on tuneable single-mode VCSELs at 760, 780, 794, 852, and 948 nm lately introduced to the market. According applications are O2 sensing, Rb pumping, Cs pumping, and moisture sensing, respectively. The first part of the paper dealing with manufacturing aspects focuses on control of resonance wavelength during epitaxial growth and process control during selective oxidation for current confinement. Acceptable resonance wavelength tolerance is as small as +/- 1nm and typical aperture size of oxide confined single-mode VCSELs is 3 &mum with only few hundred nm tolerance. Both of these major production steps significantly contribute to yield on wafer values. Key performance data for the presented single-mode VCSELs are: >0.5 mW of optical output power, >30 dB side mode suppression ratio, and extrapolated 10E7 h MTTF at room temperature based on several millions of real test hours. Finally, appropriate fiber coupling solutions will be presented and discussed.

A Research and Development Strategy for Unexploded Ordnance Sensing

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-04-01

Each lane was carefully traversed with the MK-26 Ordnance Detector (dual fluxgate magnetometer hand-held unit) and the operator hand-excavated any...proton-precessing magnetometers , optically pumped magnetometers , fluxgates magnetometers , and magnetometers based on superconducting quantum...sensitivity better than 0.05 nT, and the optically-pumped magnetometers have sensitivity better than 0.005 nT. Fluxgate magnetometers are based on solid

Beam splitter coupled CDSE optical parametric oscillator

DOEpatents

Levinos, Nicholas J.; Arnold, George P.

1980-01-01

An optical parametric oscillator is disclosed in which the resonant radiation is separated from the pump and output radiation so that it can be manipulated without interfering with them. Thus, for example, very narrow band output may readily be achieved by passing the resonant radiation through a line narrowing device which does not in itself interfere with either the pump radiation or the output radiation.

All-optical, thermo-optical path length modulation based on the vanadium-doped fibers.

PubMed

Matjasec, Ziga; Campelj, Stanislav; Donlagic, Denis

2013-05-20

This paper presents an all-fiber, fully-optically controlled, optical-path length modulator based on highly absorbing optical fiber. The modulator utilizes a high-power 980 nm pump diode and a short section of vanadium-co-doped single mode fiber that is heated through absorption and a non-radiative relaxation process. The achievable path length modulation range primarily depends on the pump's power and the convective heat-transfer coefficient of the surrounding gas, while the time response primarily depends on the heated fiber's diameter. An absolute optical length change in excess of 500 µm and a time-constant as short as 11 ms, were demonstrated experimentally. The all-fiber design allows for an electrically-passive and remote operation of the modulator. The presented modulator could find use within various fiber-optics systems that require optical (remote) path length control or modulation.

Near-Field Infrared Pump-Probe Imaging of Surface Phonon Coupling in Boron Nitride Nanotubes.

PubMed

Gilburd, Leonid; Xu, Xiaoji G; Bando, Yoshio; Golberg, Dmitri; Walker, Gilbert C

2016-01-21

Surface phonon modes are lattice vibrational modes of a solid surface. Two common surface modes, called longitudinal and transverse optical modes, exhibit lattice vibration along or perpendicular to the direction of the wave. We report a two-color, infrared pump-infrared probe technique based on scattering type near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) to spatially resolve coupling between surface phonon modes. Spatially varying couplings between the longitudinal optical and surface phonon polariton modes of boron nitride nanotubes are observed, and a simple model is proposed.

Coherent population trapping resonances at lower atomic levels of Doppler broadened optical lines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Şahin, E; Hamid, R; Çelik, M

2014-11-30

We have detected and analysed narrow high-contrast coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances, which are induced in absorption of a weak monochromatic probe light beam by counterpropagating two-frequency pump radiation in a cell with rarefied caesium vapour. The experimental investigations have been performed by the example of nonclosed three level Λ-systems formed by spectral components of the D{sub 2} line of caesium atoms. The applied method allows one to analyse features of the CPT phenomenon directly at a given low long-lived level of the selected Λ-system even in sufficiently complicated spectra of atomic gases with large Doppler broadening. We have establishedmore » that CPT resonances in transmission of the probe beam exhibit not only a higher contrast but also a much lesser width in comparison with well- known CPT resonances in transmission of the corresponding two-frequency pump radiation. The results obtained can be used in selective photophysics, photochemistry and ultra-high resolution atomic (molecular) spectroscopy. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)« less

Coherent Control to Prepare an InAs Quantum Dot for Spin-Photon Entanglement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webster, L. A.; Truex, K.; Duan, L.-M.; Steel, D. G.; Bracker, A. S.; Gammon, D.; Sham, L. J.

2014-03-01

We optically generated an electronic state in a single InAs /GaAs self-assembled quantum dot that is a precursor to the deterministic entanglement of the spin of the electron with an emitted photon in the proposal of W. Yao, R.-B. Liu, and L. J. Sham [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 030504 (2005).]. A superposition state is prepared by optical pumping to a pure state followed by an initial pulse. By modulating the subsequent pulse arrival times and precisely controlling them using interferometric measurement of path length differences, we are able to implement a coherent control technique to selectively drive exactly one of the two components of the superposition to the ground state. This optical transition contingent on spin was driven with the same broadband pulses that created the superposition through the use of a two pulse coherent control sequence. A final pulse affords measurement of the coherence of this "preentangled" state.

Optical silencing of body wall muscles induces pumping inhibition in Caenorhabditis elegans

PubMed Central

Takahashi, Megumi

2017-01-01

Feeding, a vital behavior in animals, is modulated depending on internal and external factors. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the feeding organ called the pharynx ingests food by pumping driven by the pharyngeal muscles. Here we report that optical silencing of the body wall muscles, which drive the locomotory movement of worms, affects pumping. In worms expressing the Arch proton pump or the ACR2 anion channel in the body wall muscle cells, the pumping rate decreases after activation of Arch or ACR2 with light illumination, and recovers gradually after terminating illumination. Pumping was similarly inhibited by illumination in locomotion-defective mutants carrying Arch, suggesting that perturbation of locomotory movement is not critical for pumping inhibition. Analysis of mutants and cell ablation experiments showed that the signals mediating the pumping inhibition response triggered by activation of Arch with weak light are transferred mainly through two pathways: one involving gap junction-dependent mechanisms through pharyngeal I1 neurons, which mediate fast signals, and the other involving dense-core vesicle-dependent mechanisms, which mediate slow signals. Activation of Arch with strong light inhibited pumping strongly in a manner that does not rely on either gap junction-dependent or dense-core vesicle-dependent mechanisms. Our study revealed a new aspect of the neural and neuroendocrine controls of pumping initiated from the body wall muscles. PMID:29281635

Determining the optimum solar water pumping system for domestic use, livestock water, or irrigation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

For several years we have field tested many different types of solar powered water pumping systems. In this paper, several steps are given to select a solar-PV water pumping system. The steps for selection of stand-alone water pumping system were: deciding whether a wind or solar water pumping sys...

Development (design and systematization) of HMS Group pump ranges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tverdokhleb, I.; Yamburenko, V.

2017-08-01

The article reveals the need for pump range charts development for different applications and describes main principles used by HMS Group. Some modern approaches to pump selection are reviewed and highlighted the need for pump compliance with international standards and modern customer requirements. Even though pump design types are similar for different applications they need adjustment to specific requirements, which gets manufacturers develop their particular design for each pump range. Having wide pump ranges for different applications enables to create pump selection software, facilitating manufacturers to prepare high quality quotations in shortest time.

Spatial Combining of Laser-Diode Beams for Pumping an NPRO

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gelsinger, Paul; Liu, Duncan; Mulder, Jerry; Aguayo, Francisco

2008-01-01

A free-space optical beam combiner now undergoing development makes it possible to use the outputs of multiple multimode laser diodes to pump a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) non-planar ring oscillator (NPRO) laser while ensuring that the laser operates at only a single desired frequency. Heretofore, a Nd:YAG NPRO like the present one has been pumped by a single multimode laser-diode beam delivered via an optical fiber. It would be desirable to use multiple pump laser diodes to increase reliability beyond that obtainable from a single pump laser diode. However, as explained in this article, simplistically coupling multiple multimode laser-diode beams through a fiber-optic combiner would entail a significant reduction in coupling efficiency, and lasing would occur at one or more other frequencies in addition to the single desired frequency. To minimize coupling loss, one must ensure that the NA (approximately equal to 0.3) of the combined laser-diode beams is less than the NA of the fiber. The A(Omega) of the laser-diode beam in the slow-axis plane is 1/1.3 as large as that of the fiber. This A(Omega) is small enough to enable efficient coupling of light into the optical fiber, but too large for combining of beams in the slow-axis plane. Therefore, a pair of cylindrical lenses is used to cancel the slow-axis plane magnification introduced by the on-cylindrical lenses used to effect magnification in the fast-axis plane.

Idler-resonant intracavity KTA-based OPO pumped by a dual-loss modulated-Q-switched-laser with AOM and Cr4+:YAG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, Junpeng; Zhao, Shengzhi; Yang, Kejian; Zhao, Jia; Li, Guiqiu; Li, Dechun; Li, Tao; Qiao, Wenchao

2017-06-01

An idler-resonant KTiOAsO4 (KTA)-based intracavity optical parametric oscillator (IOPO) pumped by a dual-loss-modulated Q-switched laser with an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) and a Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber (Cr4+:YAG-SA) has been presented. By utilizing a type-II non-critically phase-matched KTA crystal, signal wave at 1535 nm and idler wave at 3467 nm have been generated. Under an incident pump power of 18.3 W, maximum output powers of 615 mW for signal wave and 228 mW for idler wave were obtained at an AOM modulation rate of 10 kHz, corresponding to a whole optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 4.6%. The shortest pulse widths of signal and idler wave were measured to be 898 ps and 2.9 ns, corresponding to the highest peak powers of 68.4 and 7.9 kW, respectively. In comparison with IOPO pumped by a singly Q-switched laser with an AOM, the IOPO pumped by a doubly Q-switched laser (DIOPO) with an AOM and a Cr4+:YAG-SA can generate signal wave and idler wave with shorter pulse width and higher peak power. By considering the spatial Gaussian distribution of intracavity photon density, a set of coupled rate equations for the idler-resonant DIOPO were built for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The simulation results agreed well with the experimental results.

Scalable waveguide design for three-level operation in Neodymium doped fiber laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pax, Paul H.; Khitrov, Victor V.; Drachenberg, Derrek R.

We have constructed a double clad neodymium doped fiber laser operating on the three-level 4F 3/2 → 4I 9/2 transition. The laser has produced 11.5 W at 925 nm with 55% slope efficiency when pumped at 808 nm, comparable to the best previous results for a double-clad fiber configuration on this transition. Higher power pumping with both 808 nm and 880 nm sources resulted in an output of 27 W, albeit at lower slope efficiency. In both cases, output power was limited by available pump, indicating the potential for further power scaling. To suppress the stronger four-level 4F 3/2 →more » 4I 11/2 transition we developed a waveguide that provides spectral filtering distributed along the length of the fiber, based on an all-solid micro-structured optical fiber design, with resonant inclusions creating a leakage path to the cladding. Furthermore, the waveguide supports large mode areas and provides strong suppression at selectable wavelength bands, thus easing the restrictions on core and cladding sizes that limited power scaling of previous approaches.« less

Scalable waveguide design for three-level operation in Neodymium doped fiber laser

DOE PAGES

Pax, Paul H.; Khitrov, Victor V.; Drachenberg, Derrek R.; ...

2016-12-12

We have constructed a double clad neodymium doped fiber laser operating on the three-level 4F 3/2 → 4I 9/2 transition. The laser has produced 11.5 W at 925 nm with 55% slope efficiency when pumped at 808 nm, comparable to the best previous results for a double-clad fiber configuration on this transition. Higher power pumping with both 808 nm and 880 nm sources resulted in an output of 27 W, albeit at lower slope efficiency. In both cases, output power was limited by available pump, indicating the potential for further power scaling. To suppress the stronger four-level 4F 3/2 →more » 4I 11/2 transition we developed a waveguide that provides spectral filtering distributed along the length of the fiber, based on an all-solid micro-structured optical fiber design, with resonant inclusions creating a leakage path to the cladding. Furthermore, the waveguide supports large mode areas and provides strong suppression at selectable wavelength bands, thus easing the restrictions on core and cladding sizes that limited power scaling of previous approaches.« less

Investigation of Ag, Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles effects as impurities in Laser Induced Breakdown in distilled water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahdieh, Mohammad Hossein; Akbari Jafarabadi, Marzieh; Safari Syahkal, Mehran; Mozaffari, Hossein

2017-08-01

In this paper, laser induced optical breakdown in colloidal nanoparticles was studied by using pump- probe beam technique. Colloidal nanoparticles of Ag (as a good conductor), Al2O3 and TiO2 (with good dielectric properties) were used in this investigation. The optical breakdown was induced by an Nd:YAG laser beam (operating at 1064 nm with pulse duration ∼30 ns). A small portion of the beam was taken by an optical splitter and used as probe beam. The time varying transmission of the probe beam transversely through the plasma was measured during the breakdown process. According to the results, the nanoparticles characteristics and pump beam intensity have significant influence in the breakdown process. Our results also show dissimilar dynamic behaviors for conductor and dielectric nanoparticles at different pump intensity. The results are useful for nanoparticle synthesis by laser ablation in distilled water in which the optical breakdown intensity threshold of ambient water influenced by generated nanoparticles.

Continuous-wave infrared optical gain and amplified spontaneous emission at ultralow threshold by colloidal HgTe quantum dots.

PubMed

Geiregat, Pieter; Houtepen, Arjan J; Sagar, Laxmi Kishore; Infante, Ivan; Zapata, Felipe; Grigel, Valeriia; Allan, Guy; Delerue, Christophe; Van Thourhout, Dries; Hens, Zeger

2018-01-01

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) raise more and more interest as solution-processable and tunable optical gain materials. However, especially for infrared active QDs, optical gain remains inefficient. Since stimulated emission involves multifold degenerate band-edge states, population inversion can be attained only at high pump power and must compete with efficient multi-exciton recombination. Here, we show that mercury telluride (HgTe) QDs exhibit size-tunable stimulated emission throughout the near-infrared telecom window at thresholds unmatched by any QD studied before. We attribute this unique behaviour to surface-localized states in the bandgap that turn HgTe QDs into 4-level systems. The resulting long-lived population inversion induces amplified spontaneous emission under continuous-wave optical pumping at power levels compatible with solar irradiation and direct current electrical pumping. These results introduce an alternative approach for low-threshold QD-based gain media based on intentional trap states that paves the way for solution-processed infrared QD lasers and amplifiers.

Holography and thermalization in optical pump-probe spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagrov, A.; Craps, B.; Galli, F.; Keränen, V.; Keski-Vakkuri, E.; Zaanen, J.

2018-04-01

Using holography, we model experiments in which a 2 +1 D strange metal is pumped by a laser pulse into a highly excited state, after which the time evolution of the optical conductivity is probed. We consider a finite-density state with mildly broken translation invariance and excite it by oscillating electric field pulses. At zero density, the optical conductivity would assume its thermalized value immediately after the pumping has ended. At finite density, pulses with significant dc components give rise to slow exponential relaxation, governed by a vector quasinormal mode. In contrast, for high-frequency pulses the amplitude of the quasinormal mode is strongly suppressed, so that the optical conductivity assumes its thermalized value effectively instantaneously. This surprising prediction may provide a stimulus for taking up the challenge to realize these experiments in the laboratory. Such experiments would test a crucial open question faced by applied holography: are its predictions artifacts of the large N limit or do they enjoy sufficient UV independence to hold at least qualitatively in real-world systems?

Continuous-wave infrared optical gain and amplified spontaneous emission at ultralow threshold by colloidal HgTe quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geiregat, Pieter; Houtepen, Arjan J.; Sagar, Laxmi Kishore; Infante, Ivan; Zapata, Felipe; Grigel, Valeriia; Allan, Guy; Delerue, Christophe; van Thourhout, Dries; Hens, Zeger

2018-01-01

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) raise more and more interest as solution-processable and tunable optical gain materials. However, especially for infrared active QDs, optical gain remains inefficient. Since stimulated emission involves multifold degenerate band-edge states, population inversion can be attained only at high pump power and must compete with efficient multi-exciton recombination. Here, we show that mercury telluride (HgTe) QDs exhibit size-tunable stimulated emission throughout the near-infrared telecom window at thresholds unmatched by any QD studied before. We attribute this unique behaviour to surface-localized states in the bandgap that turn HgTe QDs into 4-level systems. The resulting long-lived population inversion induces amplified spontaneous emission under continuous-wave optical pumping at power levels compatible with solar irradiation and direct current electrical pumping. These results introduce an alternative approach for low-threshold QD-based gain media based on intentional trap states that paves the way for solution-processed infrared QD lasers and amplifiers.

Diode-side-pumped continuous wave Nd³⁺ : YVO₄ self-Raman laser at 1176 nm.

PubMed

Kores, Cristine Calil; Jakutis-Neto, Jonas; Geskus, Dimitri; Pask, Helen M; Wetter, Niklaus U

2015-08-01

Here we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first diode-side-pumped continuous wave (cw) Nd3+:YVO4 self-Raman laser operating at 1176 nm. The compact cavity design is based on the total internal reflection of the laser beam at the pumped side of the Nd3+:YVO4 crystal. Configurations with a single bounce and a double bounce of the laser beam at the pumped faced have been characterized, providing a quasi-cw peak output power of more than 8 W (multimode) with an optical conversion efficiency of 11.5% and 3.7 W (TEM00) having an optical conversion efficiency of 5.4%, respectively. Cw output power of 1.8 W has been demonstrated.

Solar pumped continuous wave carbon dioxide laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yesil, O.; Christiansen, W. H.

1978-01-01

In an effort to demonstrate the feasibility of a solar pumped laser concept, gain has been measured in a CO2-He laser medium optically pumped by blackbody radiation. Various gas mixtures of CO2 and He have been pumped by blackbody radiation emitted from an electrically heated oven. Using a CO2 laser as a probe, an optical gain coefficient of 1.8 x 10 to the -3rd/cm has been measured at 10.6 microns for a 9:1 CO2-He mixture at an oven temperature of about 1500 K, a gas temperature of about 400 K and a pressure of about 1 torr. This corresponds to a small signal gain coefficient when allowance is made for saturation effects due to the probe beam, in reasonable agreement with a theoretical value.

Two-stage optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier using sub-nanosecond pump pulse generated by stimulated Brillouin scattering compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogino, Jumpei; Miyamoto, Sho; Matsuyama, Takahiro; Sueda, Keiichi; Yoshida, Hidetsugu; Tsubakimoto, Koji; Miyanaga, Noriaki

2014-12-01

We demonstrate optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) based on two-beam pumping, using sub-nanosecond pulses generated by stimulated Brillouin scattering compression. Seed pulse energy, duration, and center wavelength were 5 nJ, 220 ps, and ˜1065 nm, respectively. The 532 nm pulse from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was compressed to ˜400 ps in heavy fluorocarbon FC-40 liquid. Stacking of two time-delayed pump pulses reduced the amplifier gain fluctuation. Using a walk-off-compensated two-stage OPCPA at a pump energy of 34 mJ, a total gain of 1.6 × 105 was obtained, yielding an output energy of 0.8 mJ. The amplified chirped pulse was compressed to 97 fs.

Steady-state, cavityless, multimode superradiance in a cold vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenberg, Joel A.; Gauthier, Daniel J.

2012-07-01

We demonstrate steady-state, mirrorless superradiance in a cold vapor pumped by weak optical fields. Beyond a critical pump intensity of 1 mW/cm2, the vapor spontaneously transforms into a spatially self-organized state: a density grating forms. Scattering of the pump beams off this grating generates a pair of new, intense optical fields that act back on the vapor to enhance the atomic organization. We map out experimentally the superradiant phase transition boundary and show that it is well described by our theoretical model. The resulting superradiant emission is nearly coherent, persists for several seconds, displays strong temporal correlations between the various modes, and has a coherence time of several hundred μs. This system therefore has applications in fundamental studies of many-body physics with long-range interactions as well as all-optical and quantum information processing.

Theoretical and experimental study of a laser-diode-pumped actively Q-switched Yb:NaY(WO4)2 laser with acoustic-optic modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Haikun; Xia, Wei; Song, Peng; Wang, Jing; Li, Xin

2018-03-01

A laser-diode-pumped actively Q-switched Yb:NaY(WO4)2 laser operating at around 1040 nm is presented for the first time with acoustic-optic modulator. The dependence of pulse width on incident pump power for different pulse repetition rates is measured. By considering the Guassian spatial distribution of the intracavity photon density and the initial population-inversion density as well as the longitudinal distribution of the photon density along the cavity axis and the turn off time of the acoustic-optic Q-switch, the coupled equations of the actively Q-switched Yb:NaY(WO4)2 laser are given. The coupled rate equations are used to simulate the Q-switched process of laser, and the numerical solutions agree with the experimental results.

Fabrication and characterization of a hybrid four-hole AsSe₂-As₂S₅ microstructured optical fiber with a large refractive index difference.

PubMed

Cheng, Tonglei; Kanou, Yasuhire; Deng, Dinghuan; Xue, Xiaojie; Matsumoto, Morio; Misumi, Takashi; Suzuki, Takenobu; Ohishi, Yasutake

2014-06-02

A hybrid four-hole AsSe2-As2S5 microstructured optical fiber (MOF) with a large refractive index difference is fabricated by the rod-in-tube drawing technique. The core and the cladding are made from the AsSe2 glass and As2S5 glass, respectively. The propagation loss is ~1.8 dB/m and the nonlinear coefficient is ~2.03 × 10(4) km(-1)W(-1) at 2000 nm. Raman scattering is observed in the normal dispersion regime when the fiber is pumped by a 2 μm mode-locked picosecond fiber laser. Additionally, soliton is generated in the anomalous dispersion regime when the fiber is pumped by an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) at the pump wavelength of ~3000 nm.

On chip frequency comb: Characterization and optical arbitrary waveform generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferdous, Fahmida

Recently, on-chip comb generation methods based on nonlinear optical modulation in ultrahigh quality factor monolithic micro-resonators have been demonstrated. In these methods, two pump photons are transformed into sideband photons in a four wave mixing process mediated by the Kerr nonlinearity. The essential advantages of these methods are simplicity, small size, very high repetition rates and sometimes CMOS compatibility. We investigate line-by-line pulse shaping of such combs generated in silicon nitride ring resonators. We demonstrate a simple example of optical arbitrary waveform generation (OAWG) from Kerr comb. We observe two distinct paths to comb formation which exhibit strikingly different time domain behaviors. For combs formed as a cascade of sidebands spaced by a single free spectral range (FSR) that spread from the pump, we are able to compress to nearly bandwidth limited pulses. This indicates high coherence across the spectra and provides new data on the high passive stability of the spectral phase. For combs where the initial sidebands are spaced by multiple FSRs which then fill in to give combs with single FSR spacing, the time domain data reveal partially coherent behavior. We also investigate the behaviors of a few sub-families of the partially coherent combs selected by a pulse shaper. We observe different coherence properties for different groups of comb lines. Furthermore we will discuss an ultrafast characterization techniques called dual comb electric eld cross correlation. This linear technique will provide both low optical power and broader bandwidth capability for full time domain characterization of OAWG from Kerr comb.

Dependence of sodium laser guide star photon return on the geomagnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussaoui, N.; Holzlöhner, R.; Hackenberg, W.; Bonaccini Calia, D.

2009-07-01

Aims: The efficiency of optical pumping that increases the backscatter emission of mesospheric sodium atoms in continuous wave (cw) laser guide stars (LGSs) can be significantly reduced and, in the worst case, eliminated by the action of the geomagnetic field. Our goal is to present an estimation of this effect for several telescope sites. Methods: Sodium atoms precess around magnetic field lines that cycle the magnetic quantum number, reducing the effectiveness of optical pumping. Our method is based on calculating the sodium magnetic sublevel populations in the presence of the geomagnetic field and on experimental measurements of radiance return from sodium LGS conducted at the Starfire optical range (SOR). Results: We propose a relatively simple semi-empirical formula for estimating the effect of the geomagnetic field on enhancing the LGSs photon return due to optical pumping with a circularly polarized cw single-frequency laser beam. Starting from the good agreement between our calculations and the experimental measurements for the geomagnetic field effect, and in order to more realistically estimate the sodium LGSs photon return, we introduce the effect of the distance to the mesospheric sodium layer and the atmospheric attenuation. The combined effect of these three factors is calculated for several telescope sites. Conclusions: In calculating the return flux of LGSs, only the best return conditions are often assumed, relying on strong optical pumping with circularly polarized lasers. However, one can only obtain this optimal return along one specific laser orientation on the sky, where the geomagnetic field lines are parallel to the laser beam. For most of the telescopes, the optimum can be obtained at telescope orientations beyond the observation limit. For the telescopes located close to the geomagnetic pole, the benefit of the optical pumping is much more important than for telescopes located close to the geomagnetic equator.

Development of real-time and quantitative monitoring of thrombus formation in an extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakota, Daisuke; Fujiwara, Tatsuki; Ohuchi, Katsuhiro; Kuwana, Katsuyuki; Yamazaki, Hiroyuki; Kosaka, Ryo; Maruyama, Osamu

2018-02-01

We developed an optical detector of thrombus formed on the pivot bearing of an extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump (MERA HCF-MP23; Senko Medical Instrument Mfg. Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) which is frequently used for long-term extracorporeal circulation support to bridge to an implantable artificial heart, which in turn is used for bridge to heart transplantation in Japan. In this study, we investigated the quantitative performance of the thrombus formation in acute animal experiments. A total of three experiments of extracorporeal left ventricular assist using Japanese specific pathogen-free pigs were conducted. The optical fibers were set in the pump driver unit. The incident light at nearinfrared wavelength aiming at the pivot bearing and the resulting scattered light were guided to respective fibers. The detected signal was analyzed to obtain thrombus formation level (TFL) calculated by a specially developed software. When the increase in TFL was confirmed, the pump was exchanged and the extracorporeal circulation was restarted. The number of pump exchanges were four times at each experiment so a total of twelve pumps were evaluated. 3-dimentional data surrounding the pivot bearing and the adhered thrombus was captured by a 3-dimantional surface measurement system to calculate the thrombus surface area (TSA) formed on the pivot bearing. As a result, the correlation coefficient between TFL and TSA was 0.878. The accuracy of TSA estimated by the optical detector was 3.6+/-2.3 mm2. This was small enough to not have the pump exchanged in clinical judgement. The developed detector would be useful for optimal anti-coagulation management.

Compact and efficient CW 473nm blue laser with LBO intracavity frequency doubling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Yan; Wang, Yu; Wang, Yanwei; Zhang, Jing; Yan, Boxia

2016-10-01

With diode end pumped Nd:YAG directly and LBO intracavity frequency doubling, a compact, high efficient continuous wave blue laser at 473nm is realized. When the incident pump power reach 6.2W, 630mW maximum output power of blue laser at 473nm is achieved with 15mm long LBO, the optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is as high as 10.2%.

Laser Diode Pumped Solid State Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

Report N66001-83-C-0071, 17 April 1986, prepared for NOSC. 4.6 W.T. Welford, R. Winston , "The Option of Nonimaging Concentrators ," Academic Press, 1978...by non-imac optics such as reflective or refractive flux concentrators . Simple considerations regarding the optimum pumping configuration, high marks...reduced if the arrays can stand-off from the Nd:YAG laser. As mentioned before, compound parabolic concentrators or refractive optics cat employed to

Laser inhibited diffusion in rhodamine-ethanol solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawandy, N. M.; Fuhr, P. L.; Robinson, D. W.

1981-01-01

The diffusion of rhodamine-6G dye in ethanol is observed to be inhibited by optical pumping by a cadmium laser. The diffusion process is observed as a function of the solution temperature. The relative difference in diffusion coefficients with and without optical pumping is calculated. The effect is interpreted as being due to a stronger solvent-dye interaction in the first excited singlet state of rhodamine-6G.

Investigation of laser induced parametric interactions in optical waveguides and fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, C.

1978-01-01

Experimental and theoretical aspects of the laser pump depletion characteristics in an optical fiber due to stimulated Raman scattering, and stimulated Brillouin scattering were studied. A review is presented of research in fiber transmission accompanied by stimulated scattering. Results of experimental work with tunable dye lasers and argon lasers are presented. The spectral profiles of the laser pump and its transmitted light through the fiber are given.

Effects of chirp of pump pulses on broadband terahertz pulse spectra generated by optical rectification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamazaki, Junichi; Furusawa, Kentaro; Sekine, Norihiko; Kasamatsu, Akifumi; Hosako, Iwao

2016-11-01

The effects of the chirp of the pump pulse in broadband terahertz (THz) pulse generation by optical rectification (OR) in GaP were systematically investigated. It was found that the pre-compensation for the dispersion of GaP is important for obtaining smooth and single-peaked THz spectra as well as high power-conversion efficiency. It was also found that an excessive amount of chirp leads to distortions in THz spectra, which can be quantitatively analyzed by using a simple model. Our results highlight the importance of accurate control over the chirp of the pump pulse for generating broadband THz pulses by OR.

Simultaneous dual-wavelength laser operation at 937 and 1062 nm in Nd3+:Gd3Ga5O12

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, F.; Sun, G. C.; Li, Y. D.; Dong, Y.; Li, S. T.

2013-08-01

Diode-end-pumped continuous-wave (cw) simultaneous dual-wavelength laser operation at 937 and 1062 nm in a single Nd3+:Gd3Ga5O12 (Nd:GGG) crystal was demonstrated. A total output power of 1.12 W at the two fundamental wavelengths was achieved at incident pump power of 17.6 W. The optical-to-optical conversion was up to 6.4% with respect to the incident pump power. To the best of our knowledge, this is first work on cw simultaneous dual-wavelength operation at 937 and 1062 nm in Nd:GGG crystal.

Direct generation of vector vortex beams with switchable radial and azimuthal polarizations in a monolithic Nd:YAG microchip laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Hong-Sen; Chen, Zhen; Dong, Jun

2017-05-01

A hollow focus lens (HFL) has been designed to effectively produce a focused annular beam for high-intensity pumping. By applying the central-dark pump beam, a monolithic Nd:YAG microchip laser without any extra optical elements is demonstrated to generate vector vortex beams with switchable radially polarized (RP) and azimuthally polarized (AP) states by easily controlling the pump power. The order and handedness of the output vortex beam remain stable during the switching of the RP and AP states. The monolithic Nd:YAG microchip laser provides a new laser source for applications such as material processing and optical manipulation.

An Optically Pumped Far-Infrared Folded Mirror-Less Cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chuang; Wang, Dashuai; Zhang, Peng; Qu, Yanchen

2017-12-01

A compact and efficient mirror-less cavity is presented for an optically pumped 192-μm far-infrared laser. With a gold-coated mirror and 30°-inclined anti-reflection coated Ge plate serving as highly reflective mirrors, a folded mirror-less CH3F cavity is achieved. Maximum energy of 0.72 mJ is obtained with the pump energy of 600 mJ, which gives an energy increment of 75% in comparison with the previous 1.85-m mirror-less system. The beam divergence angle of the FIR radiation from this folded mirror-less cavity is measured to be 14.2 mrad.

Numerical investigation of output beam quality in efficient broadband optical parametric chirped pulse amplification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiao-Di; Xu, Lu; Liang, Xiao-Yan

2017-01-01

We theoretically analyzed output beam quality of broad bandwidth non-collinear optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (NOPCPA) in LiB3O5 (LBO) centered at 800 nm. With a three-dimensional numerical model, the influence of the pump intensity, pump and signal spatial modulations, and the walk-off effect on the OPCPA output beam quality are presented, together with conversion efficiency and the gain spectrum. The pump modulation is a dominant factor that affects the output beam quality. Comparatively, the influence of signal modulation is insignificant. For a low-energy system with small beam sizes, walk-off effect has to be considered. Pump modulation and walk-off effect lead to asymmetric output beam profile with increased modulation. A special pump modulation type is found to optimize output beam quality and efficiency. For a high-energy system with large beam sizes, the walk-off effect can be neglected, certain back conversion is beneficial to reduce the output modulation. A trade-off must be made between the output beam quality and the conversion efficiency, especially when the pump modulation is large since. A relatively high conversion efficiency and a low output modulation are both achievable by controlling the pump modulation and intensity.

Excitation of the {sup 229m}Th nuclear isomer via resonance conversion in ionized atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karpeshin, F. F., E-mail: fkarpeshin@gmail.com; Trzhaskovskaya, M. B.

2015-09-15

Pressing problems concerning the optical pumping of the 7.6-eV {sup 229m}Th nuclear isomer, which is a candidate for a new nuclear optical reference point for frequencies, are examined. Physics behind the mechanism of the two-photon optical pumping of the isomer is considered. It is shown that, irrespective of the pumping scheme, a dominant contribution comes, in accord with what was proven earlier for the 3.5-eV isomer, from the resonance 8s–7s transition. Details of an optimum experimental scheme are discussed. It is shown that, after isomer excitation, the atom involved remains with a high probability in an excited state at anmore » energy of about 0.5 eV rather than in the ground state, the required energy of the two photons being equal to the energy of the nuclear level plus the energy of the lowest 7s state of the atom. The estimated pumping time is about 1.5 s in the case where the field strength of each laser is 1 V/cm.« less

Excitation of the 229 m Th nuclear isomer via resonance conversion in ionized atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpeshin, F. F.; Trzhaskovskaya, M. B.

2015-09-01

Pressing problems concerning the optical pumping of the 7.6-eV 229 m Th nuclear isomer, which is a candidate for a new nuclear optical reference point for frequencies, are examined. Physics behind the mechanism of the two-photon optical pumping of the isomer is considered. It is shown that, irrespective of the pumping scheme, a dominant contribution comes, in accord with what was proven earlier for the 3.5-eV isomer, from the resonance 8 s-7 s transition. Details of an optimum experimental scheme are discussed. It is shown that, after isomer excitation, the atom involved remains with a high probability in an excited state at an energy of about 0.5 eV rather than in the ground state, the required energy of the two photons being equal to the energy of the nuclear level plus the energy of the lowest 7 s state of the atom. The estimated pumping time is about 1.5 s in the case where the field strength of each laser is 1 V/cm.

The influence of thermal and free carrier dispersion effects on all-optical wavelength conversion in a silicon racetrack-shaped microring resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhaolu; Liu, Hongjun; Sun, Qibing; Huang, Nan; Li, Shaopeng; Han, Jing

2016-07-01

We experimentally demonstrate ultra-low pump power wavelength conversion based on four-wave mixing in a silicon racetrack-shaped microring resonator. When the pump and signal are located at the resonance wavelengths, wavelength conversion with a pump power of only 1 mW can be realized in this microring resonator because of the resonant enhancement of the device. However, saturation of the conversion efficiency occurs because of the shift of the resonance peak, which is caused by the change of the effective refractive index induced by a combination of thermal and free carrier dispersion effects, and it is demonstrated that the thermal effect is the leading-order factor for the change of the refractive index. The maximum conversion efficiency of  -21 dB is obtained when the pump power is less than 12 mW. This ultra-low-power on-chip wavelength convertor based on a silicon microring resonator can find important potential applications in highly integrated optical circuits for all-optical signal processing.

Comparison on electrically pumped random laser actions of hydrothermal and sputtered ZnO films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Canxing; Jiang, Haotian; Li, Yunpeng

2013-10-07

Random lasing (RL) in polycrystalline ZnO films is an intriguing research subject. Here, we have comparatively investigated electrically pumped RL behaviors of two metal-insulator-semiconductor structured devices using the hydrothermal and sputtered ZnO films as the semiconductor components, i.e., the light-emitting layers, respectively. It is demonstrated that the device using the hydrothermal ZnO film exhibits smaller threshold current and larger output optical power of the electrically pumped RL. The morphological characterization shows that the hydrothermal ZnO film is somewhat porous and is much rougher than the sputtered one, suggesting that in the former stronger multiple light scattering can occur. Moreover, themore » photoluminescence characterization indicates that there are fewer defects in the hydrothermal ZnO film than in the sputtered one, which means that the photons can pick up larger optical gain through stimulated emission in the hydrothermal ZnO film. Therefore, it is believed that the stronger multiple light scattering and larger optical gain contribute to the improved performance of the electrically pumped RL from the device using the hydrothermal ZnO film.« less

Controlling signal transport in a carbon nanotube opto-transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jinjin; Chu, Yanhui; Zhu, Ka-Di

2016-11-01

With the highly competitive development of communication technologies, modern information manufactures place high importance on the ability to control the transmitted signal using easy miniaturization materials. A controlled and miniaturized optical information device is, therefore, vital for researchers in information and communication fields. Here we propose a controlled signal transport in a doubly clamped carbon nanotube system, where the transmitted signal can be controlled by another pump beam. Pump off results in the transmitted signal off, while pump on results in the transmitted signal on. The more pump, the more amplified output signal transmission. Analogous with traditional cavity optomechanical system, the role of optical cavity is played by a localized exciton in carbon nanotube while the role of the mechanical element is played by the nanotube vibrations, which enables the realization of an opto-transistor based on carbon nanotube. Since the signal amplification and attenuation have been observed in traditional optomechanical system, and the nanotube optomechanical system has been realized in laboratory, the proposed carbon nanotube opto-transistor could be implemented in current experiments and open the door to potential applications in modern optical networks and future quantum networks.

Vanadium-pumped titanium x-ray laser

DOEpatents

Nilsen, Joseph

1992-01-01

A resonantly photo-pumped x-ray laser (10) is formed of a vanadium (12) and titanium (14) foil combination (16) that is driven by two beams (18, 20) of intense line focused (22, 24) optical laser radiation. Ground state neon-like titanium ions (34) are resonantly photo-pumped by line emission from fluorine-like vanadium ions (32).

Enhanced broadband near-IR luminescence and gain spectra of bismuth/erbium co-doped fiber by 830 and 980 nm dual pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Qiancheng; Luo, Yanhua; Wang, Wenyu; Canning, John; Peng, Gang-Ding

2017-04-01

A dual 830 and 980 nm pumping scheme is proposed aiming at broadening and flattening the spectral performance of bismuth/erbium codoped multicomponent fiber (BEDF). The spectral properties of distinct Bi active centers (BACs) associated with germanium (BAC-Ge), aluminium (BAC-Al), phosphorus (BAC-P) and silicon (BAC-Si) are characterized under single pumping of 830 and 980 nm, respectively. Based on the emission slope efficiencies of BAC-Al (˜1100 nm) and BAC-Si (˜1430 nm) under single pumping of 830 and 980 nm, the dual pumping scheme with the optimal pump power ratio of 25 (980 nm VS 830 nm) is determined to achieve flat, ultrabroadband luminescence spectra covering the wavelength range 950-1600 nm. The dual pumping scheme is further demonstrated on the on-off gain performance of BEDF. It is found under the pump power ratio of ˜8 (980 VS 830 nm), The gain spectrum has been flattened and broadened over 300 nm (1300-1600 nm) with an average gain coefficient of ˜1.5 dBm-1. The spectral coverage is approximately 1.5 and 3 times wider compared to single pumping of 830 and 980 nm pumping, respectively. The energy level diagrams of 830 and 980 nm are also constructed separately in view of the optical characteristic, which further clarifies the advantage for dual pumping. The proposed dual 830 and 980 nm pumping scheme with the multicomponent BEDF shows great potential in various broadband optical applications such as uniform ASE source, broadband amplifier and tuneable laser in NIR band.

Wideband Electrically-Pumped 1050 nm MEMS-Tunable VCSEL for Ophthalmic Imaging.

PubMed

John, Demis D; Burgner, Christopher B; Potsaid, Benjamin; Robertson, Martin E; Lee, Byung Kun; Choi, Woo Jhon; Cable, Alex E; Fujimoto, James G; Jayaraman, Vijaysekhar

2015-08-15

In this paper, we present a 1050 nm electrically-pumped micro-electro-mechanically-tunable vertical-cavity-surface-emitting-laser (MEMS-VCSEL) with a record dynamic tuning bandwidth of 63.8 nm, suitable for swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging. These devices provide reduced cost & complexity relative to previously demonstrated optically pumped devices by obviating the need for a pump laser and associated hardware. We demonstrate ophthalmic SS-OCT imaging with the electrically-pumped MEMS-VCSEL at a 400 kHz axial scan rate for wide field imaging of the in vivo human retina over a 12 mm × 12 mm field and for OCT angiography of the macula over 6 mm × 6 mm & 3 mm × 3 mm fields to show retinal vasculature and capillary structure near the fovea. These results demonstrate the feasibility of electrically pumped MEMS-VCSELs in ophthalmic instrumentation, the largest clinical application of OCT. In addition, we estimate that the 3 dB coherence length in air is 225 meters ± 51 meters, far greater than required for ophthalmic SS-OCT and suggestive of other distance ranging applications.

Very high repetition-rate electro-optical cavity-dumped Nd: YVO4 laser with optics and dynamics stabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xuesong; Shi, Zhaohui; Huang, Yutao; Fan, Zhongwei; Yu, Jin; Zhang, Jing; Hou, Liqun

2015-02-01

In this paper, a very high repetition-rate, short-pulse, electro-optical cavity-dumped Nd: YVO4 laser is experimentally and theoretically investigated. The laser performance is optimized from two aspects. Firstly, the laser resonator is designed for a good thermal stability under large pump power fluctuation through optics methods. Secondly, dynamics simulation as well as experiments verifies that cavity dumping at very high repetition rate has better stability than medium/high repetition rate. At 30 W, 880 nm pump power, up to 500 kHz, constant 5 ns, stable 1064 nm fundamental-mode laser pulses can be obtained with 10 W average output power.

Multiple visible emissions by means of up-conversion process in a microstructured tellurite glass optical fiber.

PubMed

Boetti, Nadia G; Lousteau, Joris; Negro, Davide; Mura, Emanuele; Scarpignato, Gerardo; Abrate, Silvio; Milanese, Daniel

2012-02-27

We present a microstructured fiber whose 9 µm diameter core consists in three concentric rings made of three active glasses having different rare earth oxide dopants, Yb3+/Er3+, Yb3+/Tm3+ and Yb3+/Pr3+, respectively. Morphological and optical characterization of the optical fiber are presented. The photoluminescence spectrum is investigated for different pumping conditions using a commercial 980 nm laser diode. Tuning of the RGB (or white light) emission is demonstrated not only by adjusting the pump power but also by using an optical iris as spatial filter which, thanks to the microstructured core, also acts as a spectral filter.

High Average Power Laser Gain Medium With Low Optical Distortion Using A Transverse Flowing Liquid Host

DOEpatents

Comaskey, Brian J.; Ault, Earl R.; Kuklo, Thomas C.

2005-07-05

A high average power, low optical distortion laser gain media is based on a flowing liquid media. A diode laser pumping device with tailored irradiance excites the laser active atom, ion or molecule within the liquid media. A laser active component of the liquid media exhibits energy storage times longer than or comparable to the thermal optical response time of the liquid. A circulation system that provides a closed loop for mixing and circulating the lasing liquid into and out of the optical cavity includes a pump, a diffuser, and a heat exchanger. A liquid flow gain cell includes flow straighteners and flow channel compression.

Modulated optical phase conjugation in rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass saturable absorber thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ramesh C.; Waigh, Thomas A.; Singh, Jagdish P.

2008-03-01

The optical phase conjugation signal in nearly nondegenerate four wave mixing was studied using a rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass saturable absorber nonlinear medium. We have demonstrated a narrow band optical filter (2.56±0.15Hz) using an optical phase conjugation signal in the frequency modulation of a weak probe beam in the presence of two strong counterpropagating pump beams in rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass thin films (10-4m). Both the pump beams and the probe beam are at a wavelength of 488nm (continuous-wave Ar+ laser). The probe beam frequency was detuned with a ramp signal using a piezoelectric transducer mirror.

Ultra-broadband infrared pump-probe spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation and a tuneable pump.

PubMed

Carroll, Lee; Friedli, Peter; Lerch, Philippe; Schneider, Jörg; Treyer, Daniel; Hunziker, Stephan; Stutz, Stefan; Sigg, Hans

2011-06-01

Synchrotron infrared sources have become popular mainly because of their excellent broadband brilliance, which enables spectroscopically resolved spatial-mapping of stationary objects at the diffraction limit. In this article we focus on an often-neglected further advantage of such sources - their unique time-structure - to bring such broadband spectroscopy to the time domain, for studying dynamic phenomenon down to the 100 ps limit. We describe the ultra-broadband (12.5 to 1.1 μm) Fourier transform pump-probe setup, for condensed matter transmission- and reflection-spectroscopy, installed at the X01DC infrared beam-line of the Swiss Light Source (SLS). The optical pump consists of a widely tuneable 100 ps 1 kHz laser system, covering 94% of the 16 to 1.1 μm range. A thorough description of the system is given, including (i) the vector-modulator providing purely electronic tuning of the pump-probe overlap up to 1 ms with sub-ps time resolution, (ii) the 500 MHz data acquisition system interfaced with the experimental physics and industrial control system (EPICS) based SLS control system for consecutive pulse sampling, and (iii) the step-scan time-slice Fourier transform scheme for simultaneous recording of the dual-channel pumped, un-pumped, and difference spectra. The typical signal/noise ratio of a single interferogram in a 100 ps time slice is 300 (measured during one single 140 s TopUp period). This signal/noise ratio is comparable to that of existing gated Globar pump-probe Fourier transform spectroscopy, but brings up to four orders of magnitude better time resolution. To showcase the utility of broadband pump-probe spectroscopy, we investigate a Ge-on-Si material system similar to that in which optically pumped direct-gap lasing was recently reported. We show that the mid-infrared reflection-spectra can be used to determine the optically injected carrier density, while the mid- and near-infrared transmission-spectra can be used to separate the strong pump-induced absorption and inversion processes present at the direct-gap energy. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Polarized Helium to Image the Lung

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leduc, Michèle; Nacher, Pierre Jean

2005-05-01

The main findings of the european PHIL project (Polarised Helium to Image the Lung) are reported. State of the art optical pumping techniques for polarising 3He gas are described. MRI methodological improvements allow dynamical ventilation images with a good resolution, ultimately limited by gas diffusion. Diffusion imaging appears as a robust method of lung diagnosis. A discussion of the potential advantage of low field MRI is presented. Selected PHIL results for emphysema are given, with the perspectives that this joint work opens up for the future of respiratory medicine.

Compact, high energy gas laser

DOEpatents

Rockwood, Stephen D.; Stapleton, Robert E.; Stratton, Thomas F.

1976-08-03

An electrically pumped gas laser amplifier unit having a disc-like configuration in which light propagation is radially outward from the axis rather than along the axis. The input optical energy is distributed over a much smaller area than the output optical energy, i.e., the amplified beam, while still preserving the simplicity of parallel electrodes for pumping the laser medium. The system may thus be driven by a comparatively low optical energy input, while at the same time, owing to the large output area, large energies may be extracted while maintaining the energy per unit area below the threshold of gas breakdown.

Integrated optical gyroscope using active Long-range surface plasmon-polariton waveguide resonator

PubMed Central

Zhang, Tong; Qian, Guang; Wang, Yang-Yang; Xue, Xiao-Jun; Shan, Feng; Li, Ruo-Zhou; Wu, Jing-Yuan; Zhang, Xiao-Yang

2014-01-01

Optical gyroscopes with high sensitivity are important rotation sensors for inertial navigation systems. Here, we present the concept of integrated resonant optical gyroscope constructed by active long-range surface plasmon-polariton (LRSPP) waveguide resonator. In this gyroscope, LRSPP waveguide doped gain medium is pumped to compensate the propagation loss, which has lower pump noise than that of conventional optical waveguide. Peculiar properties of single-polarization of LRSPP waveguide have been found to significantly reduce the polarization error. The metal layer of LRSPP waveguide is electro-optical multiplexed for suppression of reciprocal noises. It shows a limited sensitivity of ~10−4 deg/h, and a maximum zero drift which is 4 orders of magnitude lower than that constructed by conventional single-mode waveguide. PMID:24458281

Thermo-optical dynamics in an optically pumped Photonic Crystal nano-cavity.

PubMed

Brunstein, M; Braive, R; Hostein, R; Beveratos, A; Rober-Philip, I; Sagnes, I; Karle, T J; Yacomotti, A M; Levenson, J A; Moreau, V; Tessier, G; De Wilde, Y

2009-09-14

Linear and non-linear thermo-optical dynamical regimes were investigated in a photonic crystal cavity. First, we have measured the thermal relaxation time in an InP-based nano-cavity with quantum dots in the presence of optical pumping. The experimental method presented here allows one to obtain the dynamics of temperature in a nanocavity based on reflectivity measurements of a cw probe beam coupled through an adiabatically tapered fiber. Characteristic times of 1.0+/-0.2 micros and 0.9+/-0.2 micros for the heating and the cooling processes were obtained. Finally, thermal dynamics were also investigated in a thermo-optical bistable regime. Switch-on/off times of 2 micros and 4 micros respectively were measured, which could be explained in terms of a simple non-linear dynamical representation.

Erbium-doped phosphate glass waveguide on silicon with 4.1 dB/cm gain at 1.535 µm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Y. C.; Faber, A. J.; de Waal, H.; Kik, P. G.; Polman, A.

1997-11-01

Erbium-doped multicomponent phosphate glass waveguides were deposited by rf sputtering techniques. The Er concentration was 5.3×1020cm-3. By pumping the waveguide at 980 nm with a power of ˜21 mW, a net optical gain of 4.1 dB at 1.535 μm was achieved. This high gain per unit length at low pump power could be achieved because the Er-Er cooperative upconversion interactions in this heavily Er-doped phosphate glass are very weak [the upconversion coefficient is (2.0±0.5)×10-18 cm3/s], presumably due to the homogeneous distribution of Er in the glass and due to the high optical mode confinement in the waveguide which leads to high pump power density at low pump power.

Generation of high-order Hermite-Gaussian modes in end-pumped solid-state lasers for square vortex array laser beam generation.

PubMed

Chu, Shu-Chun; Chen, Yun-Ting; Tsai, Ko-Fan; Otsuka, Kenju

2012-03-26

This study reports the first systematic approach to the excitation of all high-order Hermite-Gaussian modes (HGMs) in end-pumped solid-state lasers. This study uses a metal-wire-inserted laser resonator accompanied with the "off axis pumping" approach. This study presents numerical analysis of the excitation of HGMs in end-pumped solid-state lasers and experimentally generated HGM patterns. This study also experimentally demonstrates the generation of an square vortex array laser beams by passing specific high-order HGMs (HGn,n + 1 or HGn + 1,n modes) through a Dove prism-embedded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer [Optics Express 16, 19934-19949]. The resulting square vortex array laser beams with embedded vortexes aligned in a square array can be applied to multi-spot dark optical traps in the future.

Stably accessing octave-spanning microresonator frequency combs in the soliton regime.

PubMed

Li, Qing; Briles, Travis C; Westly, Daron A; Drake, Tara E; Stone, Jordan R; Ilic, B Robert; Diddams, Scott A; Papp, Scott B; Srinivasan, Kartik

2017-02-01

Microresonator frequency combs can be an enabling technology for optical frequency synthesis and timekeeping in low size, weight, and power architectures. Such systems require comb operation in low-noise, phase-coherent states such as solitons, with broad spectral bandwidths (e.g., octave-spanning) for self-referencing to detect the carrier-envelope offset frequency. However, accessing such states is complicated by thermo-optic dispersion. For example, in the Si 3 N 4 platform, precisely dispersion-engineered structures can support broadband operation, but microsecond thermal time constants often require fast pump power or frequency control to stabilize the solitons. In contrast, here we consider how broadband soliton states can be accessed with simple pump laser frequency tuning, at a rate much slower than the thermal dynamics. We demonstrate octave-spanning soliton frequency combs in Si 3 N 4 microresonators, including the generation of a multi-soliton state with a pump power near 40 mW and a single-soliton state with a pump power near 120 mW. We also develop a simplified two-step analysis to explain how these states are accessed without fast control of the pump laser, and outline the required thermal properties for such operation. Our model agrees with experimental results as well as numerical simulations based on a Lugiato-Lefever equation that incorporates thermo-optic dispersion. Moreover, it also explains an experimental observation that a member of an adjacent mode family on the red-detuned side of the pump mode can mitigate the thermal requirements for accessing soliton states.

Power scaling of diode-pumped neodymium yttrium aluminum borate laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemmati, Hamid

1991-01-01

Preliminary results are presented of the efficient diode-pumped operation of a neodymium yttrium aluminum borate (NYAB) laser at 531.5 nm using two 1-W diode-laser arrays for the pump. With 1380 mW of CW power incident on the crystal, as much as 51 mW of 532.5-nm laser radiation was obtained with the unoptimized cavity. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 3.7 percent. A plot of the output 531.5 nm vs incident 807 nm pump power is shown. The crystal output power was critically dependent on the rotational and translational adjustment of the NYAB crystal inside the cavity. It is suggested that a crystal cut at the exact phase matching angle, placed in a cavity with proper optimal reflection and transmission mirror coatings, and pumped at proper wavelength can result in higher output power. Thus, the NYAB output power approaches that of a CW intracavity frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser.

Investigative study of a diode-pumped continuous-wave Tm:YAP laser as an efficient 1.94 μm pump source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwiatkowski, Jacek; Zendzian, Waldemar; Jabczynski, Jan K.

2016-12-01

A detailed study of a Tm:YAP laser in continuous-wave (CW), single-pass end-pumped by a 793 nm diode laser is presented. The laser based on c-cut 3 at. % Tm:YAP crystal was experimentally examined and presented in the dependence on transmittance and radius of curvature of output coupling mirrors. A detailed spectral analysis was presented. The influence of a heat-sink cooling water temperature on the laser performance was studied. At room temperature, for an output coupling transmission of 19.5%, the maximum CW output power of 4.53 W was achieved, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 41.5% and an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 25.7% with respect to the incident pump power, respectively. We have shown that the output spectrum at a certain wavelength (e.g. 1940 nm) for a given pump power can be realized via the change of resonator parameters (OC transmittance, mode size).

Characteristics of optical parametric oscillator synchronously pumped by Yb:KGW laser and based on periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vengelis, Julius; Tumas, Adomas; Pipinytė, Ieva; Kuliešaitė, Miglė; Tamulienė, Viktorija; Jarutis, Vygandas; Grigonis, Rimantas; Sirutkaitis, Valdas

2018-03-01

We present experimental data and numerical simulation results obtained during investigation of synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator (SPOPO) pumped by femtosecond Yb:KGW laser (central wavelength at 1033 nm). The nonlinear medium for parametric generation was periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate crystal (PPKTP). Maximum parametric light conversion efficiency from pump power to signal power was more than 37.5% at λs=1530 nm wavelength, whereas the achieved signal wave continuous tuning range was from 1470 nm to 1970 nm with signal pulse durations ranging from 91 fs to roughly 280 fs. We demonstrated wavelength tuning by changing cavity length and PPKTP crystal grating period and also discussed net cavity group delay dispersion (GDD) influence on SPOPO output radiation characteristics. The achieved high pump to signal conversion efficiency and easy wavelength tuning make this device a very promising alternative to Ti:sapphire based SPOPOs as a source of continuously tunable femtosecond laser radiation in the near and mid-IR range.

Effects of surface nanostructuring and impurity doping on ultrafast carrier dynamics of silicon photovoltaic cells: a pump-probe study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tianyu; Nam, Yoon-Ho; Wang, Xinke; Han, Peng; Sun, Wenfeng; Feng, Shengfei; Ye, Jiasheng; Song, Jae-Won; Lee, Jung-Ho; Zhang, Chao; Zhang, Yan

2018-01-01

We present femtosecond optical pump-terahertz probe studies on the ultrafast dynamical processes of photo-generated charge carriers in silicon photovoltaic cells with various nanostructured surfaces and doping densities. The pump-probe measurements provide direct insight on the lifetime of photo-generated carriers, frequency-dependent complex dielectric response along with photoconductivity of silicon photovoltaic cells excited by optical pump pulses. A lifetime of photo-generated carriers of tens of nanosecond is identified from the time-dependent pump-induced attenuation of the terahertz transmission. In addition, we find a large value of the imaginary part of the dielectric function and of the real part of the photoconductivity in silicon photovoltaic cells with micron length nanowires. We attribute these findings to the result of defect-enhanced electron-photon interactions. Moreover, doping densities of phosphorous impurities in silicon photovoltaic cells are also quantified using the Drude-Smith model with our measured frequency-dependent complex photoconductivities.

Direct solar pumping of semiconductor lasers: A feasibility study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Neal G.

1991-01-01

The primary goals of the feasibility study are the following: (1) to provide a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of pumping semiconductor lasers in space directly focused sunlight; and (2) to identify semiconductor laser structures expected to operate at the lowest possible focusing intensities. It should be emphasized that the structures under consideration would provide direct optical-to-optical conversion of sunlight into laser light in a single crystal, in contrast to a configuration consisting of a solar cell or battery electrically pumping a current injection laser. With external modulation, such lasers may prove to be efficient sources for intersatellite communications. We proposed to develop a theoretical model of semiconductor quantum-well lasers photopumped by a broadband source, test it against existing experimental data where possible, and apply it to estimating solar pumping requirements and identifying optimum structures for operation for operation at low pump intensities. This report outlines our progress toward these goals. Discussion of several technical details are left to the attached summary abstract.

Laser diode side-pumped Nd:YVO4 microchip laser with film-etched microcavity mirrors.

PubMed

Li, Jiyang; Niu, Yanxiong; Chen, Sanbin; Tan, Yidong

2017-10-01

Microchip lasers are applied as the light sources on various occasions with the end-pumping scheme. However, the vibration, the temperature drift, or the mechanical deformation of the pumping light in laser diodes in the end-pumping scheme will lead to instability in the microchip laser output, which causes errors and malfunctioning in the optic systems. In this paper, the side-pumping scheme is applied for improving the disturbance-resisting ability of the microchip laser. The transverse mode and the frequency purity of the laser output are tested. To ensure unicity in the frequency of the laser output, numerical simulations based on Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction theory are conducted on the parameters of the microchip laser cavity. Film-etching technique is applied to restrain the area of the film and form the microcavity mirrors. The laser output with microcavity mirrors is ensured to be in single frequency and with good beam quality, which is significant in the applications of microchip lasers as the light sources in optical systems.

Efficient pump module coupling >1kW from a compact detachable fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dogan, M.; Chin, R. H.; Fulghum, S.; Jacob, J. H.; Chin, A. K.

2018-02-01

In the most developed fiber amplifiers, optical pump power is introduced into the 400μm-diameter, 0.46NA first cladding of the double-clad, Yb-doped, gain fiber, using a (6+1):1 multi-mode fiber combiner. For this configuration, the core diameter and numerical aperture of the pump delivery fibers have maximum values of 225μm and 0.22, respectively. This paper presents the first fiber-coupled laser-diode pump module emitting more than 1kW of claddingmode- stripped power from a detachable 225μm, 0.22NA delivery fiber at 976nm. The electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiency at 1kW is 50%. The FWHM spectral width at 1kW output is 4nm and has an excellent overlap with the narrow absorption spectrum of ytterbium in glass. Six of these pump modules attached to a (6+1):1 multimode combiner enable a 5-6kW, single-mode, Yb-doped fiber amplifier.

High-efficiency ytterbium-free erbium-doped all-glass double cladding silicate glass fiber for resonantly-pumped fiber lasers.

PubMed

Qiang, Zexuan; Geng, Jihong; Luo, Tao; Zhang, Jun; Jiang, Shibin

2014-02-01

A highly efficient ytterbium-free erbium-doped silicate glass fiber has been developed for high-power fiber laser applications at an eye-safe wavelength near 1.55 μm. Our preliminary experiments show that high laser efficiency can be obtained from a relatively short length of the gain fiber when resonantly pumped at 1535 nm in both core- and cladding-pumping configurations. With a core-pumping configuration as high as 75%, optical-to-optical efficiency and 4 W output power were obtained at 1560 nm from a 1 m long gain fiber. When using a cladding-pumping configuration, approximately 13 W output power with 67.7% slope efficiency was demonstrated from a piece of 2 m long fiber. The lengths of silicate-based gain fiber are much shorter than their silica-based counterparts used in other experiments, which is significantly important for high-power narrow-band and/or pulsed laser applications.

Initial conceptual design study of self-critical nuclear pumped laser systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rodgers, R. J.

1979-01-01

An analytical study of self-critical nuclear pumped laser system concepts was performed. Primary emphasis was placed on reactor concepts employing gaseous uranium hexafluoride (UF6) as the fissionable material. Relationships were developed between the key reactor design parameters including reactor power level, critical mass, neutron flux level, reactor size, operating pressure, and UF6 optical properties. The results were used to select a reference conceptual laser system configuration. In the reference configuration, the 3.2 m cubed lasing volume is surrounded by a graphite internal moderator and a region of heavy water. Results of neutronics calculations yield a critical mass of 4.9 U(235) in the form (235)UF6. The configuration appears capable of operating in a continuous steady-state mode. The average gas temperature in the core is 600 K and the UF6 partial pressure within the lasing volume is 0.34 atm.

All-solid-state single longitudinal mode MOPA laser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiang; Gu, Haidong; Hu, Wenhua; Ren, Shilong

2018-03-01

Side diode pumped electro-optical Q Switching Nd: YAG is demonstrated as master oscillator. F-P etalon and twisted-mode cavity combined configuration is introduced to select longitudinal modes. The seed light experiences a round trip through the two flash pump amplifiers, in this device, the 4f image transmission system and SBS phase conjugate mirror is adopted in order to improved beam quality, by compensating the heat depolarization effect and eliminate wave-front distortion. In the condition of 1 or 5 repetitions of the wavelength at 1064nm, it produces the pulse energy of 300mJ, pulse width of 12ns, and energy instability (RMS) below 3% in single longitudinal mode operation. With a type two-phase matched KTP crystal, 532nm green light is yielded, at 1 Hz repetition rate, the pulse energy of green light is more than 150mJ.

Lif and Raman Spectroscopy in Undergraduate Labs Using Green Diode-Pumped Solid-State Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, Jeffrey A.

2015-06-01

Electronic spectroscopy of molecular iodine vapor has long been studied in undergraduate physical chemistry teaching laboratories, but the effectiveness of emission work has typically been limited by availability of instrumentation. This talk shows how to make inexpensive green diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers easily tunable for efficient, selective excitation of I2. Miniature fiber-optic spectrometers then enable rotationally resolved fluorescence spectroscopy up to v" = 42 near 900 nm with acquisition times of less than one minute. DPSS lasers are also versatile excitation sources for vibrational Raman spectroscopy, which is another common exercise that has been limited by lack of proper instrumentation in the teaching laboratory. This talk shows how to construct a simple accessory for commercial fluorimeters to record vibrational Raman spectra and depolarization ratios for CCl4 and C2Cl4 as part of a lab exercise featuring molecular symmetry.

Femtosecond study of A1g phonons in the strong 3D topological insulators: From pump-probe to coherent control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jianbo; Igarashi, Kyushiro; Sasagawa, Takao; Nakamura, Kazutaka G.; Misochko, Oleg V.

2018-01-01

Fully symmetric A1g phonons are expected to play a dominant role in electron scattering in strong topological insulators (TIs), thus limiting the ballistic transport of future electronic devices. Here, we report on femtosecond time-resolved observation of a pair of A1g coherent phonons and their optical control in two strong 3D TIs, Bi2Te3 and Bi2Se3, by using a second pump pulse in ultrafast spectroscopy measurements. Along with well-defined phonon properties such as frequency and lifetime, an obvious phonon chirp has been observed, implying a strong coupling between photo-carriers and lattices. The coherent phonon manipulation, on the other hand, allows us to change the phonon amplitude selectively but does not affect either the frequency or coherence lifetime of the chosen mode.

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators on their way to the terahertz range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sowade, Rosita; Breunig, Ingo; Kiessling, Jens; Buse, Karsten

2010-02-01

Continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are known to be working horses for spectroscopy in the near- and mid-infrared. However, strong absorption in nonlinear media like lithium niobate complicates the generation of far-infrared light. This absorption leads to pump thresholds vastly exceeding the power of standard pump lasers. Our first approach was, therefore, to combine the established technique of photomixing with optical parametric oscillators. Here, two OPOs provide one wave each, with a tunable difference frequency. These waves are combined to a beat signal as a source for photomixers. Terahertz radiation between 0.065 and 1.018 THz is generated with powers in the order of nanowatts. To overcome the upper frequency limit of the opto-electronic photomixers, terahertz generation has to rely entirely on optical methods. Our all-optical approach, getting around the high thresholds for terahertz generation, is based on cascaded nonlinear processes: the resonantly enhanced signal field, generated in the primary parametric process, is intense enough to act as the pump for a secondary process, creating idler waves with frequencies in the terahertz regime. The latter ones are monochromatic and tunable with detected powers of more than 2 μW at 1.35 THz. Thus, continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators have entered the field of terahertz photonics.

Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) and a ``Twist'' on Nonlinear Magneto-optical Rotation (NMOR) with Cold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunz, Paul; Meyer, David; Quraishi, Qudsia

2015-05-01

Within the class of nonlinear optical effects that exhibit sub-natural linewidth features, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation (NMOR) stand out as having made dramatic impacts on various applications including atomic clocks, magnetometry, and single photon storage. A related effect, known as electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA), has received less attention in the literature. Here, we report on the first observation of EIA in cold atoms using the Hanle configuration, where a single laser beam is used to both pump and probe the atoms while sweeping a magnetic field through zero along the beam direction. We find that, associated with the EIA peak, a ``twist'' appears in the corresponding NMOR signal. A similar twist has been previously noted by Budker et al., in the context of warm vapor optical magnetometry, and was ascribed to optical pumping through nearby hyperfine levels. By studying this feature through numerical simulations and cold atom experiments, thus rendering the hyperfine levels well resolved, we enhance the understanding of the optical pumping mechanism behind it, and elucidate its relation to EIA. Finally, we demonstrate a useful application of these studies through a simple and rapid method for nulling background magnetic fields within our atom chip apparatus.

Spatio-temporal Theory of Lasing Action in Optically-Pumped Rotationally Excited Molecular Gases

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-11

17. A. E. Siegman , Lasers (Univ. Science Books, 1986). 18. R. Bansal (ed.), Handbook of Engineering Electromagnetics (Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2004). 19... laser emission from optically-pumped rota- tionally excited molecular gases confined in a metallic cavity. To this end, we have developed a...the operation of this class of lasers . The effect on the main lasing features of the spatial variation of the electric field intensity and the ohmic

Nonlinear Optical Studies of the Optical and Electronic Properties of Semiconductor Heterostructures

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-05-14

then the linewidth is determined Note added in proof Since this paper was first submit- by the relaxation rates of states 1 and 2 as shown in Fig. ted ...DETUNING U) (C) " (d)z 100 KHz z 0 -40 -20 0 20 40 FORWARD PUMP-PROBE DETUNING 00 c~cJ LL Wun -jV) 4!sujul ~u0) (a) 5 GHZ 6- C 0() CI 0 Backward Pump

Advanced Optical Fibers for High power Fiber lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-24

crystal fiber cladding . Advanced Optical Fibers for High Power Fiber Lasers http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58958 223 lengths above the second-order mode cut...brightness multimode diode lasers for a given pump waveguide dimen‐ sion. In conventional double- clad fibers, low-index polymer coatings are typically used to...was below 0.2. The fiber was passive and there was no laser demonstration in this first attempt. The first cladding - pumping demonstration in an

Continuous all-optical deceleration of molecular beams and demonstration with Rb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Xueping; Jayich, Andrew; Campbell, Wesley

2017-04-01

Ultracold samples of molecules are desirable for a variety of applications, such as many-body physics, precision measurement and quantum information science. However, the pursuit of ultracold molecules has achieved limited success: spontaneous emission into many different dark states makes it hard to optically decelerate molecules to trappable speed. We propose to address this problem with a general optical deceleration technique that exploits a pump-dump pulse pair from a mode-locked laser. A molecular beam is first excited by a counter-propagating ``pump'' pulse. The molecular beam is then driven back to the initial ground state by a co-propagating ``dump'' pulse via stimulated emission. The delay between the pump and dump pulse is set to be shorter than the excited state lifetimes in order to limit decays to dark states. We report progress benchmarking this stimulated force by accelerating a cold sample of neutral Rb atoms.

Nuclear magnetic resonance of laser-polarized noble gases in molecules, materials and organisms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goodson, Boyd McLean

1999-12-01

Conventional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are fundamentally challenged by the insensitivity that stems from the ordinarily low spin polarization achievable in even the strongest NMR magnets. However, by transferring angular momentum from laser light to electronic and nuclear spins, optical pumping methods can increase the nuclear spin polarization of noble gases by several orders of magnitude, thereby greatly enhancing their NMR sensitivity. This dissertation is primarily concerned with the principles and practice of optically pumped nuclear magnetic resonance (OPNMR). The enormous sensitivity enhancement afforded by optical pumping noble gases can be exploited to permitmore » a variety of novel NMR experiments across many disciplines. Many such experiments are reviewed, including the void-space imaging of organisms and materials, NMR and MRI of living tissues, probing structure and dynamics of molecules in solution and on surfaces, and zero-field NMR and MRI.« less

Power- or frequency-driven hysteresis for continuous-wave optically injected distributed-feedback semiconductor lasers.

PubMed

Blin, Stéphane; Vaudel, Olivier; Besnard, Pascal; Gabet, Renaud

2009-05-25

Bistabilities between a steady (or pulsating, chaotic) and different pulsating regimes are investigated for an optically injected semi-conductor laser. Both numerical and experimental studies are reported for continuous-wave single-mode semiconductor distributed-feedback lasers emitting at 1.55 microm. Hysteresis are driven by either changing the optically injected power or the frequency difference between both lasers. The effect of the injected laser pumping rate is also examined. Systematic mappings of the possible laser outputs (injection locking, bimodal, wave mixing, chaos or relaxation oscillations) are carried out. At small pumping rates (1.2 times threshold), only locking and bimodal regimes are observed. The extent of the bistable area is either 11 dB or 35 GHz, depending on the varying parameters. At high pumping rates (4 times threshold), numerous injection regimes are observed. Injection locking and its bistabilities are also reported for secondary longitudinal modes.

Time-reversal symmetry breaking with acoustic pumping of nanophotonic circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohn, Donggyu B.; Kim, Seunghwi; Bahl, Gaurav

2018-02-01

Achieving non-reciprocal light propagation via stimuli that break time-reversal symmetry, without magneto-optics, remains a major challenge for integrated nanophotonic devices. Recently, optomechanical microsystems in which light and vibrational modes are coupled through ponderomotive forces have demonstrated strong non-reciprocal effects through a variety of techniques, but always using optical pumping. None of these approaches has demonstrated bandwidth exceeding that of the mechanical system, and all of them require optical power; these are both fundamental and practical issues. Here, we resolve both challenges by breaking time-reversal symmetry using a two-dimensional acoustic pump that simultaneously provides a non-zero overlap integral for light-sound interaction and also satisfies the necessary phase-matching. We use this technique to produce a non-reciprocal modulator (a frequency shifting isolator) by means of indirect interband scattering. We demonstrate mode conversion asymmetry up to 15 dB and efficiency as high as 17% over a bandwidth exceeding 1 GHz.

Room temperature three-photon pumped CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microlasers.

PubMed

Gao, Yisheng; Wang, Shuai; Huang, Can; Yi, Ningbo; Wang, Kaiyang; Xiao, Shumin; Song, Qinghai

2017-03-28

Hybrid lead halide perovskites have made great strides in next-generation light-harvesting and light emitting devices. Recently, they have also shown great potentials in nonlinear optical materials. Two-photon absorption and two-photon light emission have been thoroughly studied in past two years. However, the three-photon processes are rarely explored, especially for the laser emissions. Here we synthesized high quality CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 perovskite microstructures with solution processed precipitation method and studied their optical properties. When the microstructures are pumped with intense 1240 nm lasers, we have observed clear optical limit effect and the band-to-band photoluminescence at 540 nm. By increasing the pumping density, whispering-gallery-mode based microlasers have been achieved from CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 perovskite microplate and microrod for the first time. This work demonstrates the potentials of hybrid lead halide perovskites in nonlinear photonic devices.

Room temperature three-photon pumped CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microlasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yisheng; Wang, Shuai; Huang, Can; Yi, Ningbo; Wang, Kaiyang; Xiao, Shumin; Song, Qinghai

2017-03-01

Hybrid lead halide perovskites have made great strides in next-generation light-harvesting and light emitting devices. Recently, they have also shown great potentials in nonlinear optical materials. Two-photon absorption and two-photon light emission have been thoroughly studied in past two years. However, the three-photon processes are rarely explored, especially for the laser emissions. Here we synthesized high quality CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microstructures with solution processed precipitation method and studied their optical properties. When the microstructures are pumped with intense 1240 nm lasers, we have observed clear optical limit effect and the band-to-band photoluminescence at 540 nm. By increasing the pumping density, whispering-gallery-mode based microlasers have been achieved from CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microplate and microrod for the first time. This work demonstrates the potentials of hybrid lead halide perovskites in nonlinear photonic devices.

Elimination of the light shift in rubidium gas cell frequency standards using pulsed optical pumping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

English, T. C.; Jechart, E.; Kwon, T. M.

1978-01-01

Changes in the intensity of the light source in an optically pumped, rubidium, gas cell frequency standard can produce corresponding frequency shifts, with possible adverse effects on the long-term frequency stability. A pulsed optical pumping apparatus was constructed with the intent of investigating the frequency stability in the absence of light shifts. Contrary to original expectations, a small residual frequency shift due to changes in light intensity was experimentally observed. Evidence is given which indicates that this is not a true light-shift effect. Preliminary measurements of the frequency stability of this apparatus, with this small residual pseudo light shift present, are presented. It is shown that this pseudo light shift can be eliminated by using a more homogeneous C-field. This is consistent with the idea that the pseudo light shift is due to inhomogeneity in the physics package (position-shift effect).

Topological photonic orbital-angular-momentum switch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Xi-Wang; Zhang, Chuanwei; Guo, Guang-Can; Zhou, Zheng-Wei

2018-04-01

The large number of available orbital-angular-momentum (OAM) states of photons provides a unique resource for many important applications in quantum information and optical communications. However, conventional OAM switching devices usually rely on precise parameter control and are limited by slow switching rate and low efficiency. Here we propose a robust, fast, and efficient photonic OAM switch device based on a topological process, where photons are adiabatically pumped to a target OAM state on demand. Such topological OAM pumping can be realized through manipulating photons in a few degenerate main cavities and involves only a limited number of optical elements. A large change of OAM at ˜10q can be realized with only q degenerate main cavities and at most 5 q pumping cycles. The topological photonic OAM switch may become a powerful device for broad applications in many different fields and motivate a topological design of conventional optical devices.

User oriented end-station on VUV pump-probe magneto-optical ellipsometry at ELI beamlines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espinoza, Shirly; Neuber, Gerd; Brooks, Christopher D.; Besner, Bastian; Hashemi, Maryam; Rübhausen, Michael; Andreasson, Jakob

2017-11-01

A state of the art ellipsometer for user operations is being implemented at ELI Beamlines in Prague, Czech Republic. It combines three of the most promising and exotic forms of ellipsometry: VUV, pump-probe and magneto-optical ellipsometry. This new ellipsometer covers a spectral operational range from the NIR up to the VUV, with high through-put between 1 and 40 eV. The ellipsometer also allows measurements of magneto-optical spectra with a 1 kHz switchable magnetic field of up to 1.5 T across the sample combining ellipsometry and Kerr spectroscopy measurements in an unprecedented spectral range. This form of generalized ellipsometry enables users to address diagonal and off-diagonal components of the dielectric tensor within one measurement. Pump-probe measurements enable users to study the dynamic behaviour of the dielectric tensor in order to resolve the time-domain phenomena in the femto to 100 ns range.

Multiple source/multiple target fluid transfer apparatus

DOEpatents

Turner, Terry D.

1997-01-01

A fluid transfer apparatus includes: a) a plurality of orifices for connection with fluid sources; b) a plurality of orifices for connection with fluid targets; c) a set of fluid source conduits and fluid target conduits associated with the orifices; d) a pump fluidically interposed between the source and target conduits to transfer fluid therebetween; e) a purge gas conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump to receive and pass a purge gas under pressure; f) a solvent conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump to receive and pass solvent, the solvent conduit including a solvent valve; g) pump control means for controlling operation of the pump; h) purge gas valve control means for controlling operation of the purge gas valve to selectively impart flow of purge gas to the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump; i) solvent valve control means for controlling operation of the solvent valve to selectively impart flow of solvent to the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump; and j) source and target valve control means for controlling operation of the fluid source conduit valves and the fluid target conduit valves to selectively impart passage of fluid between a selected one of the fluid source conduits and a selected one of the fluid target conduits through the pump and to enable passage of solvent or purge gas through selected fluid source conduits and selected fluid target conduits.

Multiple source/multiple target fluid transfer apparatus

DOEpatents

Turner, T.D.

1997-08-26

A fluid transfer apparatus includes: (a) a plurality of orifices for connection with fluid sources; (b) a plurality of orifices for connection with fluid targets; (c) a set of fluid source conduits and fluid target conduits associated with the orifices; (d) a pump fluidically interposed between the source and target conduits to transfer fluid there between; (e) a purge gas conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump to receive and pass a purge gas under pressure; (f) a solvent conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump to receive and pass solvent, the solvent conduit including a solvent valve; (g) pump control means for controlling operation of the pump; (h) purge gas valve control means for controlling operation of the purge gas valve to selectively impart flow of purge gas to the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump; (i) solvent valve control means for controlling operation of the solvent valve to selectively impart flow of solvent to the fluid source conduits, fluid target conduits and pump; and (j) source and target valve control means for controlling operation of the fluid source conduit valves and the fluid target conduit valves to selectively impart passage of fluid between a selected one of the fluid source conduits and a selected one of the fluid target conduits through the pump and to enable passage of solvent or purge gas through selected fluid source conduits and selected fluid target conduits. 6 figs.

Pulse-Shaping-Based Nonlinear Microscopy: Development and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flynn, Daniel Christopher

The combination of optical microscopy and ultrafast spectroscopy make the spatial characterization of chemical kinetics on the femtosecond time scale possible. Commercially available octave-spanning Ti:Sapphire oscillators with sub-8 fs pulse durations can drive a multitude of nonlinear transitions across a significant portion of the visible spectrum with minimal average power. Unfortunately, dispersion from microscope objectives broadens pulse durations, decreases temporal resolution and lowers the peak intensities required for driving nonlinear transitions. In this dissertation, pulse shaping is used to compress laser pulses after the microscope objective. By using a binary genetic algorithm, pulse-shapes are designed to enable selective two-photon excitation. The pulse-shapes are demonstrated in two-photon fluorescence of live COS-7 cells expressing GFP-variants mAmetrine and tdTomato. The pulse-shaping approach is applied to a new multiphoton fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) stoichiometry method that quantifies donor and acceptor molecules in complex, as well as the ratio of total donor to acceptor molecules. Compared to conventional multi-photon imaging techniques that require laser tuning or multiple laser systems to selectively excite individual fluorophores, the pulse-shaping approach offers rapid selective multifluorphore imaging at biologically relevant time scales. By splitting the laser beam into two beams and building a second pulse shaper, a pulse-shaping-based pump-probe microscope is developed. The technique offers multiple imaging modalities, such as excited state absorption (ESA), ground state bleach (GSB), and stimulated emission (SE), enhancing contrast of structures via their unique quantum pathways without the addition of contrast agents. Pulse-shaping based pump-probe microscopy is demonstrated for endogenous chemical-contrast imaging of red blood cells. In the second section of this dissertation, ultrafast spectroscopic techniques are used to characterize structure-function relationships of two-photon absorbing GFP-type probes and optical limiting materials. Fluorescence lifetimes of GFP-type probes are shown to depend on functional group substitution position, therefore, enabling the synthesis of designer probes for the possible study of conformation changes and aggregation in biological systems. Similarly, it is determined that small differences in the structure and dimensionality of organometallic macrocycles result in a diverse set of optical properties, which serves as a basis for the molecular level design of nonlinear optical materials.

Probing coherence in microcavity frequency combs via optical pulse shaping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferdous, Fahmida; Miao, Houxun; Wang, Pei-Hsun; Leaird, Daniel E.; Srinivasan, Kartik; Chen, Lei; Aksyuk, Vladimir; Weiner, Andrew M.

2012-09-01

Recent investigations of microcavity frequency combs based on cascaded four-wave mixing have revealed a link between the evolution of the optical spectrum and the observed temporal coherence. Here we study a silicon nitride microresonator for which the initial four-wave mixing sidebands are spaced by multiple free spectral ranges (FSRs) from the pump, then fill in to yield a comb with single FSR spacing, resulting in partial coherence. By using a pulse shaper to select and manipulate the phase of various subsets of spectral lines, we are able to probe the structure of the coherence within the partially coherent comb. Our data demonstrate strong variation in the degree of mutual coherence between different groups of lines and provide support for a simple model of partially coherent comb formation.

Free-space laser communication technologies II; Proceedings of the Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 15-17, 1990

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Begley, David L. (Editor); Seery, Bernard D. (Editor)

1990-01-01

Various papers on free-space laser communication technologies are presented. Individual topics addressed include: optical intersatellite link experiment between the earth station and ETS-VI, the Goddard optical communications program, technologies and techniques for lasercom terminal size, weight, and cost reduction, laser beam acquisition and tracking system for ETS-VI laser communication equipment, analog dividers for acquisition and tracking signal normalization, fine pointing mechanism using multilayered piezoelectric actuator for optical ISL system, analysis of SILEX tracking sensor performance, new telescope concept for space communication, telescope considered as a very high gain antenna, design of compact transceiver optical systems for optical intersatellite links, ultralightweight optics for laser communications, highly sensitive measurement method for stray light and retroreflected light, depolarization effects on free space laser transceiver communication systems, in-orbit measurements of microaccelerations of ESA's communication satellite Olympus, high-performance laser diode transmitter for optical free space communication, diode-pumped Nd:host laser transmitter for intersatellite optical communications, single-frequency diode-pumped laser for free-space communication.

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation up to 4.6 µm using step-index indium fluoride fiber pumped by a femtosecond fiber laser near 2 µm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salem, Reza; Jiang, Zack; Liu, Dongfeng; Pafchek, Robert; Foy, Paul; Saad, Mohammed; Jenkins, Doug; Cable, Alex; Fendel, Peter

2016-03-01

We report mid-infrared supercontinuum (SC) generation in a dispersion-engineered step-index indium fluoride fiber pumped by a femtosecond fiber laser near 2 μm. The SC spans 1.8 octaves from 1.25 μm to 4.6 μm with an average output power of 270 mW. The pump source is an all-fiber femtosecond laser that generates sub-100 fs pulses at 50 MHz repetition rate with 570 mW average power. The indium fluoride fiber used for SC generation is designed to have a zerodispersion wavelength close to 1.9 μm. Two fiber lengths of 30 cm and 55 cm are selected for the SC generation experiments based on the numerical modelling results. The measured spectra and the numerical modelling results are presented showing good agreement for both lengths. The femtosecond pumping regime is a key requirement for generating a coherent SC. We show by modelling that the SC is coherent for a pump with the same pulse width and energy as our fiber laser and added quantum-limited noise. The results are promising for the realization of coherent and high-repetition-rate SC sources, two conditions that are critical for spectroscopy applications using FTIR spectrometers. Additionally, the entire SC system is built using optical fibers with similar core diameters, which enables integration into a compact platform.

Selective suppression of CARS signal with three-beam competing stimulated Raman scattering processes.

PubMed

Choi, Dae Sik; Rao, B Jayachander; Kim, Doyeon; Shim, Sang-Hee; Rhee, Hanju; Cho, Minhaeng

2018-06-14

Coherent Raman scattering spectroscopy and microscopy are useful methods for studying the chemical and biological structures of molecules with Raman-active modes. In particular, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, which is a label-free method capable of imaging structures by displaying the vibrational contrast of the molecules, has been widely used. However, the lack of a technique for switching-off the CARS signal has prevented the development of the super-resolution Raman imaging method. Here, we demonstrate that a selective suppression of the CARS signal is possible by using a three-beam double stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) scheme; the three beams are the pump, Stokes, and depletion lights in order of frequency. Both pump-Stokes and pump-depletion beam pairs can generate SRS processes by tuning their beat frequencies to match two different vibrational modes, then two CARS signals induced by pump-Stokes-pump and pump-depletion-pump interactions can be generated, where the two CARS signals are coupled with each other because they both involve interactions with the common pump beam. Herein, we show that as the intensity of the depletion beam is increased, one can selectively suppress the pump-Stokes-pump CARS signal because the pump-depletion SRS depletes the pump photons. A detailed theoretical description of the coupled differential equations for the three incident fields and the generated CARS signal fields is presented. Taking benzene as a molecular system, we obtained a maximum CARS suppression efficiency of about 97% with our experimental scheme, where the ring breathing mode of the benzene is associated with pump-Stokes-pump CARS, while the C-H stretching mode is associated with the competing pump-depletion SRS process. We anticipate that this selective switching-off scheme will be of use in developing super-resolution label-free CARS microscopy.

Injection-seeded optical parametric oscillator and system

DOEpatents

Lucht, Robert P.; Kulatilaka, Waruna D.; Anderson, Thomas N.; Bougher, Thomas L.

2007-10-09

Optical parametric oscillators (OPO) and systems are provided. The OPO has a non-linear optical material located between two optical elements where the product of the reflection coefficients of the optical elements are higher at the output wavelength than at either the pump or idler wavelength. The OPO output may be amplified using an additional optical parametric amplifier (OPA) stage.

Characterizing the phytoplankton soup: pump and plumbing effects on the particle assemblage in underway optical seawater systems.

PubMed

Cetinić, Ivona; Poulton, Nicole; Slade, Wayne H

2016-09-05

Many optical and biogeochemical data sets, crucial for algorithm development and satellite data validation, are collected using underway seawater systems over the course of research cruises. Phytoplankton and particle size distribution (PSD) in the ocean is a key measurement, required in oceanographic research and ocean optics. Using a data set collected in the North Atlantic, spanning different oceanic water types, we outline the differences observed in concurrent samples collected from two different flow-through systems: a permanently plumbed science seawater supply with an impeller pump, and an independent system with shorter, clean tubing runs and a diaphragm pump. We observed an average of 40% decrease in phytoplankton counts, and significant changes to the PSD in 10-45 µm range, when comparing impeller and diaphragm pump systems. Change in PSD seems to be more dependent on the type of the phytoplankton, than the size, with photosynthetic ciliates displaying the largest decreases in cell counts (78%). Comparison of chlorophyll concentrations across the two systems demonstrated lower sensitivity to sampling system type. Observed changes in several measured biogeochemical parameters (associated with phytoplankton size distribution) using the two sampling systems, should be used as a guide towards building best practices when it comes to the deployment of flow-through systems in the field for examining optics and biogeochemistry. Using optical models, we evaluated potential impact of the observed change in measured phytoplankton size spectra onto scattering measurements, resulting in significant differences between modeled optical properties across systems (~40%). Researchers should be aware of the methods used with previously collected data sets, and take into consideration the potentially significant and highly variable ecosystem-dependent biases in designing field studies in the future.

Double-pump-pass singly resonant optical parametric oscillator for efficient generation of infrared light at 2300 nm based on PPMgSLT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Seungmin; Rhee, Bum Ku

2015-02-01

The pump laser was a cw-diode-pumped, acousto-optically Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The laser had a pulse width of ~85 ns when operating at 10 kHz repetition rates. For infrared output of 2300 nm, we used 35-mm-long PPMgSLT which has a grating period of 32.7 μm for the first-order quasi-phase matching, resulting in the signal wavelength of 1980 nm at the crystal temperature of 76.5oC. Our optical parametric oscillator (OPO) was of a simple linear extra-cavity structure, formed by two flat dichroic mirrors with a separation of ~45 mm. The input coupling mirror had a high transmission of 98% for the pump, high reflectance of 98% at the signal and idler wavelengths, whereas the output coupler had a high reflectance of 98% at the pump wavelength. Hence, the OPO can be considered as singly resonant with double-pass pumping. In order to find an optimum reflectance for the efficient generation of infrared radiation of 2300 nm, we used the three different output mirrors whose reflectivity are ranging from 90% to 38% at the signal wavelength. We measured the signal and idler power as a function of the pumping power of Nd:YAG laser for three different output couplers. A maximum extraction efficiency with an optimum reflectance of output mirror was 27% for the idler, corresponding to 5.6 W of average output power. The fluctuations in the idler root-mean-square output power were measured to be below 1.5%. Our result is comparable with the recent one based on PPLN even with a simple cavity.

Low power generation of equalized broadband CW supercontinua using a novel technique incorporating modulation instability of line broadened pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, Roopa; Choudhury, Vishal; Arun, S.; Supradeepa, V. R.

2018-02-01

Continuous-wave(CW) supercontinuum sources find applications in various domains such as imaging, spectroscopy, test and measurement. They are generated by pumping an optical fiber with a CW laser in the anomalous-dispersion region close to its zero-dispersion wavelength. Modulation instability(MI) sidebands are created, and further broadened and equalized by additional nonlinear processes generating the supercontinuum. This necessitates high optical powers and at lower powers, only MI sidebands can be seen without the formation of the supercontinuum. Obtaining a supercontinuum at low, easily manageable optical powers is attractive for many applications, but current techniques cannot achieve this. In this work, we propose a new mechanism for low power supercontinuum generation utilizing the modified MI gain spectrum for a line-broadened, decorrelated pump. A novel two-stage generation mechanism is demonstrated, where the first stage constituting standard telecom fiber slightly broadens the input pump linewidth. However, this process in the presence of dispersion, acts to de-correlate the different spectral components of the pump signal. When this is sent through highly nonlinear fiber near its zero-dispersion wavelength, the shape of the MI gain spectrum is modified, and this process naturally results in the generation of a broadband, equalized supercontinuum source at much lower powers than possible using conventional single stage spectral broadening. Here, we demonstrate a 0.5W supercontinuum source pumped using a 4W Erbium-Ytterbium co-doped fiber laser with a bandwidth spanning from 1300nm to 2000nm. We also demonstrate an interesting behaviour of this technique of relative insensitivity to the pump wavelength vis-a-vis zero-dispersion wavelength of the fiber.

Overview and future direction for blackbody solar-pumped lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deyoung, R. J.

1988-01-01

A review of solar-pumped blackbody lasers is given which addresses their present status and suggests future research directions. The blackbody laser concept is one system proposed to scale to multimegawatt power levels for space-to-space power transmissions for such applications as onboard spacecraft electrical or propulsion needs. Among the critical technical issues are the scalability to high powers and the laser wavelength which impacts the transmission optics size as well as the laser-to-electric converter at the receiver. Because present blackbody solar-pumped lasers will have laser wavelengths longer than 4 microns, simple photovoltaic converters cannot be used, and transmission optics will be large. Thus, future blackbody laser systems should emphasize near visible laser wavelengths.

Excitons in Cuprous Oxide: Photoionization and Other Multiphoton Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frazer, Nicholas Laszlo

In cuprous oxide (Cu2O), momentum from the absorption of two infrared photons to make an orthoexciton is conserved and detected through the photon component of a resulting mixed exciton/photon (quadrupole exciton polariton) state. I demonstrated that this process, which actually makes the photon momentum more precisely defined, is disrupted by photoionization of excitons. Some processes are known to affect exciton propagation in both the pump and exciton stages, such as phonon emission, exciton-exciton (Auger) scattering, and third harmonic generation. These processes alone were not able to explain all observed losses of excitons or all detected scattering products, which lead me to design an optical pump-probe experiment to measure the exciton photoionization cross section, which is (3.9+/-0.2) x 10-22 m2. This dissertation describes the synthesis of cuprous oxide crystals using oxidation of copper, crystallization from melt with the optical floating zone method, and annealing. The cuprous oxide crystals were characterized using time and space resolved luminescence, leading to the discovery of new defect properties. Selection rules and overall efficiency of third harmonic generation in these crystals were characterized. Exciton photoionization was demonstrated through the depletion of polariton luminescence by an optical probe, the production of phonon linked luminescence as a scattering product, temporal delay of the probe, and time resolved luminescence. The results are integrated with the traditional dynamical model of exciton densities. An additional investigation of copper/cuprous oxide/gold photovoltaic devices is appended.

Hg(+) Frequency Standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prestage, John D.; Tjoelker, Robert L.; Maleki, Lute

2000-01-01

In this paper we review the development of Hg(+) microwave frequency standards for use in high reliability and continuous operation applications. In recent work we have demonstrated short-term frequency stability of 3 x 10(exp -14)/nu(sub tau) when a cryogenic oscillator of stability 2-3 x 10(exp 15) was used a the local oscillator. The trapped ion frequency standard employs a Hg-202 discharge lamp to optically pump the trapped Hg(+)-199 clock ions and a helium buffer gas to cool the ions to near room temperature. We describe a small Hg(+) ion trap based frequency standard with an extended linear ion trap (LITE) architecture which separates the optical state selection region from the clock resonance region. This separation allows the use of novel trap configurations in the resonance region since no optical pumping is carried out there. A method for measuring the size of an ion cloud inside a linear trap with a 12-rod trap is currently being investigated. At approx. 10(exp -12), the 2nd order Doppler shift for trapped mercury ion frequency standards is one of the largest frequency offsets and its measurement to the 1% level would represent an advance in insuring the very long-term stability of these standards to the 10(exp -14) or better level. Finally, we describe atomic clock comparison experiments that can probe for a time variation of the fine structure constant, alpha = e(exp 2)/2(pi)hc, at the level of 10(exp -20)/year as predicted in some Grand Unified String Theories.

Demonstration of flexible multicasting and aggregation functionality for TWDM-PON

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yuanxiang; Li, Juhao; Zhu, Paikun; Zhu, Jinglong; Tian, Yu; Wu, Zhongying; Peng, Huangfa; Xu, Yongchi; Chen, Jingbiao; He, Yongqi; Chen, Zhangyuan

2017-06-01

The time- and wavelength-division multiplexed passive optical network (TWDM-PON) has been recognized as an attractive solution to provide broadband access for the next-generation networks. In this paper, we propose flexible service multicasting and aggregation functionality for TWDM-PON utilizing multiple-pump four-wave-mixing (FWM) and cyclic arrayed waveguide grating (AWG). With the proposed scheme, multiple TWDM-PON links share a single optical line terminal (OLT), which can greatly reduce the network deployment expense and achieve efficient network resource utilization by load balancing among different optical distribution networks (ODNs). The proposed scheme is compatible with existing TDM-PON infrastructure with fixed-wavelength OLT transmitter, thus smooth service upgrade can be achieved. Utilizing the proposed scheme, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept experiment with 10-Gb/s OOK and 10-Gb/s QPSK orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal multicasting and aggregating to seven PON links. Compared with back-to-back (BTB) channel, the newly generated multicasting OOK signal and OFDM signal have power penalty of 1.6 dB and 2 dB at the BER of 10-3, respectively. For the aggregation of multiple channels, no obvious power penalty is observed. What is more, to verify the flexibility of the proposed scheme, we reconfigure the wavelength selective switch (WSS) and adjust the number of pumps to realize flexible multicasting functionality. One to three, one to seven, one to thirteen and one to twenty-one multicasting are achieved without modifying OLT structure.

Spectroscopic and Kinetic Measurements of Alkali Atom-Rare Gas Excimers

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-11-04

vapors – Exciplex molecules absorb over much greater bandwidth • Control of inherent high optical gain to minimize ASE and optimize laser oscillation... Exciplex assisted diode Pumped Alkali Laser (XPAL) • Education of a future generation of laser scientists VG09-227-2 Physical Sciences Inc. Novel Approach...This new laser exploits the optical properties of weakly-bound alkali/rare-gas exciplexes for pumping the 2P1/2, 3/2 alkali atomic excited states 4

Laser reflector with an interference coating

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vol'pyan, O D; Semenov, A A; Yakovlev, P P

1998-10-31

An analysis was made of the reflectivity of interference coatings intended for the use in optical pumping of solid-state lasers. Ruby and Nd{sup 3+}:YAG lasers were used as models in comparative pumping efficiency measurements, carried out employing reflectors with interference and silver coatings. Estimates of the service life of reflectors with interference coatings were obtained. The power of a thermo-optical lens was reduced by the use of such coatings in cw lasers. (laser system components)

Accuracy evaluation of the LPTF optically pumped primary frequency standard

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

De Clercq, E.; Rovera, G.D.; Clairon, A.

1994-12-31

The optically pumped Cesium beam frequency standard under development in our laboratory was first evaluated in `93. The short term stability was {sigma}{sub y}({tau}) is 5.5 x 10{sup -13}, {tau}{sup -1/2}. The accuracy has been estimated to 1.1 x 10{sup -13}, mainly limited by the distributed phase shift. After modification of the cavity, a new evaluation is in progress and will be presented at the conference.

Prospects for atomic frequency standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Audoin, C.

1984-01-01

The potentialities of different atomic frequency standards which are not yet into field operation, for most of them, but for which preliminary data, obtained in laboratory experiments, give confidence that they may improve greatly the present state of the art are described. The review will mainly cover the following devices: (1) cesium beam frequency standards with optical pumping and detection; (2) optically pumped rubidium cells; (3) magnesium beam; (4) cold hydrogen masers; and (5) traps with stored and cooled ions.