Scope of Work for Integration Management and Installation Services of the National Ignition Facility Beampath Infrastructure System

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

Coyle, P.D.

The goal of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) project is to provide an aboveground experimental capability for maintaining nuclear competence and weapons effects simulation and to provide a facility capable of achieving fusion ignition using solid-state lasers as the energy driver. The facility will incorporate 192 laser beams, which will be focused onto a small target located at the center of a spherical target chamber--the energy from the laser beams will be deposited in a few billionths of a second. The target will then implode, forcing atomic nuclei to sufficiently high temperatures and densities necessary to achieve a miniature fusionmore » reaction. The NIF is under construction, at Livermore, California, located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Francisco, California.« less

[The design of all solid-state tunable pulsed Ti:sapphire laser system].

PubMed

Chen, Zhe; Ku, Geng; Wan, Junchao; Wang, Wei; Zhou, Chuanqing

2013-05-01

This paper presented a design of broadly all solid-state tunable pulsed Ti:sapphire laser with high power and stable performance. The laser was pumped by custom-made Nd:YAG laser which had water cooling system and amplified by two stage amplifier. The method accomplished tunable output of all solid-state tunable pulsed Ti:sapphire laser by modifying the reflection angle of the back mirror. We investigated the relationship between the power of the pumping laser and the all solid-state tunable pulsed Ti: sapphire laser by changing the power of the pumping source.

Diode pumped solid-state laser oscillators for spectroscopic applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, R. L.; Basu, S.; Fan, T. Y.; Kozlovsky, W. J.; Nabors, C. D.; Nilsson, A.; Huber, G.

1987-01-01

The rapid improvement in diode laser pump sources has led to the recent progress in diode laser pumped solid state lasers. To date, electrical efficiencies of greater than 10 percent were demonstrated. As diode laser costs decrease with increased production volume, diode laser and diode laser array pumped solid state lasers will replace the traditional flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser sources. The use of laser diode array pumping of slab geometry lasers will allow efficient, high peak and average power solid state laser sources to be developed. Perhaps the greatest impact of diode laser pumped solid state lasers will be in spectroscopic applications of miniature, monolithic devices. Single-stripe diode-pumped operation of a continuous-wave 946 nm Nd:YAG laser with less than 10 m/w threshold was demonstrated. A slope efficiency of 16 percent near threshold was shown with a projected slope efficiency well above a threshold of 34 percent based on results under Rhodamine 6G dye-laser pumping. Nonlinear crystals for second-harmonic generation of this source were evaluated. The KNbO3 and periodically poled LiNbO3 appear to be the most promising.

Solid state laser technology - A NASA perspective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allario, F.

1985-01-01

NASA's program for developing solid-state laser technology and applying it to the Space Shuttle and Space Platform is discussed. Solid-state lasers are required to fulfill the Earth Observation System's requirements. The role of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology in developing a NASA tunable solid-state laser program is described. The major goals of the program involve developing a solid-state pump laser in the green, using AlGaAs array technology, pumping a Nd:YAG/SLAB crystal or glass, and fabricating a lidar system, with either a CO2 laser at 10.6 microns or a Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns, to measure tropospheric winds to an accuracy of + or - 1 m/s and a vertical resolution of 1 km. The procedures to be followed in order to visualize this technology plan include: (1) material development and characterization, (2) laser development, and (3) implementation of the lasers.

Fundamental characteristics of degradation-recoverable solid-state DFB polymer laser.

PubMed

Yoshioka, Hiroaki; Yang, Yu; Watanabe, Hirofumi; Oki, Yuji

2012-02-13

A novel solid-state dye laser with degradation recovery was proposed and demonstrated. Polydimethylsiloxane was used as a nanoporous solid matrix to enable the internal circulation of dye molecules in the solid state. An internal circulation model for the dye molecules was also proposed and verified numerically by assuming molecular mobility and using a proposed diffusion equation. The durability of the laser was increased 20.5-fold compared with that of a conventional polymethylmethacrylate laser. This novel laser solves the low-durability problem of dye-doped polymer lasers.

Heavy ion driven LMF design concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, E. P.

1991-08-01

The US Department of Energy has conducted a multi-year study of the requirements, designs and costs for a Laboratory Microfusion Facility (LMF). The primary purpose of the LMF would be testing of weapons physics and effects simulation using the output from microexplosions of inertial fusion pellets. It does not need a high repetition rate, efficient driver system as required by an electrical generating plant. However there would be so many features in common that the design, construction and operation of an LMF would considerably advance the application of inertial confinement fusion to energy production. The DOE study has concentrated particularly on the LMF driver, with design and component development undertaken at several national laboratories. Principally, these are LLNL (Solid State Laser), LANL (Gas Laser), and SNLA (Light Ions). Heavy Ions, although considered a possible LMF driver did not receive attention until the final stages of this study since its program management was through the Office of Energy Research rather than Defense Programs. During preparation of a summary report for the study it was decided that some account of heavy ions was needed for a complete survey of the driver candidates. A conceptual heavy ion LMF driver design was created for the DOE report which is titled LMC Phase II Design Concepts. The heavy ion driver did not receive the level of scrutiny of the other concepts and, unlike the others, no costs analysis by an independent contractor was performed. Since much of heavy ion driver design lore was brought together in this exercise it is worthwhile to make it available as an independent report. This is reproduced here as it appears in the DOE report.

Path toward a high-energy solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, Gary L.; Merkle, Larry D.; Dubinskii, Mark; Zandi, Bahram

2004-04-01

Lasers have come a long way since the first demonstration by Maiman of a ruby crystal laser in 1960. Lasers are used as scientific tools as well as for a wide variety of applications for both commercial industry and the military. Today lasers come in all types, shapes and sizes depending on their application. The solid-state laser has some distinct advantages in that it can be rugged, compact, and self contained, making it reliable over long periods of time. With the advent of diode laser pumping a ten times increase in overall laser efficiency has been realized. This significant event, and others, is changing the way solid-state lasers are applied and allows new possibilities. One of those new areas of exploration is the high energy laser. Solid-state lasers for welding are already developed and yield energies in the 0.5 to 6 kilojoule range. These lasers are at the forefront of what is possible in terms of high energy solid-state lasers. It is possible to achieve energies of greater than 100 kJ. These sorts of energies would allow applications, in addition to welding, such as directed energy weapons, extremely remote sensing, power transfer, propulsion, biological and chemical agent neutralization and unexploded and mine neutralization. This article will review these new advances in solid-state lasers and the different paths toward achieving a high energy laser. The advantages and challenges of each approach will be highlighted.

Frequency stabilization of diode-laser-pumped solid state lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1988-01-01

The goal of the NASA Sunlite program is to fly two diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers on the space shuttle and while doing so to perform a measurement of their frequency stability and temporal coherence. These measurements will be made by combining the outputs of the two lasers on an optical radiation detector and spectrally analyzing the beat note. Diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers have several characteristics that will make them useful in space borne experiments. First, this laser has high electrical efficiency. Second, it is of a technology that enables scaling to higher powers in the future. Third, the laser can be made extremely reliable, which is crucial for many space based applications. Fourth, they are frequency and amplitude stable and have high temporal coherence. Diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers are inherently efficient. Recent results have shown 59 percent slope efficiency for a diode-laser-pumped solid-state laser. As for reliability, the laser proposed should be capable of continuous operation. This is possible because the diode lasers can be remote from the solid state gain medium by coupling through optical fibers. Diode lasers are constructed with optical detectors for monitoring their output power built into their mounting case. A computer can actively monitor the output of each diode laser. If it sees any variation in the output power that might indicate a problem, the computer can turn off that diode laser and turn on a backup diode laser. As for stability requirements, it is now generally believed that any laser can be stabilized if the laser has a frequency actuator capable of tuning the laser frequency as far as it is likely to drift in a measurement time.

Advances in solid state laser technology for space and medical applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byvik, C. E.; Buoncristiani, A. M.

1988-01-01

Recent developments in laser technology and their potential for medical applications are discussed. Gas discharge lasers, dye lasers, excimer lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, HF and DF lasers, and other commonly used lasers are briefly addressed. Emerging laser technology is examined, including diode-pumped lasers and other solid state lasers.

Tunable solid-state laser technology for applications to scientific and technological experiments from space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allario, F.; Taylor, L. V.

1986-01-01

Current plans for the Earth Observing System (EOS) include development of a lidar facility to conduct scientific experiments from a polar orbiting platforms. A recommended set of experiments were scoped, which includes techniques of atmospheric backscatter (Lidar), Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL), altimetry, and retroranging. Preliminary assessments of the resources (power, weight, volume) required by the Eos Lidar Facility were conducted. A research program in tunable solid state laser technology was developed, which includes laser materials development, modeling and experiments on the physics of solid state laser materials, and development of solid state laser transmitters with a strong focus on Eos scientific investigations. Some of the system studies that were conducted which highlight the payoff of solid state laser technology for the Eos scientific investigations will be discussed. Additionally, a summary of some promising research results which have recently emerged from the research program will be presented.

The solid state detector technology for picosecond laser ranging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prochazka, Ivan

1993-01-01

We developed an all solid state laser ranging detector technology, which makes the goal of millimeter accuracy achievable. Our design and construction philosophy is to combine the techniques of single photon ranging, ultrashort laser pulses, and fast fixed threshold discrimination while avoiding any analog signal processing within the laser ranging chain. The all solid state laser ranging detector package consists of the START detector and the STOP solid state photon counting module. Both the detectors are working in an optically triggered avalanche switching regime. The optical signal is triggering an avalanche current buildup which results in the generation of a uniform, fast risetime output pulse.

A new solid-state, frequency-doubled neodymium-YAG photocoagulation system.

PubMed

Jalkh, A E; Pflibsen, K; Pomerantzeff, O; Trempe, C L; Schepens, C L

1988-06-01

We have developed a solid-state laser system that produces a continuous green monochromatic laser beam of 532 nm by doubling the frequency of a neodymium-YAG laser wavelength of 1064 nm with a potassium-titamyl-phosphate crystal. Photocoagulation burns of equal size and intensity were placed in two rabbit eyes with the solid-state laser system and the regular green argon laser system, respectively, using the same slit-lamp mode of delivery. Histologic findings of lesion sections revealed no important differences between the two systems. In theory, the longer wavelength of the solid-state laser offers the advantages of less scattering in ocular media, higher absorption by oxyhemoglobin, and less absorption by macular xanthophyll than the 514-nm wavelength of the regular green argon laser. The solid-state laser has impressive technical advantages: it contains no argon-ion gas tube that wears out and is expensive to replace; it is much more power efficient, and thus considerably smaller and compact; it is sturdier and easily movable; it does not require external cooling; it uses a 220-V monophasic alternating current; and it requires little maintenance.

Improving Reliability of High Power Quasi-CW Laser Diode Arrays for Pumping Solid State Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Baker, Nathaniel R.; Barnes, Bruce W.; Baggott, Renee S.; Lockard, George E.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

2005-01-01

Most Lidar applications rely on moderate to high power solid state lasers to generate the required transmitted pulses. However, the reliability of solid state lasers, which can operate autonomously over long periods, is constrained by their laser diode pump arrays. Thermal cycling of the active regions is considered the primary reason for rapid degradation of the quasi-CW high power laser diode arrays, and the excessive temperature rise is the leading suspect in premature failure. The thermal issues of laser diode arrays are even more drastic for 2-micron solid state lasers which require considerably longer pump pulses compared to the more commonly used pump arrays for 1-micron lasers. This paper describes several advanced packaging techniques being employed for more efficient heat removal from the active regions of the laser diode bars. Experimental results for several high power laser diode array devices will be reported and their performance when operated at long pulsewidths of about 1msec will be described.

Model of Laser-Induced Temperature Changes in Solid-State Optical Refrigerators

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

Model of laser-induced temperature changes in solid-state optical refrigerators W. M. Patterson,1,a M. Sheik- Bahae ,1 R. I . Epstein,2 and M. P...Applications of Laser Cooling of Sol- ids, edited by R. I . Epstein and M. Sheik- Bahae Wiley, Weinheim, 2009. 2W. Koechner, Solid-State Laser...2004. 19D. V. Seletskiy, S. D. Melgaard, S. Bigotta, A. Di Lieto, M. Tonelli, R. I . Epstein, and M. Sheik- Bahae , in Conference on Lasers and Electro

Ultracold Fermions in the P-Orbital Band of an Optical Lattice

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-27

introduces (1) a new degree of freedom due to orbital degeneracy and (2) a tunneling anisotropy which depends on the orientation of the orbital wavefunction...demonstrated this new technique with a diode -pumped solid-state laser operating at 1342 nm that could be frequency doubled to provide 671 nm light for laser...Figure 3: Self-injection locked, diode -pumped solid-state laser for laser cooling of Li atoms. The solid-state Nd:YVO4 laser at the top consists of a

Generation of ultra-high-pressure shocks by collision of a fast plasma projectile driven in the laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration scheme with a solid target

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

Badziak, J.; Rosiński, M.; Krousky, E.

2015-03-15

A novel, efficient method of generating ultra-high-pressure shocks is proposed and investigated. In this method, the shock is generated by collision of a fast plasma projectile (a macro-particle) driven by laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration (LICPA) with a solid target placed at the LICPA accelerator channel exit. Using the measurements performed at the kilojoule PALS laser facility and two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations, it is shown that the shock pressure ∼ Gbar can be produced with this method at the laser driver energy of only a few hundred joules, by an order of magnitude lower than the energy needed for production of suchmore » pressure with other laser-based methods known so far.« less

Generation of sub-gigabar-pressure shocks by a hyper-velocity impact in the collider driven by laser-induced cavity pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badziak, J.; Kucharik, M.; Liska, R.

2018-02-01

The generation of high-pressure shocks in the newly proposed collider in which the projectile impacting a solid target is driven by the laser-induced cavity pressure acceleration (LICPA) mechanism is investigated using two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. The dependence of parameters of the shock generated in the target by the impact of a gold projectile on the impacted target material and the laser driver energy is examined. It is found that both in case of low-density (CH, Al) and high-density (Au, Cu) solid targets the shock pressures in the sub-Gbar range can be produced in the LICPA-driven collider with the laser energy of only a few hundreds of joules, and the laser-to-shock energy conversion efficiency can reach values of 10 - 20 %, by an order of magnitude higher than the conversion efficiencies achieved with other laser-based methods used so far.

High Energy 2-micron Laser Developments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Jirong; Trieu, Bo C.; Petros, Mulugeta; Bai, Yingxin; Petzar, Paul J.; Koch, Grady J.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation shows the development of 2-micron solid state lasers. The topics covered include: 1) Overview 2-micron solid state lasers; 2) Modeling and population inversion measurement; 3) Side pump oscillator; and 4) One Joule 2-m Laser.

High power diode and solid state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichler, H. J.; Fritsche, H.; Lux, O.; Strohmaier, S. G.

2017-01-01

Diode lasers are now basic pump sources of crystal, glass fiber and other solid state lasers. Progress in the performance of all these lasers is related. Examples of recently developed diode pumped lasers and Raman frequency converters are described for applications in materials processing, Lidar and medical surgery.

Grating enhanced solid-state laser amplifiers

DOEpatents

Erlandson, Alvin C.; Britten, Jerald A.

2010-11-09

A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and parasitic oscillation modes in a high average power laser is introduced. Such an invention, as disclosed herein, uses diffraction gratings to increase gain, stored energy density, and pumping efficiency of solid-state laser gain media, such as, but not limited to rods, disks and slabs. By coupling predetermined gratings to solid-state gain media, such as crystal or ceramic laser gain media, ASE and parasitic oscillation modes can be effectively suppressed.

Solid state light source driver establishing buck or boost operation

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

Palmer, Fred

A solid state light source driver circuit that operates in either a buck convertor or a boost convertor configuration is provided. The driver circuit includes a controller, a boost switch circuit and a buck switch circuit, each coupled to the controller, and a feedback circuit, coupled to the light source. The feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller, representing a DC output of the driver circuit. The controller controls the boost switch circuit and the buck switch circuit in response to the feedback signal, to regulate current to the light source. The controller places the driver circuit in its boostmore » converter configuration when the DC output is less than a rectified AC voltage coupled to the driver circuit at an input node. The controller places the driver circuit in its buck converter configuration when the DC output is greater than the rectified AC voltage at the input node.« less

Solid State Lasers from an Efficiency Perspective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, Norman P.

2007-01-01

Solid state lasers have remained a vibrant area of research because several major innovations expanded their capability. Major innovations are presented with emphasis focused on the laser efficiency. A product of efficiencies approach is developed and applied to describe laser performance. Efficiency factors are presented in closed form where practical and energy transfer effects are included where needed. In turn, efficiency factors are used to estimate threshold and slope efficiency, allowing a facile estimate of performance. Spectroscopic, thermal, and mechanical data are provided for common solid state laser materials.

Monolithic solid-state lasers for spaceflight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krainak, Michael A.; Yu, Anthony W.; Stephen, Mark A.; Merritt, Scott; Glebov, Leonid; Glebova, Larissa; Ryasnyanskiy, Aleksandr; Smirnov, Vadim; Mu, Xiaodong; Meissner, Stephanie; Meissner, Helmuth

2015-02-01

A new solution for building high power, solid state lasers for space flight is to fabricate the whole laser resonator in a single (monolithic) structure or alternatively to build a contiguous diffusion bonded or welded structure. Monolithic lasers provide numerous advantages for space flight solid-state lasers by minimizing misalignment concerns. The closed cavity is immune to contamination. The number of components is minimized thus increasing reliability. Bragg mirrors serve as the high reflector and output coupler thus minimizing optical coatings and coating damage. The Bragg mirrors also provide spectral and spatial mode selection for high fidelity. The monolithic structure allows short cavities resulting in short pulses. Passive saturable absorber Q-switches provide a soft aperture for spatial mode filtering and improved pointing stability. We will review our recent commercial and in-house developments toward fully monolithic solid-state lasers.

Intense Plasma Waveguide Terahertz Sources for High-Field THz Probe Science with Ultrafast Lasers for Solid State Physics

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-25

AFRL-AFOSR-UK-TR-2016-0029 Intense Plasma-Waveguide Terahertz Sources for High-Field THz probe science with ultrafast lasers for Solid State Physics...Plasma-Waveguide Terahertz Sources for High-Field THz probe science with ultrafast lasers for Solid State Physics, 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER 5b.  GRANT...an existing high energy laser system, has been applied to the study of intense terahertz radiation generated in gaseous plasmas in purpose

Solar-pumped solid state Nd lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, M. D.; Zapata, L.

1985-01-01

Solid state neodymium lasers are considered candidates for space-based polar-pumped laser for continuous power transmission. Laser performance for three different slab laser configurations has been computed to show the excellent power capability of such systems if heat problems can be solved. Ideas involving geometries and materials are offered as potential solutions to the heat problem.

Emerging solid-state laser technology by lidar/DIAL remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Killinger, Dennis

1992-01-01

Significant progress has been made in recent years in the development of new, solid-state laser sources. This talk will present an overview of some of the new developments in solid-state lasers, and their application toward lidar/DIAL measurements of the atmosphere. Newly emerging lasers such as Ho:YAG, Tm:YAG, OPO, and Ti:Sapphire will be covered, along with the spectroscopic parameters required for differential operational modes of atmospheric remote sensing including Doppler-Windshear lidar, Tunable laser detection of water/CO2, and broad linewidth OPO's for open path detection of pollutant hydrocarbon gases. Additional considerations of emerging laser technology for lidar/DIAL will also be covered.

Solid State Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The Titan-CW Ti:sapphire (titanium-doped sapphire) tunable laser is an innovation in solid-state laser technology jointly developed by the Research and Solid State Laser Divisions of Schwartz Electro-optics, Inc. (SEO). SEO is producing the laser for the commercial market, an outgrowth of a program sponsored by Langley Research Center to develop Ti:sapphire technology for space use. SEO's Titan-CW series of Ti:sapphire tunable lasers have applicability in analytical equipment designed for qualitative analysis of carbohydrates and proteins, structural analysis of water, starch/sugar analyses, and measurements of salt in meat. Further applications are expected in semiconductor manufacture, in medicine for diagnosis and therapy, and in biochemistry.

Solid-state coherent laser radar wind shear measuring systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huffaker, R. Milton

1992-01-01

Coherent Technologies, Inc. (CTI) was established in 1984 to engage in the development of coherent laser radar systems and subsystems with applications in atmospheric remote sensing, and in target tracking, ranging and imaging. CTI focuses its capabilities in three major areas: (1) theoretical performance and design of coherent laser radar system; (2) development of coherent laser radar systems for government agencies such as DoD and NASA; and (3) development of coherent laser radar systems for commercial markets. The topics addressed are: (1) 1.06 micron solid-state coherent laser radar system; (2) wind measurement using 1.06 micron system; and flashlamp-pumped 2.09 micron solid-state coherent laser radar system.

Compact Ozone Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) Transmitter Using Solid-State Dye Polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Alton L., Jr.; DeYoung, Russell J.; Elsayid-Ele, Hani

2001-01-01

A new potential DIAL laser transmitter is described that uses solid-state dye laser materials to make a simpler, more compact, lower mass laser system. Two solid-state dye laser materials were tested to evaluate their performance in a laser oscillator cavity end pumped by a pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm. The polymer host polymethyl-methacrylate was injected with a pyrromethene laser dye, PM 580, or PM 597. A narrowband laser oscillator cavity was constructed to produce visible wavelengths of 578 and 600 nm which were frequency doubled into the UV region (299 or 300 nm) by using a BBO crystal, resulting in a maximum energy of 11 mJ at a wavelength of 578 nm when pumped by the Nd:YAG laser at an energy of 100 mJ (532 nm). A maximum output energy of 378 microJ was achieved in the UV region at a wavelength of 289 nm but lasted only 2000 laser shots at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. The results are promising and show that a solid-state dye laser based ozone DIAL system is possible with improvements in the design of the laser transmitter.

Femtosecond solid-state laser based on a few-layered black phosphorus saturable absorber.

PubMed

Su, Xiancui; Wang, Yiran; Zhang, Baitao; Zhao, Ruwei; Yang, Kejian; He, Jingliang; Hu, Qiangqiang; Jia, Zhitai; Tao, Xutang

2016-05-01

In this Letter, a high-quality, few-layered black phosphorus (BP) saturable absorber (SA) was fabricated successfully, and a femtosecond solid-state laser modulated by BP-SA was experimentally demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Pulses as short as 272 fs were achieved with an average output power of 0.82 W, corresponding to the pulse energy of 6.48 nJ and peak power of 23.8 MW. So far, these represent the shortest pulse duration and highest output power ever obtained with a BP-based mode-locked solid-state laser. The results indicate the promising potential of few-layered BP-SA for applications in solid-state femtosecond mode-locked lasers.

Dye-impregnated polymer-filled porous glass: a new composite material for solid state dye lasers and laser beam control optical elements (Abstract Only)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koldunov, M. F.; Manenkov, Alexander A.; Sitnikov, N. M.; Dolotov, S. M.

1994-07-01

Polymer-filled microporous glass (PFMG) composite materials have been recently proposed as a proper host for dyes to create solid-state dye lasers and laser beam control elements (Q-switchers, etc.) [1,2]. In this paper we report investigation of some laser-related properties of Polymethilmethacrylate (PMAA) - filled porous glass doped with Rhodamine 6G perchiorate (active lasing dye) and 1055 dye (passive bleachable dye): laser induced damage threshold, lasmg efficiency, bleaching efficiency, and microhardness have been measured. All these characteristics have been found to be rather high indicating that PFMG composite materials are perspective hosts for dye impregnation and fabrication highly effective solid-state dye lasers and other laser related elements (Q-switchers, mode-lockers, modeselectors, spatial filters).

High power multiple wavelength diode laser stack for DPSSL application without temperature control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Dong; Yin, Xia; Wang, Jingwei; Chen, Shi; Zhan, Yun; Li, Xiaoning; Fan, Yingmin; Liu, Xingsheng

2018-02-01

High power diode laser stack is widely used in pumping solid-state laser for years. Normally an integrated temperature control module is required for stabilizing the output power of solid-state laser, as the output power of the solid-state laser highly depends on the emission wavelength and the wavelength shift of diode lasers according to the temperature changes. However the temperature control module is inconvenient for this application, due to its large dimension, high electric power consumption and extra adding a complicated controlling system. Furthermore, it takes dozens of seconds to stabilize the output power when the laser system is turned on. In this work, a compact hard soldered high power conduction cooled diode laser stack with multiple wavelengths is developed for stabilizing the output power of solid-state laser in a certain temperature range. The stack consists of 5 laser bars with the pitch of 0.43mm. The peak output power of each bar in the diode laser stack reaches as much as 557W and the combined lasing wavelength spectrum profile spans 15nm. The solidstate laser, structured with multiple wavelength diode laser stacks, allows the ambient temperature change of 65°C without suddenly degrading the optical performance.

Single-frequency Ince-Gaussian mode operations of laser-diode-pumped microchip solid-state lasers.

PubMed

Ohtomo, Takayuki; Kamikariya, Koji; Otsuka, Kenju; Chu, Shu-Chun

2007-08-20

Various single-frequency Ince-Gaussian mode oscillations have been achieved in laser-diode-pumped microchip solid-state lasers, including LiNdP(4)O(12) (LNP) and Nd:GdVO(4), by adjusting the azimuthal symmetry of the short laser resonator. Ince-Gaussian modes formed by astigmatic pumping have been reproduced by numerical simulation.

CO2-Doped Diamond: A Potential Solid-State CO2 Laser Material?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tratt, D.

1994-01-01

This paper describes a novel concept for a solid-state CO subscript 2 laser medium which, by eschewing the gas-phase approach, may offer prospects for a compact, robust 9 - 11 (micro)m coherent source, coupled with the potentially superior frequency stability characteristics afforded by monolithic solid-state construction.

Coherent laser radar at 2 microns using solid-state lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henderson, Sammy W.; Suni, Paul J. M.; Hale, Charley P.; Hannon, Stephen M.; Magee, James R.; Bruns, Dale L.; Yuen, Eric H.

1993-01-01

Coherent laser radar systems using 2-micron Tm- and Tm, Ho-doped solid-state lasers are useful for the remote range-resolved measurement of atmospheric winds, aerosol backscatter, and DIAL measurements of atmospheric water vapor and CO2 concentrations. Recent measurements made with a 2-micron coherent laser radar system, advances in the laser technology, and atmospheric propagation effects on 2-micron coherent lidar performance are described.

Design of laser-driven SiO2-YAG:Ce composite thick film: Facile synthesis, robust thermal performance, and application in solid-state laser lighting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jian; Liu, Bingguo; Liu, Zhiwen; Gong, Yuxuan; Hu, Baofu; Wang, Jian; Li, Hui; Wang, Xinliang; Du, Baoli

2018-01-01

In recent times, there have been rapid advances in the solid-state laser lighting technology. Due to the large amounts of heat accumulated from the high flux laser radiation, color conversion materials used in solid-state laser lighting devices should possess high durability, high thermal conductivity, and low thermal quenching. The aim of this study is to develop a thermally robust SiO2-YAG:Ce composite thick film (CTF) for high-power solid-state laser lighting applications. Commercial colloidal silica which was used as the source of SiO2, played the roles of an adhesive, a filler, and a protecting agent. Compared to the YAG:Ce powder, the CTF exhibits remarkable thermal stability (11.3% intensity drop at 200 °C) and durability (4.5% intensity drop after 1000 h, at 85 °C and 85% humidity). Furthermore, the effects of the substrate material and the thickness of the CTF on the laser lighting performance were investigated in terms of their thermal quenching and luminescence saturation behaviors, respectively. The CTF with a thickness of 50 μm on a sapphire substrate does not show luminescence saturation, despite a high-power density of incident radiation i.e. 20 W/mm2. These results demonstrate the potential applicability of the CTF in solid-state laser lighting devices.

Solid state lasers for use in non-contact temperature measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buoncristiani, A. M.

1989-01-01

The last decade has seen a series of dramatic developments in solid state laser technology. Prominent among these has been the emergence of high power semiconductor laser diode arrays and a deepening understanding of the dynamics of solid state lasers. Taken in tandem these two developments enable the design of laser diode pumped solid state lasers. Pumping solid state lasers with semiconductor diodes relieves the need for cumbersome and inefficient flashlamps and results in an efficient and stable laser with the compactness and reliability. It provides a laser source that can be reliably used in space. These new coherent sources are incorporated into the non-contact measurement of temperature. The primary focus is the development and characterization of new optical materials for use in active remote sensors of the atmosphere. In the course of this effort several new materials and new concepts were studied which can be used for other sensor applications. The general approach to the problem of new non-contact temperature measurements has had two components. The first component centers on passive sensors using optical fibers; an optical fiber temperature sensor for the drop tube was designed and tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Work on this problem has given insight into the use of optical fibers, especially new IR fibers, in thermal metrology. The second component of the effort is to utilize the experience gained in the study of passive sensors to examine new active sensor concepts. By active sensor are defined as a sensing device or mechanism which is interrogated in some way be radiation, usually from a laser. The status of solid state lasers as sources for active non-contact temperature sensors are summarized. Some specific electro-optic techniques are described which are applicable to the sensor problems at hand. Work on some of these ideas is in progress while other concepts are still being worked out.

Large laser projection displays utilizing all-solid-state RGB lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zuyan; Bi, Yong

2005-01-01

RGB lasers projection displays have the advantages of producing large color triangle, high color saturation and high image resolution. In this report, with more than 4W white light synthesized by red (671nm), green (532nm) and blue (473nm) lasers, a RGB laser projection display system based on diode pumped solid-state lasers is developed and the performance of brilliant and vivid DVD dynamitic pictures on 60 inch screen is demonstrated.

Free-flying experiment to measure the Schawlow-Townes linewidth limit of a 300 THz laser oscillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, R. L.; Byvik, C. E.

1988-01-01

Recent advances in laser diode-pumped solid state laser sources permit the design and testing of laser sources with linewidths that approach the Schawlow-Townes limit of 1 Hz/mW of output power. Laser diode pumped solid state ring oscillators have been operated with CW output power levels of 25 mW at electrical efficiencies that exceed 6 percent. These oscillators are expected to operate for lifetimes that approach those of the laser diode sources which is now approaching 20,000 hours. The efficiency and lifetime of these narrow linewidth laser sources will enable space measurements of gravity waves, remote sensing applications (including local range rate and measurements), and laser sources for frequency and time standards. A free-flight experiment, 'SUNLITE', is being designed to measure the linewidth of this all-solid-state laser system.

Self-Mixing Thin-Slice Solid-State Laser Metrology

PubMed Central

Otsuka, Kenju

2011-01-01

This paper reviews the dynamic effect of thin-slice solid-state lasers subjected to frequency-shifted optical feedback, which led to the discovery of the self-mixing modulation effect, and its applications to quantum-noise-limited versatile laser metrology systems with extreme optical sensitivity. PMID:22319406

Commissioning of a kW-class nanosecond pulsed DPSSL operating at 105 J, 10 Hz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, Paul; Divoký, Martin; Butcher, Thomas; Pilař, Jan; Ertel, Klaus; Hanuš, Martin; De Vido, Mariastefania; Banerjee, Saumyabrata; Phillips, Jonathan; Smith, Jodie; Hollingham, Ian; Muresan, Mihai-George; Landowski, Brian; Suarez-Merchan, Jorge; Thomas, Adrian; Dominey, Mark; Benson, Luke; Lintern, Andrew; Costello, Billy; Tomlinson, Stephanie; Blake, Steve; Tyldesley, Mike; Lucianetti, Antonio; Hernandez-Gomez, Cristina; Edwards, Chris; Mocek, Tomas; Collier, John

2017-05-01

In this paper we present details of the commissioning of DiPOLE100, a kW-class nanosecond pulsed diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL), at the HiLASE Centre at Dolní Břežany in the Czech Republic. The laser system, built at the Central Laser Facility (CLF), was dismantled, packaged, shipped and reassembled at HiLASE over a 12 month period by a collaborative team from the CLF and HiLASE. First operation of the laser at the end of 2016 demonstrated amplification of 10 ns pulses at 10 Hz pulse repetition rate to an energy of 105 J at 1029.5 nm, representing the world's first kW average power, high-energy, nanosecond pulsed DPSSL. To date DiPOLE100 has been operated for over 2.5 hours at energies in excess of 100 J at 10 Hz, corresponding to nearly 105 shots, and has demonstrated long term energy stability of less than 1% RMS for continuous operation over 1 hour. This confirms the power scalability of multislab cryogenic gas-cooled amplifier technology and demonstrates its potential as a laser driver for next generation scientific, industrial, and medical applications.

Rapid Prototyping: State of the Art

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-10-23

Rapid Prototyping SCS Solid Creation System SLM Selective Laser Melting SLP Solid Laser diode Plotter SLS Selective Laser Sintering SOAR State of the...121,000, respectively. SLP stands for Sold Laser Diode Plotter. The machines are relatively slow and parts are small, so, to date, the products have been...Gigerenzer, H., “Directed Laser Welding of Metal Matrix Composite Structures for Space Based Applications,“ Triton Systems Inc., Chelmsford, MA., 1

Observation of motion of colloidal particles undergoing flowing Brownian motion using self-mixing laser velocimetry with a thin-slice solid-state laser.

PubMed

Sudo, S; Ohtomo, T; Otsuka, K

2015-08-01

We achieved a highly sensitive method for observing the motion of colloidal particles in a flowing suspension using a self-mixing laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) comprising a laser-diode-pumped thin-slice solid-state laser and a simple photodiode. We describe the measurement method and the optical system of the self-mixing LDV for real-time measurements of the motion of colloidal particles. For a condensed solution, when the light scattered from the particles is reinjected into the solid-state laser, the laser output is modulated in intensity by the reinjected laser light. Thus, we can capture the motion of colloidal particles from the spectrum of the modulated laser output. For a diluted solution, when the relaxation oscillation frequency coincides with the Doppler shift frequency, f_d, which is related to the average velocity of the particles, the spectrum reflecting the motion of the colloidal particles is enhanced by the resonant excitation of relaxation oscillations. Then, the spectral peak reflecting the motion of colloidal particles appears at 2×f_d. The spectrum reflecting the motion of colloidal particles in a flowing diluted solution can be measured with high sensitivity, owing to the enhancement of the spectrum by the thin-slice solid-state laser.

High power diode lasers for solid-state laser pumps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linden, Kurt J.; Mcdonnell, Patrick N.

1994-01-01

The development and commercial application of high power diode laser arrays for use as solid-state laser pumps is described. Such solid-state laser pumps are significantly more efficient and reliable than conventional flash-lamps. This paper describes the design and fabrication of diode lasers emitting in the 780 - 900 nm spectral region, and discusses their performance and reliability. Typical measured performance parameters include electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiencies of 50 percent, narrow-band spectral emission of 2 to 3 nm FWHM, pulsed output power levels of 50 watts/bar with reliability values of over 2 billion shots to date (tests to be terminated after 10 billion shots), and reliable operation to pulse lengths of 1 ms. Pulse lengths up to 5 ms have been demonstrated at derated power levels, and CW performance at various power levels has been evaluated in a 'bar-in-groove' laser package. These high-power 1-cm stacked-bar arrays are now being manufactured for OEM use. Individual diode laser bars, ready for package-mounting by OEM customers, are being sold as commodity items. Commercial and medical applications of these laser arrays include solid-state laser pumping for metal-working, cutting, industrial measurement and control, ranging, wind-shear/atmospheric turbulence detection, X-ray generation, materials surface cleaning, microsurgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, and dental procedures.

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.

Parasitic oscillation suppression in solid state lasers using absorbing thin films

DOEpatents

Zapata, L.E.

1994-08-02

A thin absorbing film is bonded onto at least certain surfaces of a solid state laser gain medium. An absorbing metal-dielectric multilayer film is optimized for a broad range of incidence angles, and is resistant to the corrosive/erosive effects of a coolant such as water, used in the forced convection cooling of the film. Parasitic oscillations hamper the operation of solid state lasers by causing the decay of stored energy to amplified rays trapped within the gain medium by total and partial internal reflections off the gain medium facets. Zigzag lasers intended for high average power operation require the ASE absorber. 16 figs.

Parasitic oscillation suppression in solid state lasers using absorbing thin films

DOEpatents

Zapata, Luis E.

1994-01-01

A thin absorbing film is bonded onto at least certain surfaces of a solid state laser gain medium. An absorbing metal-dielectric multilayer film is optimized for a broad range of incidence angles, and is resistant to the corrosive/erosive effects of a coolant such as water, used in the forced convection cooling of the film. Parasitic oscillations hamper the operation of solid state lasers by causing the decay of stored energy to amplified rays trapped within the gain medium by total and partial internal reflections off the gain medium facets. Zigzag lasers intended for high average power operation require the ASE absorber.

High energy bursts from a solid state laser operated in the heat capacity limited regime

DOEpatents

Albrecht, G.; George, E.V.; Krupke, W.F.; Sooy, W.; Sutton, S.B.

1996-06-11

High energy bursts are produced from a solid state laser operated in a heat capacity limited regime. Instead of cooling the laser, the active medium is thermally well isolated. As a result, the active medium will heat up until it reaches some maximum acceptable temperature. The waste heat is stored in the active medium itself. Therefore, the amount of energy the laser can put out during operation is proportional to its mass, the heat capacity of the active medium, and the temperature difference over which it is being operated. The high energy burst capacity of a heat capacity operated solid state laser, together with the absence of a heavy, power consuming steady state cooling system for the active medium, will make a variety of applications possible. Alternately, cooling takes place during a separate sequence when the laser is not operating. Industrial applications include new material working processes. 5 figs.

High energy bursts from a solid state laser operated in the heat capacity limited regime

DOEpatents

Albrecht, Georg; George, E. Victor; Krupke, William F.; Sooy, Walter; Sutton, Steven B.

1996-01-01

High energy bursts are produced from a solid state laser operated in a heat capacity limited regime. Instead of cooling the laser, the active medium is thermally well isolated. As a result, the active medium will heat up until it reaches some maximum acceptable temperature. The waste heat is stored in the active medium itself. Therefore, the amount of energy the laser can put out during operation is proportional to its mass, the heat capacity of the active medium, and the temperature difference over which it is being operated. The high energy burst capacity of a heat capacity operated solid state laser, together with the absence of a heavy, power consuming steady state cooling system for the active medium, will make a variety of applications possible. Alternately, cooling takes place during a separate sequence when the laser is not operating. Industrial applications include new material working processes.

Passively Q-switched Nd3+ solid-state lasers with antimonene as saturable absorber.

PubMed

Wang, Mengixa; Zhang, Fang; Wang, Zhengping; Wu, Zhixin; Xu, Xinguang

2018-02-19

Based on the saturable absorption feature of a two-dimensional (2D) nano-material, antimonene, the passively Q-switched operation for solid-state laser was realized for the first time. For the 946 and 1064 nm laser emissions of the Nd:YAG crystal, the Q-switched pulse widths were 209 and 129 ns, and the peak powers were 1.48, 1.77 W, respectively. For the 1342 nm laser emission of the Nd:YVO 4 crystal, the Q-switched pulse width was 48 ns, giving a peak power of 28.17 W. Our research shows that antimonene can be used as a stable, broadband optical modulating device for a solid-state laser, which will be particularly effective for long wavelength operation.

Development of a solid-state sodium Doppler lidar using an all-fiber-coupled injection seeding unit for simultaneous temperature and wind measurements in the mesopause region.

PubMed

Xia, Yuan; Du, LiFang; Cheng, XueWu; Li, FaQuan; Wang, JiHong; Wang, ZeLong; Yang, Yong; Lin, Xin; Xun, YuChang; Gong, ShunSheng; Yang, GuoTao

2017-03-06

A solid-state sodium (Na) Doppler lidar developed at YanQing Station, Beijing, China (40°N, 116°E) aiming to simultaneous wind and temperature measurement of mesopause region was reported. The 589 nm pulse laser was produced by two injection seeded 1064 nm and 1319 nm Nd:YAG pulse lasers using the sum-frequency generation (SFG) technique. A fiber amplifier is implemented to boost the seed power at 1064 nm, enabling a robust, all-fiber-coupled design for seeding laser unit, absolute laser frequency locking, and cyclic three-frequency switching necessary for simultaneous temperature and wind measurements. The all-fiber-coupled injection seeding configuration together with the solid-state Nd:YAG lasers make the Na Doppler lidar more compact and greatly reduce the system maintenance, which is conducive to transportable and unattended operation. A preliminary observational result obtained with this solid-state sodium Doppler lidar was also reported in this paper.

Designing Birefringent Filters For Solid-State Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monosmith, Bryan

1992-01-01

Mathematical model enables design of filter assembly of birefringent plates as integral part of resonator cavity of tunable solid-state laser. Proper design treats polarization eigenstate of entire resonator as function of wavelength. Program includes software modules for variety of optical elements including Pockels cell, laser rod, quarter- and half-wave plates, Faraday rotator, and polarizers.

Pulsed solid state lasers for medicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kertesz, Ivan; Danileiko, A. Y.; Denker, Boris I.; Kroo, Norbert; Osiko, Vyacheslav V.; Prokhorov, Alexander M.

1994-02-01

The effect on living tissues of different pulsed solid state lasers: Nd:YAG ((lambda) equals 1.06 micrometers ) Er:glass (1.54 micrometers ), Ho:YAG (2.1 micrometers ) and Er:YAG (2.94 micrometers ) is compared with the continuous wave Nd:YAG- and CO2-lasers used in operating theaters. Portable Er:glass- and Er:YAG-lasers are developed for surgery/cosmetics and HIV-safe blood testing.

Solid state laser media driven by remote nuclear powered fluorescence

DOEpatents

Prelas, Mark A.

1992-01-01

An apparatus is provided for driving a solid state laser by a nuclear powered fluorescence source which is located remote from the fluorescence source. A nuclear reaction produced in a reaction chamber generates fluorescence or photons. The photons are collected from the chamber into a waveguide, such as a fiber optic waveguide. The waveguide transports the photons to the remote laser for exciting the laser.

Two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole using a low power green solid state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luchowski, Rafal

2011-01-01

This Letter concerns two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) upon illumination from a pulsed 532 nm solid state laser, with an average power of 30 mW, and a repetition rate of 20 MHz. A very agreeable emission spectrum position and shape has been achieved for PPO receiving one- and two-photon excitation, which suggests that the same excited state is involved for both excitation modes. Also, a perfect quadratic dependence of laser power in the emission intensity function has been recorded. We tested the application of a small solid state green laser to two-photon induced time-resolved fluorescence, revealing the emission anisotropy of PPO to be considerably higher for two-photon than for one-photon excitation.

Advances in High Energy Solid-State 2-micron Laser Transmitter Development for Ground and Airborne Wind and CO2 Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.; Yu, Jirong; Petros, Mulugeta; Chen, Songsheng; Kavaya, Michael J.; Trieu, Bo; Bai, Yingxin; Petzar, Paul; Modlin, Edward A.; Koch, Grady;

Progress on High-Energy 2-micron Solid State Laser for NASA Space-Based Wind and Carbon Dioxide Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.

2011-01-01

Sustained research efforts at NASA Langley Research Center during last fifteen years have resulted in significant advancement of a 2-micron diode-pumped, solid-state laser transmitter for wind and carbon dioxide measurements from ground, air and space-borne platforms. Solid-state 2-micron laser is a key subsystem for a coherent Doppler lidar that measures the horizontal and vertical wind velocities with high precision and resolution. The same laser, after a few modifications, can also be used in a Differential Absorption Lidar system for measuring atmospheric CO2 concentration profiles. Researchers at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a compact, flight capable, high energy, injection seeded, 2-micron laser transmitter for ground and airborne wind and carbon dioxide measurements. It is capable of producing 250 mJ at 10 Hz by an oscillator and one amplifier. This compact laser transmitter was integrated into a mobile trailer based coherent Doppler wind and CO2 DIAL system and was deployed during field measurement campaigns. This paper will give an overview of 2-micron solid-state laser technology development and discuss results from recent ground-based field measurements.

A flexible master oscillator for a pulse-burst laser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Den Hartog, D. J.; Young, W. C.

2015-12-01

A new master oscillator is being installed in the pulse-burst laser system used for high-rep-rate Thomson scattering on the MST experiment. This new master oscillator will enable pulse repetition rates up to 1 MHz, with the ability to program a burst of pulses with arbitrary and varying time separation between each pulse. In addition, the energy of each master oscillator pulse can be adjusted to compensate for gain variations in the power amplifier section of the laser system. This flexibility is accomplished by chopping a CW laser source with a high-bandwidth acousto-optic modulator (AOM). The laser source is a Laser Quantum ventus 1064 diode-pumped solid-state laser with continuous output power variable from 100 to 500 mW. The 1064 nm, 2.7 mm diameter polarized beam is focused into the gallium phosphide crystal of a Brimrose AOM, which deflects the beam by approximately 60 mR when driven by the 400 MHz fixed frequency driver. Beam deflection is controlled by a simple digital input pulse, and is capable of producing deflected pulses of less than 20 ns width at repetition rates much greater than 1 MHz. These deflected pulses from the output of the AOM are collimated and propagated into the laser amplifier system, where they will be amplified to ~ 2 J/pulse and injected into the MST plasma.

Solid State Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-21

266-nm, l-,W, 500-ps laser pulse from a frequency-quadrupled Nd:YAG microchip laser operating at 10 kHz. Fluorescence and elastic scattering from the...on Solid State Research xv Organization xxiii QUANTUM ELECTRONICS 1.1 Fluorescence-Cued Laser -Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Detection of Bioaerosols...2. ELECTRO-OfI’ICAL MATERIALS AND DEVICES 2.1 Narrow-Linewidth, High-Power 1556-nm Slab-Coupled Optical Waveguide External-Cavity Laser 7 3

Solid state laser communications in space (SOLACOS) position, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystem implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flemmig, Joerg; Pribil, Klaus

1994-09-01

This paper presents the concept and implementation aspects of the Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking Subsystem (PAT) which is developed in the frame of the SOLACOS (Solid State Laser Communications in Space) program.

Research Laboratory of Electronic Progress Report Number 135.

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-01

78 @ 1.12 Ultrashort Pulse Generation in Solid State Lasers ...generation the use of intracavity self-phase-modulation and of ultrashort laser pulses is essential for studies of negative group velocity dispersion... pulses . Our studies focus on exploiting mode locked solid state lasers . While the dominant the short pulse durations and high peak intensity of effect of

Coherent Doppler lidar for automated space vehicle, rendezvous, station-keeping and capture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunkin, James A.

1991-01-01

Recent advances in eye-safe, short wavelength solid-state lasers offer real potential for the development of compact, reliable, light-weight, efficient coherent lidar. Laser diode pumping of these devices has been demonstrated, thereby eliminating the need for flash lamp pumping, which has been a major drawback to the use of these lasers in space based applications. Also these lasers now have the frequency stability required to make them useful in coherent lidar, which offers all of the advantages of non-coherent lidar, but with the additional advantage that direct determination of target velocity is possible by measurement of the Doppler shift. By combining the Doppler velocity measurement capability with the inherent high angular resolution and range accuracy of lidar it is possible to construct Doppler images of targets for target motion assessment. A coherent lidar based on a Tm,Ho:YAG 2-micrometer wavelength laser was constructed and successfully field tested on atmospheric targets in 1990. This lidar incorporated an all solid state (laser diode pumped) master oscillator, in conjunction with a flash lamp pumped slave oscillator. Solid-state laser technology is rapidly advancing, and with the advent of high efficiency, high power, semiconductor laser diodes as pump sources, all-solid-state, coherent lidars are a real possibility in the near future. MSFC currently has a feasibility demonstration effort under way which will involve component testing, and preliminary design of an all-solid-state, coherent lidar for automatic rendezvous, and capture. This two year effort, funded by the Director's Discretionary Fund is due for completion in 1992.

Tunable femtosecond lasers with low pump thresholds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oppo, Karen

The work in this thesis is concerned with the development of tunable, femtosecond laser systems, exhibiting low pump threshold powers. The main motive for this work was the development of a low threshold, self-modelocked Ti:Al2O3 laser in order to replace the conventional large-frame argon-ion pump laser with a more compact and efficient all-solid-state alternative. Results are also presented for an all-solid-state, self-modelocked Cr:LiSAF laser, however most of this work is concerned with self-modelocked Ti:Al2O3 laser systems. In chapter 2, the operation of a regeneratively-initiated, and a hard-aperture self- modelocked Ti:Al2O3 laser, pumped by an argon-ion laser, is discussed. Continuous- wave oscillation thresholds as low as 160mW have been demonstrated, along with self-modelocked threshold powers as low as 500mW. The measurement and suppression of phase noise on modelocked lasers is discussed in chapter 3. This is followed by a comparison of the phase noise characteristics of the regeneratively-initiated, and hard-aperture self-modelocked Ti:Al2O3 lasers. The use of a synchronously-operating, high resolution electron-optical streak camera in the evaluation of timing jitter is also presented. In chapter 4, the construction and self-modelocked operation of an all-solid-state Ti:Al2O3 laser is described. The all-solid-state alternative to the conventional argon-ion pump laser was a continuous-wave, intracavity-frequency doubled, diode-laser pumped Nd:YLF ring laser. At a total diode-laser pump power of 10W, this minilaser was capable of producing a single frequency output of 1W, at 523.5nm in a TEM00 beam. The remainder of this thesis looks at the operation of a self-modelocked Ti:Al2O3 laser generating ultrashort pulses at wavelengths as long as 1053nm. The motive for this work was the development of an all-solid-state, self- modelocked Ti:Al2O3 laser operating at 1053nm, for use as a master oscillator in a Nd:glass power chain.

The LIFE Laser Design in Context: A Comparison to the State-of-the-Art

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

Deri, R J; Bayramian, A J; Erlandson, A C

2011-03-21

The current point design for the LIFE laser leverages decades of solid-state laser development in order to achieve the performance and attributes required for inertial fusion energy. This document provides a brief comparison of the LIFE laser point design to other state-of-the-art solid-state lasers. Table I compares the attributes of the current LIFE laser point design to other systems. the state-of-the-art for single-shot performance at fusion-relevant beamline energies is exemplified by performance observed on the National Ignition Facility. The state-of-the-art for high average power is exemplified by the Northrup Grumman JHPSSL laser. Several items in Table I deal with themore » laser efficiency; a more detailed discussion of efficiency can be found in reference 5. The electrical-to-optical efficiency of the LIFE design exceeds that of reference 4 due to the availability of higher efficiency laser diode pumps (70% vs. {approx}50% used in reference 4). LIFE diode pumps are discussed in greater detail in reference 6. The 'beam steering' state of the art is represented by the deflection device that will be used in the LIFE laser, not a laser system. Inspection of Table I shows that most LIFE laser attributes have already been experimentally demonstrated. The two cases where the LIFE design is somewhat better than prior experimental work do not involve the development of new concepts: beamline power is increased simply by increasing aperture (as demonstrated by the power/aperture comparison in Table I), and efficiency increases are achieved by employing state-of-the-art diode pumps. In conclusion, the attributes anticipated for the LIFE laser are consistent with the demonstrated performance of existing solid-state lasers.« less

49 CFR 383.153 - Information on the CLP and CDL documents and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., digitized color image, or black and white laser engraved photograph of the driver. The State may issue a... to, contain a digital color image or photograph or black and white laser engraved photograph. (2) All... CMV carrying passengers, other than Federal/State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other...

49 CFR 383.153 - Information on the CLP and CDL documents and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., digitized color image, or black and white laser engraved photograph of the driver. The State may issue a... to, contain a digital color image or photograph or black and white laser engraved photograph. (2) All... CMV carrying passengers, other than Federal/State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other...

Thermal management in inertial fusion energy slab amplifiers

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

Sutton, S.B.; Albrecht, G.F.

As the technology associated with the development of solid-state drivers for inertial fusion energy (IFE) has evolved, increased emphasis has been placed on the development of an efficient approach for managing the waste heat generated in the laser media. This paper addresses the technical issues associated with the gas cooling of large aperture slabs, where the laser beam propagates through the cooling fluid. It is shown that the major consequence of proper thermal management is the introduction of simple wedge, or beam steering, into the system. Achieving proper thermal management requires careful consideration of the geometry, cooling fluid characteristics, coolingmore » flow characteristics, as well as the thermal/mechanical/optical characteristics of the laser media. Particularly important are the effects of cooling rate variation and turbulent scattering on the system optical performance. Helium is shown to have an overwhelming advantage with respect to turbulent scattering losses. To mitigate cooling rate variations, the authors introduce the concept of flow conditioning. Finally, optical path length variations across the aperture are calculated. A comparison of two laser materials (S-FAP and YAG) shows the benefit of a nearly a-thermal material on optical variations in the system.« less

FY00 LDRD Final Report High Power IFE Driver Component Development 00-SI-009

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

Bibeau, C; Schaffers, K; Tassano, J

We have begun building the ''Mercury'' laser system as the first in a series of new generation diode-pumped solid-state lasers for target physics research. Mercury will integrate three key technologies: diodes, crystals, and gas cooling, within a unique laser architecture that is scalable to kilojoule and megajoule energy levels for fusion energy applications. The primary near-term performance goals include 10% electrical efficiencies at 10 Hz and 100 J with a 2-10 ns pulse length at 1.047 {micro}m wavelength. Currently, this review concentrates on the critical development and production of Yb:S-FAP crystals. After solving many defect issues that can be presentmore » in the crystals, reproducibility is the final issue that needs to be resolved. We have enlisted the help of national experts and have strongly integrated two capable commercial crystal growth companies (Litton-Airton/Synoptics and Scientific Materials) into the effort, and have solicited the advice of Robert Morris (retired from Allied Signal), a recognized international expert in high temperature oxide growth.« less

Efficiency and threshold pump intensity of CW solar-pumped solid-state lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, In H.; Lee, Ja H.

1991-01-01

The authors consider the relation between the threshold pumping intensity, the material properties, the resonator parameters, and the ultimate slope efficiencies of various solid-state laser materials for solar pumping. They clarify the relation between the threshold pump intensity and the material parameters and the relation between the ultimate slope efficiency and the laser resonator parameters such that a design criterion for the solar-pumped solid-state laser can be established. Among the laser materials evaluated, alexandrite has the highest slope efficiency of about 12.6 percent; however, it does not seem to be practical for a solar-pumped laser application because of its high threshold pump intensity. Cr:Nd:GSGG is the most promising for solar-pumped lasing. Its threshold pump intensity is about 100 air-mass-zero (AM0) solar constants and its slope efficiency is about 12 percent when thermal deformation is completely prevented.

DPSSL and FL pumps based on 980-nm telecom pump laser technology: changing the industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lichtenstein, Norbert; Schmidt, Berthold E.; Fily, Arnaud; Weiss, Stefan; Arlt, Sebastian; Pawlik, Susanne; Sverdlov, Boris; Muller, Jurgen; Harder, Christoph S.

2004-06-01

Diode-pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) and fiber laser (FL) are believed to become the dominant systems of very high power lasers in the industrial environment. Today, ranging from 100 W to 5 - 10 kW in light output power, their field of applications spread from biomedical and sensoring to material processing. Key driver for the wide spread of such systems is a competitive ratio of cost, performance and reliability. Enabling high power, highly reliable broad-area laser diodes and laser diode bars with excellent performance at the relevant wavelengths can further optimize this ratio. In this communication we present, that this can be achieved by leveraging the tremendous improvements in reliability and performance together with the high volume, low cost manufacturing areas established during the "telecom-bubble." From today's generations of 980-nm narrow-stripe laser diodes 1.8 W of maximum CW output power can be obtained fulfilling the stringent telecom reliability at operating conditions. Single-emitter broad-area lasers deliver in excess of 11 W CW while from similar 940-nm laser bars more than 160 W output power (CW) can be obtained at 200 A. In addition, introducing telecom-grade AuSn-solder mounting technology on expansion matched subassemblies enables excellent reliability performance. Degradation rates of less than 1% over 1000 h at 60 A are observed for both 808-nm and 940-nm laser bars even under harsh intermittent operation conditions.

Color speckle in laser displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuroda, Kazuo

2015-07-01

At the beginning of this century, lighting technology has been shifted from discharge lamps, fluorescent lamps and electric bulbs to solid-state lighting. Current solid-state lighting is based on the light emitting diodes (LED) technology, but the laser lighting technology is developing rapidly, such as, laser cinema projectors, laser TVs, laser head-up displays, laser head mounted displays, and laser headlamps for motor vehicles. One of the main issues of laser displays is the reduction of speckle noise1). For the monochromatic laser light, speckle is random interference pattern on the image plane (retina for human observer). For laser displays, RGB (red-green-blue) lasers form speckle patterns independently, which results in random distribution of chromaticity, called color speckle2).

Generation of high powers from diode pumped chromium-3+ doped colquiriites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichenholz, Jason Matthew

1998-12-01

There is considerable interest in the area of laser diode pumped solid-state lasers. Diode pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL) operating at high average power levels are attractive light sources for various applications such as materials processing, laser radar, and fundamental physics experiments. These laser systems have become more commonplace because of their efficiency, reliability, compactness, low relative cost, and long operational lifetimes. Induced thermal effects in the solid-state laser medium hinder the scaling of DPSSL's to higher average power levels. Therefore a deep insight into the thermo-mechanical properties of the solid state laser is crucial in order to ensure a laser design which is optimized for high average power operation. A comprehensive study of the factors that contribute to thermal loading of the colquiriites was performed. A three-dimensional thermal model has been created to determine the temperature rise inside the laser crystal. This new model calculates the temperature distribution by considering quantum defect, upconversion, and upper-state lifetime quenching as heating sources. The thermally induced lensing in end pumped Cr3+ doped LiSrAlF6, LiSrGaF6, LiSrCaAlF6, and LiCaAlF6 were experimentally measured. Several diode pumped colquiriite laser systems were assembled to quantitatively observe and identify thermally induced effects. Significant differences in each of the colquiriite materials were observed. These differences are explained by the differences in the thermo-mechanical and thermo-optical properties of the material and are explained by the theoretical thermal model.

Lidar Measurements of the Stratosphere and Mesosphere at the Biejing Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Lifang; Yang, Guotao; Cheng, Xuewu; Wang, Jihong

With the high precision and high spatial and temporal resolution, the lidar has become a powerful weapon of near space environment monitoring. This paper describes the development of the solid-state 532nm and 589nm laser radar, which were used to detect the wind field of Beijing stratosphere and mesopause field. The injection seeding technique and atomic absorption saturation bubble frequency stabilization method was used to obtain narrow linewidth of 532nm lidar, Wherein the laser pulse energy of 800mJ, repetition rate of 30Hz. The 589nm yellow laser achieved by extra-cavity sum-frequency mixing 1064nm and 1319nm pulse laser with KTP crystal. The base frequency of 1064nm and 1319nm laser adopted injection seeding technique and YAG laser amplification for high energy pulse laser. Ultimately, the laser pulse of 150mJ and the linewidth of 130MHz of 589nm laser was obtain. And after AOM crystal frequency shift, Doppler frequency discriminator free methods achieved of the measuring of high-altitude wind. Both of 532nm and 589nm lidar system for engineering design of solid-state lidar provides a basis, and also provide a solid foundation for the development of all-solid-state wind lidar.

Distributed solid state programmable thermostat/power controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Dennis A. (Inventor); Alexander, Jane C. (Inventor); Howard, David E. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A self-contained power controller having a power driver switch, programmable controller, communication port, and environmental parameter measuring device coupled to a controllable device. The self-contained power controller needs only a single voltage source to power discrete devices, analog devices, and the controlled device. The programmable controller has a run mode which, when selected, upon the occurrence of a trigger event changes the state of a power driver switch and wherein the power driver switch is maintained by the programmable controller at the same state until the occurrence of a second event.

Tunable, rare earth-doped solid state lasers

DOEpatents

Emmett, John L.; Jacobs, Ralph R.; Krupke, William F.; Weber, Marvin J.

1980-01-01

Laser apparatus comprising combinations of an excimer pump laser and a rare earth-doped solid matrix, utilizing the 5d-4f radiative transition in a rare earth ion to produce visible and ultra-violet laser radiation with high overall efficiency in selected cases and relatively long radiative lifetimes.

In-Flight Performance of the Mercury Laser Altimeter Laser Transmitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Anthony W.; Sun, Xiaoli; Li, Steven X.; Cavanaugh, John F.; Neumann, Gregory A.

2014-01-01

The Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) is one of the payload instruments on the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft, which was launched on August 3, 2004. MLA maps Mercury's shape and topographic landforms and other surface characteristics using a diode-pumped solid-state laser transmitter and a silicon avalanche photodiode receiver that measures the round-trip time of individual laser pulses. The laser transmitter has been operating nominally during planetary flyby measurements and in orbit about Mercury since March 2011. In this paper, we review the MLA laser transmitter telemetry data and evaluate the performance of solid-state lasers under extended operation in a space environment.

Bio-optimized energy transfer in densely packed fluorescent protein enables near-maximal luminescence and solid-state lasers.

PubMed

Gather, Malte C; Yun, Seok Hyun

2014-12-08

Bioluminescent organisms are likely to have an evolutionary drive towards high radiance. As such, bio-optimized materials derived from them hold great promise for photonic applications. Here, we show that biologically produced fluorescent proteins retain their high brightness even at the maximum density in solid state through a special molecular structure that provides optimal balance between high protein concentration and low resonance energy transfer self-quenching. Dried films of green fluorescent protein show low fluorescence quenching (-7 dB) and support strong optical amplification (gnet=22 cm(-1); 96 dB cm(-1)). Using these properties, we demonstrate vertical cavity surface emitting micro-lasers with low threshold (<100 pJ, outperforming organic semiconductor lasers) and self-assembled all-protein ring lasers. Moreover, solid-state blends of different proteins support efficient Förster resonance energy transfer, with sensitivity to intermolecular distance thus allowing all-optical sensing. The design of fluorescent proteins may be exploited for bio-inspired solid-state luminescent molecules or nanoparticles.

Bio-optimized energy transfer in densely packed fluorescent protein enables near-maximal luminescence and solid-state lasers

PubMed Central

Gather, Malte C.; Yun, Seok Hyun

2015-01-01

Bioluminescent organisms are likely to have an evolutionary drive towards high radiance. As such, bio-optimized materials derived from them hold great promise for photonic applications. Here we show that biologically produced fluorescent proteins retain their high brightness even at the maximum density in solid state through a special molecular structure that provides optimal balance between high protein concentration and low resonance energy transfer self-quenching. Dried films of green fluorescent protein show low fluorescence quenching (−7 dB) and support strong optical amplification (gnet = 22 cm−1; 96 dB cm−1). Using these properties, we demonstrate vertical cavity surface emitting micro-lasers with low threshold (<100 pJ, outperforming organic semiconductor lasers) and self-assembled all-protein ring lasers. Moreover, solid-state blends of different proteins support efficient Förster resonance energy transfer, with sensitivity to intermolecular distance thus allowing all-optical sensing. The design of fluorescent proteins may be exploited for bio-inspired solid-state luminescent molecules or nanoparticles. PMID:25483850

High energy efficient solid state laser sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1987-01-01

Diode-laser-pumped solid-state laser oscillators and nonlinear processes were investigated. A new generation on nonplanar oscillator was fabricated, and it is anticipated that passive linewidths will be pushed to the kilohertz regime. A number of diode-pumped laser transitions were demonstrated in the rod configuration. Second-harmonic conversion efficiencies as high as 15% are routinely obtained in a servo-locked external resonant doubling crystal at 15 mW cw input power levels at 1064 nm.

Solid-state resistor for pulsed power machines

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

Stoltzfus, Brian; Savage, Mark E.; Hutsel, Brian Thomas

2016-12-06

A flexible solid-state resistor comprises a string of ceramic resistors that can be used to charge the capacitors of a linear transformer driver (LTD) used in a pulsed power machine. The solid-state resistor is able to absorb the energy of a switch prefire, thereby limiting LTD cavity damage, yet has a sufficiently low RC charge time to allow the capacitor to be recharged without disrupting the operation of the pulsed power machine.

Laser waveform control of extreme ultraviolet high harmonics from solids.

PubMed

You, Yong Sing; Wu, Mengxi; Yin, Yanchun; Chew, Andrew; Ren, Xiaoming; Gholam-Mirzaei, Shima; Browne, Dana A; Chini, Michael; Chang, Zenghu; Schafer, Kenneth J; Gaarde, Mette B; Ghimire, Shambhu

2017-05-01

Solid-state high-harmonic sources offer the possibility of compact, high-repetition-rate attosecond light emitters. However, the time structure of high harmonics must be characterized at the sub-cycle level. We use strong two-cycle laser pulses to directly control the time-dependent nonlinear current in single-crystal MgO, leading to the generation of extreme ultraviolet harmonics. We find that harmonics are delayed with respect to each other, yielding an atto-chirp, the value of which depends on the laser field strength. Our results provide the foundation for attosecond pulse metrology based on solid-state harmonics and a new approach to studying sub-cycle dynamics in solids.

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.

High-power pulse repetitive HF(DF) laser with a solid-state pump generator

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

Velikanov, S D; Domazhirov, A P; Zaretskiy, N A

2015-11-30

Operation of a repetitively pulsed electric-discharge HF(DF) laser with an all-solid-state pump generator based on FID switches is demonstrated. The energy stored in the pump generator capacitors was 880 J at an open-circuit voltage of 240 kV and a discharge pulse repetition rate of 25 Hz. The specific energy extractions were 3.8 and 3.4 J L{sup -1} for the HF and DF lasers, respectively. The possibilities of improving the output laser characteristics are discussed. (lasers)

Small lasers in flow cytometry.

PubMed

Telford, William G

2004-01-01

Laser technology has made tremendous advances in recent years, particularly in the area of diode and diode-pumped solid state sources. Flow cytometry has been a direct beneficiary of these advances, as these small, low-maintenance, inexpensive lasers with reasonable power outputs are integrated into flow cytometers. In this chapter we review the contribution and potential of solid-state lasers to flow cytometry, and show several examples of these novel sources integrated into production flow cytometers. Technical details and critical parameters for successful application of these lasers for biomedical analysis are reviewed.

Tunable solid-state lasers - An emerging technology for remote sensing of planetary atmospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, Norman P.; Allario, Frank

1988-01-01

The present development status and prospective (1990s) performance-improvement evaluation of tunable solid-state laser technology notes recent trends toward spectrum coverage over the 0.20-14.0 microns range, in addition to dramatic increases in efficiency, service life, and reliability. It is judged that the Ti:Al2O3 laser and the AgGaSe2 optical parametric oscillator pumped by a Ho:YAG laser could cover the near-IR and mid-IR regions of the spectrum. Laser diodes operating at 0.78 microns should provide an excellent pump for a Ho:YAG laser.

Solid-state lasers for coherent communication and remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1991-01-01

Work in the stabilization of monolithic Nd:YAG lasers and the application of these lasers to nonlinear optical frequency conversion is discussed. The intrinsic stability of semiconductor diode laser pumped solid state lasers has facilitated a number of demonstration in external resonant cavity harmonic generation and stable optical parametric oscillation. Relative laser frequency stabilization of 0.3 Hz was achieved, and absolute stability of a few hundred hertz is anticipated. The challenge is now to reproduce this frequency stability in the output of tunable nonlinear optical devices. Theoretical and experimental work toward this goal are continuing.

Analysis of measurements for solid state laser remote lidar system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amzajerdian, Farzin

1995-01-01

The merits of using lidar systems for remote measurements of various atmospheric processes such as wind, turbulence, moisture, and aerosol concentration are widely recognized. Although the lidar technology has progressed considerably over the past two decades, significant research particularly in the area of solid state lidars remains to be conducted in order to fully exploit this technology. The work performed by the UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville) personnel under this Delivery Order concentrated on analyses of measurements required in support of solid state laser remote sensing lidar systems which are to be designed, deployed, and used to measure atmospheric processes and constituents. UAH personnel has studied and recommended to NASA/MSFC the requirements of the optical systems needed to characterize the detection devices suitable for solid state wavelengths and to evaluate various heterodyne detection schemes. The 2-micron solid state laser technology was investigated and several preliminary laser designs were developed and their performance for remote sensing of atmospheric winds and clouds from a spaceborne platform were specified. In addition to the laser source and the detector, the other critical technologies necessary for global wind measurements by a spaceborne solid state coherent lidar systems were identified to be developed and demonstrated. As part of this work, an analysis was performed to determine the atmospheric wind velocity estimation accuracy using the line-of-sight measurements of a scanning coherent lidar. Under this delivery order, a computer database of materials related to the theory, development, testing, and operation of lidar systems was developed to serve as a source of information for lidar research and development.

Mathematical modeling of a Ti:sapphire solid-state laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swetits, John J.

1987-01-01

The project initiated a study of a mathematical model of a tunable Ti:sapphire solid-state laser. A general mathematical model was developed for the purpose of identifying design parameters which will optimize the system, and serve as a useful predictor of the system's behavior.

High speed real-time wavefront processing system for a solid-state laser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yuan; Yang, Ping; Chen, Shanqiu; Ma, Lifang; Xu, Bing

2008-03-01

A high speed real-time wavefront processing system for a solid-state laser beam cleanup system has been built. This system consists of a core2 Industrial PC (IPC) using Linux and real-time Linux (RT-Linux) operation system (OS), a PCI image grabber, a D/A card. More often than not, the phase aberrations of the output beam from solid-state lasers vary fast with intracavity thermal effects and environmental influence. To compensate the phase aberrations of solid-state lasers successfully, a high speed real-time wavefront processing system is presented. Compared to former systems, this system can improve the speed efficiently. In the new system, the acquisition of image data, the output of control voltage data and the implementation of reconstructor control algorithm are treated as real-time tasks in kernel-space, the display of wavefront information and man-machine conversation are treated as non real-time tasks in user-space. The parallel processing of real-time tasks in Symmetric Multi Processors (SMP) mode is the main strategy of improving the speed. In this paper, the performance and efficiency of this wavefront processing system are analyzed. The opened-loop experimental results show that the sampling frequency of this system is up to 3300Hz, and this system can well deal with phase aberrations from solid-state lasers.

Novel diode laser-based sensors for gas sensing applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tittel, F. K.; Lancaster, D. G.; Richter, D.

2000-01-01

The development of compact spectroscopic gas sensors and their applications to environmental sensing will be described. These sensors employ mid-infrared difference-frequency generation (DFG) in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystals pumped by two single-frequency solid state lasers such as diode lasers, diode-pumped solid state, and fiber lasers. Ultrasensitive, highly selective, and real-time measurements of several important atmospheric trace gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde [correction of formaldehye], and methane, have been demonstrated.

Method and system for communicating with a laser power driver

DOEpatents

Telford, Steven

2017-07-18

A system for controlling a plurality of laser diodes includes an optical transmitter coupled to the laser diode driver for each laser diode. An optical signal including bi-phase encoded data is provided to each laser diode driver. The optical signal includes current level and pulse duration information at which each of the diodes is to be driven. Upon receiving a trigger signal, the laser diode drivers operate the laser diodes using the current level and pulse duration information to output a laser beam.

Laser interferometric studies of thermal effects of diode-pumped solid state lasing medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Xiaoyuan; Asundi, Anand K.; Xu, Lei; Chen, Yihong; Xiong, Zhengjun; Lim, Gnian Cher

2000-04-01

Thermal effects dramatically influence the laser performance of diode-pumped solid state lasers (DPSSL). There are three factors accounting for thermal effects in diode-pumped laser medium: the change of the refractive index due to temperature gradient, the change of the refractive index due to thermal stress, and the change of the physical length due to thermal expansion (end effect), in which the first two effects can be called as thermal parts. A laser interferometer is proposed to measure both the bulk and physical messages of solid-state lasing medium. There are two advantages of the laser interferometry to determine the thermal lensing effect. One is that it allows separating the average thermal lens into thermal parts and end effect. Another is that the laser interferometry provides a non- invasive, full field, high-resolution means of diagnosing such effects by measuring the optical path difference induced by thermal loading in a lasing crystal reliable without disturbing the normal working conditions of the DPSS laser. Relevant measurement results are presented in this paper.

Space Operation of the MOLA Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Afzal, Robert S.

2000-01-01

Interest in lasers for space applications such as active remote sensing in Earth orbit, planetary science, and inter-satellite laser communications is growing. These instruments typically use diode-pumped solid state lasers for the laser transmitter. The mission specifications and constraints of space qualification, place strict requirements on the design and operation of the laser. Although a laser can be built in the laboratory to meet performance specifications relatively routinely, tile mission constraints demand unique options and compromises in the materials used, and design to ensure the success of the mission. Presently, the best laser architecture for a light weight, rugged, high peak power and efficient transmitter is a diode laser pumped ND:YAG laser. Diode lasers can often obviate the need for water cooling, reduce the size and weight of the laser, increase the electrical to optical efficiency, system reliability, and lifetime. This paper describes the in-space operation and performance of the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) laser transmitter, representing the current state-of-the-art in space-based solid- state lasers.

Solid-State Division progress report for period ending March 31, 1983

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

Green, P.H.; Watson, D.M.

1983-09-01

Progress and activities are reported on: theoretical solid-state physics (surfaces; electronic, vibrational, and magnetic properties; particle-solid interactions; laser annealing), surface and near-surface properties of solids (surface, plasma-material interactions, ion implantation and ion-beam mixing, pulsed-laser and thermal processing), defects in solids (radiation effects, fracture, impurities and defects, semiconductor physics and photovoltaic conversion), transport properties of solids (fast-ion conductors, superconductivity, mass and charge transport in materials), neutron scattering (small-angle scattering, lattice dynamics, magnetic properties, structure and instrumentation), and preparation and characterization of research materials (growth and preparative methods, nuclear waste forms, special materials). (DLC)

Theoretical and experimental analysis of injection seeding a Q-switched alexandrite laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, C. R.; Lee, H. S.; Glesne, T. R.; Monosmith, B.; Schwemmer, G. K.

1991-01-01

Injection seeding is a method for achieving linewidths of less than 500 MHz in the output of broadband, tunable, solid state lasers. Dye lasers, CW and pulsed diode lasers, and other solid state lasers have been used as injection seeders. By optimizing the fundamental laser parameters of pump energy, Q-switched pulse build-up time, injection seed power and mode matching, one can achieve significant improvements in the spectral purity of the Q-switched output. These parameters are incorporated into a simple model for analyzing spectral purity and pulse build-up processes in a Q-switched, injection-seeded laser. Experiments to optimize the relevant parameters of an alexandrite laser show good agreement.

Pointing and Jitter Control for the USNA Multi-Beam Combining System

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-10

previous work, an adaptive H-infinity optimal controller has been developed to control a single beam using a beam position detector for feedback... turbulence and airborne particles, platform jitter, lack of feedback from the target , and current laser technology represent just a few of these...lasers. Solid state lasers, however, cannot currently provide high enough power levels to destroy a target using a single beam. On solid-state

Analysis of Technology for Compact Coherent Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amzajerdian, Farzin

1997-01-01

In view of the recent advances in the area of solid state and semiconductor lasers has created new possibilities for the development of compact and reliable coherent lidars for a wide range of applications. These applications include: Automated Rendezvous and Capture, wind shear and clear air turbulence detection, aircraft wake vortex detection, and automobile collision avoidance. The work performed by the UAH personnel under this Delivery Order, concentrated on design and analyses of a compact coherent lidar system capable of measuring range and velocity of hard targets, and providing air mass velocity data. The following is the scope of this work. a. Investigate various laser sources and optical signal detection configurations in support of a compact and lightweight coherent laser radar to be developed for precision range and velocity measurements of hard and fuzzy targets. Through interaction with MSFC engineers, the most suitable laser source and signal detection technique that can provide a reliable compact and lightweight laser radar design will be selected. b. Analyze and specify the coherent laser radar system configuration and assist with its optical and electronic design efforts. Develop a system design including its optical layout design. Specify all optical components and provide the general requirements of the electronic subsystems including laser beam modulator and demodulator drivers, detector electronic interface, and the signal processor. c. Perform a thorough performance analysis to predict the system measurement range and accuracy. This analysis will utilize various coherent laser radar sensitivity formulations and different target models.

Development of longitudinally excited CO2 laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masroon, N. S.; Tanaka, M.; Tei, M.; Uno, K.; Tsuyama, M.; Nakano, H.

2018-05-01

Simple, compact, and affordable discharged-pumped CO2 laser controlled by a fast high voltage solid state switch has been developed. In this study, longitudinal excitation scheme has been adapted for simple configuration. In the longitudinal excitation scheme, the discharge is produced along the direction of the laser axis, and the electrodes are well separated with a small discharge cross-section. Triggered spark gap switch is usually used to switch out the high voltage because of simple and low cost. However, the triggered spark gap operates in the arc mode and suffer from recovery problem causing a short life time and low efficiency for high repetition rate operation. As a result, there is now considerable interest in replacing triggered spark gap switch with solid state switches. Solid state switches have significant advantages compared to triggered spark gap switch which include longer service lifetime, low cost and stable high trigger pulse. We have developed simple and low cost fast high voltage solid state switch that consists of series connected-MOSFETs. It has been installed to the longitudinally excited CO2 laser to realize the gap switch less operation. Characteristics of laser oscillation by varying the discharge length, charging voltage, capacitance and gas pressure have been evaluated. Longer discharge length produce high power of laser oscillation. Optimum charging voltage and gas pressure were existed for longitudinally excited CO2 laser.

Corneal reshaping using a pulsed UV solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Qiushi; Simon, Gabriel; Parel, Jean-Marie A.; Shen, Jin-Hui; Takesue, Yoshiko

1993-06-01

Replacing the gas ArF (193 nm) excimer laser with a solid state laser source in the far-UV spectrum region would eliminate the hazards of a gas laser and would reduce its size which is desirable for photo-refractive keratectomy (PRK). In this study, we investigated corneal reshaping using a frequency-quintupled (213 nm) pulsed (10 ns) Nd:YAG laser coupled to a computer-controlled optical scanning delivery system. Corneal topographic measurements showed myopic corrections ranging from 2.3 to 6.1 diopters. Post-operative examination with the slit-lamp and operating microscope demonstrated a smoothly ablated surface without corneal haze. Histological results showed a smoothly sloping surface without recognizable steps. The surface quality and cellular effects were similar to that of previously described excimer PRK. Our study demonstrated that a UV solid state laser coupled to an optical scanning delivery system is capable of reshaping the corneal surface with the advantage of producing customized, aspheric corrections without corneal haze which may improve the quality of vision following PRK.

All solid-state SBS phase conjugate mirror

DOEpatents

Dane, Clifford B.; Hackel, Lloyd A.

1999-01-01

A stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) phase conjugate laser mirror uses a solid-state nonlinear gain medium instead of the conventional liquid or high pressure gas medium. The concept has been effectively demonstrated using common optical-grade fused silica. An energy threshold of 2.5 mJ and a slope efficiency of over 90% were achieved, resulting in an overall energy reflectivity of >80% for 15 ns, 1 um laser pulses. The use of solid-state materials is enabled by a multi-pass resonant architecture which suppresses transient fluctuations that would otherwise result in damage to the SBS medium. This all solid state phase conjugator is safer, more reliable, and more easily manufactured than prior art designs. It allows nonlinear wavefront correction to be implemented in industrial and defense laser systems whose operating environments would preclude the introduction of potentially hazardous liquids or high pressure gases.

All solid-state SBS phase conjugate mirror

DOEpatents

Dane, C.B.; Hackel, L.A.

1999-03-09

A stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) phase conjugate laser mirror uses a solid-state nonlinear gain medium instead of the conventional liquid or high pressure gas medium. The concept has been effectively demonstrated using common optical-grade fused silica. An energy threshold of 2.5 mJ and a slope efficiency of over 90% were achieved, resulting in an overall energy reflectivity of >80% for 15 ns, 1 um laser pulses. The use of solid-state materials is enabled by a multi-pass resonant architecture which suppresses transient fluctuations that would otherwise result in damage to the SBS medium. This all solid state phase conjugator is safer, more reliable, and more easily manufactured than prior art designs. It allows nonlinear wavefront correction to be implemented in industrial and defense laser systems whose operating environments would preclude the introduction of potentially hazardous liquids or high pressure gases. 8 figs.

Microchip solid-state cylindrical vector lasers with orthogonally polarized dual laser-diode end pumping.

PubMed

Otsuka, Kenju; Chu, Shu-Chun

2013-05-01

We report a simple method for generating cylindrical vector beams directly from laser-diode (LD)-pumped microchip solid-state lasers by using dual end-pumping beams. Radially as well as azimuthally polarized vector field emissions have been generated from the common c-cut Nd:GdVO4 laser cavity merely by controlling the focus positions of orthogonally polarized LD off-axis pump beams. Hyperbolically polarized vector fields have also been observed, in which the cylindrical symmetry of vector fields is broken. Experimental results have been well reproduced by numerical simulations.

100J Pulsed Laser Shock Driver for Dynamic Compression Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X.; Sethian, J.; Bromage, J.; Fochs, S.; Broege, D.; Zuegel, J.; Roides, R.; Cuffney, R.; Brent, G.; Zweiback, J.; Currier, Z.; D'Amico, K.; Hawreliak, J.; Zhang, J.; Rigg, P. A.; Gupta, Y. M.

2017-06-01

Logos Technologies and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE, University of Rochester) - in partnership with Washington State University - have designed, built and deployed a one of a kind 100J pulsed UV (351 nm) laser system to perform real-time, x-ray diffraction and imaging experiments in laser-driven compression experiments at the Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS) at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The laser complements the other dynamic compression drivers at DCS. The laser system features beam smoothing for 2-d spatially uniform loading of samples and four, highly reproducible, temporal profiles (total pulse duration: 5-15 ns) to accommodate a wide variety of scientific needs. Other pulse shapes can be achieved as the experimental needs evolve. Timing of the laser pulse is highly precise (<200 ps) to allow accurate synchronization of the x-rays with the dynamic compression event. Details of the laser system, its operating parameters, and representative results will be presented. Work supported by DOE/NNSA.

Organic Solid-State Tri-Wavelength Lasing from Holographic Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal and a Distributed Feedback Laser with a Doped Laser Dye and a Semiconducting Polymer Film.

PubMed

Liu, Minghuan; Liu, Yonggang; Peng, Zenghui; Wang, Shaoxin; Wang, Qidong; Mu, Quanquan; Cao, Zhaoliang; Xuan, Li

2017-05-07

Organic solid-state tri-wavelength lasing was demonstrated from dye-doped holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) distributed feedback (DFB) laser with semiconducting polymer poly[-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] (MEH-PPV) and laser dye [4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran] (DCM) by a one-step holography technique, which centered at 605.5 nm, 611.9 nm, and 671.1 nm. The temperature-dependence tuning range for the tri-wavelength dye-doped HPDLC DFB laser was as high as 8 nm. The lasing emission from the 9th order HPDLC DFB laser with MEH-PPV as active medium was also investigated, which showed excellent s-polarization characterization. The diffraction order is 9th and 8th for the dual-wavelength lasing with DCM as the active medium. The results of this work provide a method for constructing the compact and cost-effective all solid-state smart laser systems, which may find application in scientific and applied research where multi-wavelength radiation is required.

Cladding for transverse-pumped solid-state laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L. (Inventor); Fan, Tso Y. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

In a transverse pumped, solid state laser, a nonabsorptive cladding surrounds a gain medium. A single tranverse mode, namely the Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) sub 00 mode, is provided. The TEM sub 00 model has a cross sectional diameter greater than a transverse dimension of the gain medium but less than a transverse dimension of the cladding. The required size of the gain medium is minimized while a threshold for laser output is lowered.

Use of a novel tunable solid state disk laser as a diagnostic system for laser-induced fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paa, Wolfgang; Triebel, Wolfgang

2004-09-01

An all solid state disk laser system-named "Advanced Disk Laser (ADL)" -particularly tailored for laser induced fluorescence (LIF) in combustion processes is presented. The system currently under development comprises an Yb:YAG-seedlaser and a regenerative amplifier. Both are based on the disk laser concept as a new laser architecture. This allows a tunable, compact, efficient diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) system with repetition rates in the kHz region. After frequency conversion to the UV-spectral region via third and fourth harmonics generation, this laser-due to its unique properties such as single-frequency operation, wavelength tuneability and excellent beam profile-is well suited for excitation of small molecules such as formaldehyde, OH, NO or O2, which are characteristic for combustion processes. Using the method of planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) we observed concentration distributions of formaldehyde in cool and hot flames of a specially designed diethyl-ether burner. The images recorded with 1 kHz repetition rate allow visualizing the distribution of formaldehyde on a 1 ms time scale. This demonstrates for the first time the usability of this novel laser for LIF measurements and is the first step towards integration of the ADL into capsules for drop towers and the international space station.

X-ray diffraction study of laser-driven solid-state diffusional mixing and new phase formation in Ni-Pt multilayers [X-ray diffraction study of laser-driven solid-state diffusional mixing and new phase formation

DOE PAGES

Kelly, B. G.; Loether, A.; Unruh, K. M.; ...

2017-02-01

An in situ optical pump and x-ray probe technique has been utilized to study photoinitiated solid-state diffusion in a Ni-Pt multilayer system. Hard x-ray diffraction has been used to follow the systematic growth of the NiPt alloy as a function of laser intensity and total energy deposited. It is observed that new phase growth can be driven in as little as one laser pulse, and that repeated photoexcitation can completely convert the entire multilayer structure into a single metallic alloy. In conclusion, the data suggest that lattice strain relaxation takes place prior to atomic diffusion and the formation of amore » NiPt alloy.« less

X-ray diffraction study of laser-driven solid-state diffusional mixing and new phase formation in Ni-Pt multilayers [X-ray diffraction study of laser-driven solid-state diffusional mixing and new phase formation

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

Kelly, B. G.; Loether, A.; Unruh, K. M.

An in situ optical pump and x-ray probe technique has been utilized to study photoinitiated solid-state diffusion in a Ni-Pt multilayer system. Hard x-ray diffraction has been used to follow the systematic growth of the NiPt alloy as a function of laser intensity and total energy deposited. It is observed that new phase growth can be driven in as little as one laser pulse, and that repeated photoexcitation can completely convert the entire multilayer structure into a single metallic alloy. In conclusion, the data suggest that lattice strain relaxation takes place prior to atomic diffusion and the formation of amore » NiPt alloy.« less

U.S. Army High Energy Laser (HEL) technology program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavan, Michael J.; Wachs, John J.

2011-11-01

The US Army is investing in Solid State Laser (SSL) technology to assess counter rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) and counter unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) capabilities of solid state based HEL systems, as well as other potential applications for HELs of interest to the Army. The Army HEL program thrust areas are systematically moving the technology forward toward weaponization, including solid state laser technologies, advances in beam control technology, and conducting major demonstrations. The High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HELMD) will be a major step toward demonstrating HEL weapon capability to the soldier. The US Army will continue to pursue technologies that enable more compact systems compatible with, for example, a Stryker tactical vehicle as a crucial part of our strategy to provide a capability to the warfighter that can maneuver with the force.

Concepts and performance of solid state RGB laser sources for large-frame laser projection displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nebel, Achim; Wallenstein, Richard E.

2000-04-01

We report on concepts and the performance of diode pumped solid state laser systems which generate simultaneously red (R), green (G) and blue (B) laser light with output powers of up to 7.1 W at 629 nm, 6.9 W at 532 nm and 5.0 W at 446 nm. The superposition of this RGB radiation provides white light with a power of 19 W. In respect to the diode pump power of 110 W the RGB output corresponds to an optical efficiency of 17%.

Active frequency matching in stimulated Brillouin amplification for production of a 2.4  J, 200  ps laser pulse.

PubMed

Yuan, Hang; Wang, Yulei; Lu, Zhiwei; Zheng, Zhenxing

2018-02-01

A frequency matching Brillouin amplification in high-power solid-state laser systems is proposed. The energy extraction efficiency could be maintained at a high level in a non-collinear Brillouin amplification structure using an exact Stokes frequency shift. Laser pulses having a width of 200 ps and energy of 2.4 J were produced. This method can be used to transfer energy from a long pulse to a short pulse through a high-power solid-state laser system.

Design modeling of the 100-J diode-pumped solid-state laser for Project Mercury

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

Orth, C., LLNL

We present the energy, propagation, and thermal modeling for a diode-pumped solid-state laser called Mercury being designed and built at LLNL using Yb:S-FAP [i.e., Yb{sup 3+}-doped Sr{sub 5}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F crystals] for the gain medium. This laser is intended to produce 100 J pulses at 1 to 10 ns at 10 Hz with an electrical efficiency of {approximately}10%. Our modeling indicates that the laser will be able to meet its performance goals.

Chaotic dynamics and synchronization in microchip solid-state lasers with optoelectronic feedback.

PubMed

Uchida, Atsushi; Mizumura, Keisuke; Yoshimori, Shigeru

2006-12-01

We experimentally observe the dynamics of a two-mode Nd:YVO4 microchip solid-state laser with optoelectronic feedback. The total laser output is detected and fed back to the injection current of the laser diode for pumping. Chaotic oscillations are observed in the microchip laser with optoelectronic self-feedback. We also observe the dynamics of two microchip lasers coupled mutually with optoelectronic link. The output of one laser is detected by a photodiode and the electronic signal converted from the laser output is sent to the pumping of the other laser. Chaotic fluctuation of the laser output is observed when the relaxation oscillation frequency is close to each other between the two microchip lasers. Synchronization of periodic wave form is also obtained when the microchip lasers have a single-longitudinal mode.

Optimization of eyesafe avalanche photodiode lidar for automobile safety and autonomous navigation systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, George M.

2017-03-01

Newly emerging accident-reducing, driver-assistance, and autonomous-navigation technology for automobiles is based on real-time three-dimensional mapping and object detection, tracking, and classification using lidar sensors. Yet, the lack of lidar sensors suitable for meeting application requirements appreciably limits practical widespread use of lidar in trucking, public livery, consumer cars, and fleet automobiles. To address this need, a system-engineering perspective to eyesafe lidar-system design for high-level advanced driver-assistance sensor systems and a design trade study including 1.5-μm spot-scanned, line-scanned, and flash-lidar systems are presented. A cost-effective lidar instrument design is then proposed based on high-repetition-rate diode-pumped solid-state lasers and high-gain, low-excess-noise InGaAs avalanche photodiode receivers and focal plane arrays. Using probabilistic receiver-operating-characteristic analysis, derived from measured component performance, a compact lidar system is proposed that is capable of 220 m ranging with 5-cm accuracy, which can be readily scaled to a 360-deg field of regard.

Numerical study on the selective excitation of Helmholtz-Gauss beams in end-pumped solid-state digital lasers with the control of the laser gain transverse position provided by off-axis end pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Ko-Fan; Chu, Shu-Chun

2018-03-01

This study proposes a complete and unified method for selective excitation of any specified nearly nondiffracting Helmholtz-Gauss (HzG) beam in end-pumped solid-state digital lasers. Four types of the HzG beams: cosine-Gauss beams, Bessel-Gauss beams, Mathieu-Gauss beams, and, in particular, parabolic-Gauss beams are successfully demonstrated to be generated with the proposed methods. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, parabolic-Gauss beams have not yet been directly generated from any kind of laser system. The numerical results of this study show that one can successfully achieve any lasing HzG beams directly from the solid-state digital lasers with only added control of the laser gain transverse position provided by off-axis end pumping. This study also presents a practical digital laser set-up for easily manipulating off-axis pumping in order to achieve the control of the laser gain transverse gain position in digital lasers. The reported results in this study provide advancement of digital lasers in dynamically generating nondiffracting beams. The control of the digital laser cavity gain position creates the possibility of achieving real-time selection of more laser modes in digital lasers, and it is worth further investigation in the future.

Femtosecond all-solid-state laser for refractive surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zickler, Leander; Han, Meng; Giese, G.'nter; Loesel, Frieder H.; Bille, Josef F.

2003-06-01

Refractive surgery in the pursuit of perfect vision (e.g. 20/10) requires firstly an exact measurement of abberations induced by the eye and then a sophisticated surgical approach. A recent extension of wavefront measurement techniques and adaptive optics to ophthalmology has quantitatively characterized the quality of the human eye. The next milestone towards perfect vision is developing a more efficient and precise laser scalpel and evaluating minimal-invasive laser surgery strategies. Femtosecond all-solid-state MOPA lasers based on passive modelocking and chirped pulse amplification are excellent candidates for eye surgery due to their stability, ultra-high intensity and compact tabletop size. Furthermore, taking into account the peak emission in the near IR and diffraction limited focusing abilities, surgical laser systems performing precise intrastromal incisions for corneal flap resection and intrastromal corneal reshaping promise significant improvement over today's Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) techniques which utilize UV excimer lasers. Through dispersion control and optimized regenerative amplification, a compact femtosecond all-solid-state laser with pulsed energy well above LIOB threshold and kHz repetition rate is constructed. After applying a pulse sequence to the eye, the modified corneal morphology is investigated by high resolution microscopy (Multi Photon/SHG Confocal Microscope).

LLE review. Quarterly report, January 1994--March 1994, Volume 58

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

Simon, A.

1994-07-01

This volume of the LLE Review, covering the period Jan - Mar 1994, contains articles on backlighting diagnostics; the effect of electron collisions on ion-acoustic waves and heat flow; using PIC code simulations for analysis of ultrashort laser pulses interacting with solid targets; creating a new instrument for characterizing thick cryogenic layers; and a description of a large-aperture ring amplifier for laser-fusion drivers. Three of these articles - backlighting diagnostics; characterizing thick cryogenic layers; and large-aperture ring amplifier - are directly related to the OMEGA Upgrade, now under construction. Separate abstracts have been prepared for articles from this report.

An All-Solid-State High Repetiton Rate Titanium:Sapphire Laser System For Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattolat, C.; Rothe, S.; Schwellnus, F.; Gottwald, T.; Raeder, S.; Wendt, K.

2009-03-01

On-line production facilities for radioactive isotopes nowadays heavily rely on resonance ionization laser ion sources due to their demonstrated unsurpassed efficiency and elemental selectivity. Powerful high repetition rate tunable pulsed dye or Ti:sapphire lasers can be used for this purpose. To counteract limitations of short pulse pump lasers, as needed for dye laser pumping, i.e. copper vapor lasers, which include high maintenance and nevertheless often only imperfect reliability, an all-solid-state Nd:YAG pumped Ti:sapphire laser system has been constructed. This could complement or even replace dye laser systems, eliminating their disadvantages but on the other hand introduce shortcomings on the side of the available wavelength range. Pros and cons of these developments will be discussed.

Conceptual design of 100 TW solid state laser system

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

McMordie, J.A.

1995-12-31

Currently the main solid state laser facilities used for plasma physics research in the United Kingdom are the VULCAN laser at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the HELEN facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. In the future it is proposed to replace HELEN with a new 100 TW facility to come on line early in the next century. A brief review is given of the VULCAN and HELEN. Then the authors discuss the design for the HELEN replacement.

Advanced 2-micron Solid-state Laser for Wind and CO2 Lidar Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, Jirong; Trieu, Bo C.; Petros, Mulugeta; Bai, Yingxin; Petzar, Paul J.; Koch, Grady J.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

2006-01-01

Significant advancements in the 2-micron laser development have been made recently. Solid-state 2-micron laser is a key subsystem for a coherent Doppler lidar that measures the horizontal and vertical wind velocities with high precision and resolution. The same laser, after a few modifications, can also be used in a Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system for measuring atmospheric CO2 concentration profiles. The world record 2-micron laser energy is demonstrated with an oscillator and two amplifiers system. It generates more than one joule per pulse energy with excellent beam quality. Based on the successful demonstration of a fully conductive cooled oscillator by using heat pipe technology, an improved fully conductively cooled 2-micron amplifier was designed, manufactured and integrated. It virtually eliminates the running coolant to increase the overall system efficiency and reliability. In addition to technology development and demonstration, a compact and engineering hardened 2-micron laser is under development. It is capable of producing 250 mJ at 10 Hz by an oscillator and one amplifier. This compact laser is expected to be integrated to a lidar system and take field measurements. The recent achievements push forward the readiness of such a laser system for space lidar applications. This paper will review the developments of the state-of-the-art solid-state 2-micron laser.

Solid state, S-band, power amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Digrindakis, M.

1973-01-01

The final design and specifications for a solid state, S-band, power amplifier is reported. Modifications from a previously proposed design were incorporated to improve efficiency and meet input overdrive and noise floor requirements. Reports on the system design, driver amplifier, power amplifier, and voltage and current limiter are included along with a discussion of the testing program.

Damage resistant optics for a mega-joule solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, J. H.; Rainer, F.; Kozlowski, M. R.; Wolfe, C. R.; Thomas, I.; Milanovich, F.

1990-12-01

Research on Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) has progressed rapidly in the past several years. As a consequence, LLNL is developing plans to upgrade the current 120 kJ solid state (Nd3+ phosphate glass) Nova laser to a 1.5 to 2 megajoule system with the goal of achieving fusion ignition. The design of the planned Nova Upgrade is briefly discussed. Because of recent improvements in the damage resistance of optical materials it is now technically and economically feasible to build a megajoule-class solid state laser. Specifically, the damage threshold of Nd(+3)-doped phosphate laser glass, multilayer dielectric coatings, and non-linear optical crystals (e.g., KDP) have been dramatically improved. These materials now meet the fluence requirements for a 1.5 to 2 MJ Nd(+3)-glass laser operating at 1054 and 351 nm and at a pulse length of 3 ns. The recent improvements in damage thresholds are reviewed; threshold data at both 1064 and 355 nm and the measured pulse length scaling are presented.

Damage resistant optics for a megajoule solid state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Jack H.; Rainer, Frank; Kozlowski, Mark R.; Wolfe, C. Robert; Thomas, Ian M.; Milanovich, Fred P.

1991-06-01

Research on Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) has progressed rapidly in the past several years. As a consequence LLNL is developing plans to upgrade the current 120 kJ solid state (Nd3-phosphate glass) Nova laser to a 1 . 5 to 2 megajoule system with the goal of achieving fusion ignition. The design of the planned Nova Upgrade is briefly discussed. Because of recent improvements in the damage resistance of optical materials it is now technically and economically feasible to build a megajoule-class solid state laser. Specifically the damage threshold of Nd3- doped phosphate laser glass muliilayer dielectric coatings and non-linear optical crystals (e. g. KDP) have been dramatically improved. These materials now meet the fluence requirements for a 1. 5-2 MJ Nd3-glass laser operating at 1054 and 351 nm and at a pulse length of 3 ns. The recent improvements in damage thresholds are reviewed threshold data at both 1064 and 355 nm and the measured pulse length scaling are presented. 1.

Solid-State Laser Source of Tunable Narrow-Bandwidth Ultraviolet Radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldberg, Lew; Kliner, Dahv A.; Koplow, Jeffrey P.

1998-01-01

A solid-state laser source of tunable and narrow-bandwidth UV light is disclosed. The system relies on light from a diode laser that preferably generates light at infrared frequencies. The light from the seed diode laser is pulse amplified in a light amplifier, and converted into the ultraviolet by frequency tripling, quadrupling, or quintupling the infrared light. The narrow bandwidth, or relatively pure light, of the seed laser is preserved, and the pulse amplifier generates high peak light powers to increase the efficiency of the nonlinear crystals in the frequency conversion stage. Higher output powers may be obtained by adding a fiber amplifier to power amplify the pulsed laser light prior to conversion.

Large energy laser pulses with high repetition rate by graphene Q-switched solid-state laser.

PubMed

Li, Xian-lei; Xu, Jin-long; Wu, Yong-zhong; He, Jing-liang; Hao, Xiao-peng

2011-05-09

We demonstrated that the graphene could be used as an effective saturable absorber for Q-switched solid-state lasers. A graphene saturable absorber mirror was fabricated with large and high-quality graphene sheets deprived from the liquid phase exfoliation. Using this mirror, 105-ns pulses and 2.3-W average output power are obtained from a passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO(4) laser. The maximum pulse energy is 3.2 μJ. The slope efficiency is as high as 37% approximating to 40% of the continue-wave laser, indicating a low intrinsic loss of the graphene. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Gigahertz dual-comb modelocked diode-pumped semiconductor and solid-state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Link, S. M.; Mangold, M.; Golling, M.; Klenner, A.; Keller, U.

2016-03-01

We present a simple approach to generate simultaneously two gigahertz mode-locked pulse trains from a single gain element. A bi-refringent crystal in the laser cavity splits the one cavity beam into two cross-polarized and spatially separated beams. This polarization-duplexing is successfully demonstrated for both a semiconductor disk laser (i.e. MIXSEL) and a diode-pumped solid-state Nd:YAG laser. The beat between the two beams results in a microwave frequency comb, which represents a direct link between the terahertz optical frequencies and the electronically accessible microwave regime. This dual-output technique enables compact and cost-efficient dual-comb lasers for spectroscopy applications.

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.

Outcome of solid-state 532 nm green laser in high-risk retinopathy of prematurity at a tertiary care centre in India.

PubMed

Chhabra, Kanika; Kaur, Prempal; Singh, Karamjit; Aggarwal, Anand; Chalia, Dharamvir

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study was to analyse the outcome of solid-state green laser in high-risk retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at a tertiary centre in India. Fifty-nine eyes of 30 infants with high-risk ROP were recruited in this prospective, interventional study. High-risk ROP included prethreshold type 1 ROP and APROP. Laser photocoagulation was performed with 532 nm solid-state green laser (Novus Spectra, Lumenis, GmbH, Germany). Of the 30 infants, 18 were males (60%) and 12 were females (40%). The mean birth weight was 1102.83 ± 196.27 g. The mean gestational age was 29.5 ± 1.47 weeks. Zone 1 disease was present in 10 eyes (16.95%) and zone 2 disease in 49 (83.05%) eyes. Out of 57 eyes with prethreshold type 1 ROP, 39 eyes (68.42%) had stage 2 and 18 eyes (31.58%) had stage 3. The postconceptional age at the time of treatment was 36.03 ± 2.32 weeks. The infants received mean 2710.24 ± 747.97 laser spots. Fifty (84.8%) eyes underwent laser in a single sitting and 9 eyes (15.2%) required 2 laser sittings. Mean time for regression of ROP was 5.8 ± 3.8 weeks (range 3-11 weeks). Total ROP regression was seen in 55 eyes (93.22%). Despite laser treatment, 4 (6.78%) eyes of three infants had unfavourable outcome. One infant developed intra-procedural bradycardia. Vitreous haemorrhage was seen in five eyes (8.4%). Solid-state 532 nm green laser is a safe and effective treatment for high-risk retinopathy of prematurity.

Laser Program annual report 1987

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

O'Neal, E.M.; Murphy, P.W.; Canada, J.A.

1989-07-01

This report discusses the following topics: target design and experiments; target materials development; laboratory x-ray lasers; laser science and technology; high-average-power solid state lasers; and ICF applications studies.

A Completely Solid-State Tunable Ti:Sapphire Laser System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guerra, David V.; Coyle, D. Barry; Krebs, Danny J.

1994-01-01

Compact, completely solid-state tunable pulsed laser system passively cooled developed for potential employment in aircraft and sounding-rocket lidar experiments. Ti:sapphire based laser system pumped with frequency-doubled diode-pumped Nd:YAG. Rugged, self-contained system extremely flexible and provides pulsed output at specific frequencies with low input-power requirements. In-situ measurements enables scientists to study upper-atmosphere dynamics. Tuning range easily extended to bands between 650-950 nm in order to study other atmospheric constituents.

Gadolinium Scandium Gallium Garnet (GSGG) as a Solid-State Laser Host

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-07-01

o*SATI CODSi1.SBEC EM (otne nrvrs fnceayad dniy nb)k ubr ~~~~~~~~ Gadolinium Scandium Gallium Garnet (GSGG)asaSldtteLerHt 17. ABSTRACT 6.SUJCTTEM...certain other garnet materials for replacement. It also addresses the solid-state laser host material Gadolinium Scandium Gal- lium Garnet (GSGG) and its...by neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) or other mate- rials for most applications. In the years after the invention of the ruby laser, in

Composition and method of preparation of solid state dye laser rods

DOEpatents

Hermes, Robert E.

1992-01-01

The present invention includes solid polymeric-host laser rods prepared using bulk polymerization of acrylic acid ester comonomers which, when admixed with dye(s) capable of supporting laser oscillation and polymerized with a free radical initiator under mild thermal conditions, produce a solid product having the preferred properties for efficient lasing. Unsaturated polymerizable laser dyes can also be employed as one of the comonomers. Additionally, a method is disclosed which alleviates induced optical stress without having to anneal the polymers at elevated temperatures (>85.degree. C.).

A solid state tunable laser for resonance measurements of atmospheric sodium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Philbrick, C. R.; Bufton, J. L.; Gardner, C. S.

1985-01-01

The measurement of wave dynamics in the upper mesosphere using a solid-state laser to excite the resonance fluorescence line of sodium is examined. Two Nd:YAG lasers are employed to produce the sodium resonance line. The method involves mixing the 1064 nm radiation with that from a second Nd:YAG operating at 1319 nm in a nonlinear infrared crystal to directly produce 589 nm radiation by sum frequency generation. The use of the transmitter to measure the sodium layer from the Space Shuttle Platform is proposed. A diagram of the laser transmitter is presented.

Advancement of High Power Quasi-CW Laser Diode Arrays For Space-based Laser Instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Baker, nathaniel R.; Baggott, Renee S.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

2004-01-01

Space-based laser and lidar instruments play an important role in NASA s plans for meeting its objectives in both Earth Science and Space Exploration areas. Almost all the lidar instrument concepts being considered by NASA scientist utilize moderate to high power diode-pumped solid state lasers as their transmitter source. Perhaps the most critical component of any solid state laser system is its pump laser diode array which essentially dictates instrument efficiency, reliability and lifetime. For this reason, premature failures and rapid degradation of high power laser diode arrays that have been experienced by laser system designers are of major concern to NASA. This work addresses these reliability and lifetime issues by attempting to eliminate the causes of failures and developing methods for screening laser diode arrays and qualifying them for operation in space.

Blue-green diode-pumped solid state laser system for transcutaneous bilirubinometry in neonatal jaundice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamza, Mostafa; El-Ahl, Mohammad H. S.; Hamza, Ahmad M.

2001-01-01

The authors introduce the design of a blue-green diode- pumped solid-state laser system for transcutaneous measurement of serum bilirubin level in jaundiced new born infant. The system follows the principles of optical bilirubinometry. The choice of wavelengths provides correction for the presence of hemoglobin. The new design is more compact and less expensive.

Graded Reflectivity Mirror for the Solid State Heat Capacity Laser Final Report CRADA No. TC-2085-04

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

Yamamoto, R.; Davis, J. A.

This was a collaborative effort between The Regents of the University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Boeing Company, to develop a Graded Reflectivity Mirror (GRM) to achieve improved near field fill and higher brightness in the far field output of LLNL’s Solid State Heat Capacity Laser (SSHCL).

Solid State Division progress report, September 30, 1981

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

Not Available

1982-04-01

Progress made during the 19 months from March 1, 1980, through September 30, 1981, is reported in the following areas: theoretical solid state physics (surfaces, electronic and magnetic properties, particle-solid interactions, and laser annealing); surface and near-surface properties of solids (plasma materials interactions, ion-solid interactions, pulsed laser annealing, and semiconductor physics and photovoltaic conversion); defects in solids (radiation effects, fracture, and defects and impurities in insulating crystals); transport properties of solids (fast-ion conductors, superconductivity, and physical properties of insulating materials); neutron scattering (small-angle scattering, lattice dynamics, and magnetic properties); crystal growth and characterization (nuclear waste forms, ferroelectric mateirals, high-temperature materials,more » and special materials); and isotope research materials. Publications and papers are listed. (WHK)« less

Pulsed x-ray imaging of high-density objects using a ten picosecond high-intensity laser driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusby, D. R.; Brenner, C. M.; Armstrong, C.; Wilson, L. A.; Clarke, R.; Alejo, A.; Ahmed, H.; Butler, N. M. H.; Haddock, D.; Higginson, A.; McClymont, A.; Mirfayzi, S. R.; Murphy, C.; Notley, M.; Oliver, P.; Allott, R.; Hernandez-Gomez, C.; Kar, S.; McKenna, P.; Neely, D.

2016-10-01

Point-like sources of X-rays that are pulsed (sub nanosecond), high energy (up to several MeV) and bright are very promising for industrial and security applications where imaging through large and dense objects is required. Highly penetrating X-rays can be produced by electrons that have been accelerated by a high intensity laser pulse incident onto a thin solid target. We have used a pulse length of 10ps to accelerate electrons to create a bright x-ray source. The bremsstrahlung temperature was measured for a laser intensity from 8.5-12×1018 W/cm2. These x-rays have sequentially been used to image high density materials using image plate and a pixelated scintillator system.

Parameter space for the collective laser coupling in the laser fusion driver based on the concept of fiber amplification network.

PubMed

Huang, Zhihua; Lin, Honghuan; Xu, Dangpeng; Li, Mingzhong; Wang, Jianjun; Deng, Ying; Zhang, Rui; Zhang, Yongliang; Tian, Xiaocheng; Wei, Xiaofeng

2013-07-15

Collective laser coupling of the fiber array in the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) laser driver based on the concept of fiber amplification network (FAN) is researched. The feasible parameter space is given for laser coupling of the fundamental, second and third harmonic waves by neglecting the influence of the frequency conversion on the beam quality under the assumption of beam quality factor conservation. Third harmonic laser coupling is preferred due to its lower output energy requirement from a single fiber amplifier. For coplanar fiber array, the energy requirement is around 0.4 J with an effective mode field diameter of around 500 μm while maintaining the fundamental mode operation which is more than one order of magnitude higher than what can be achieved with state-of-the-art technology. Novel waveguide structure needs to be developed to enlarge the fundamental mode size while mitigating the catastrophic self-focusing effect.

Analytical thermal model for end-pumped solid-state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cini, L.; Mackenzie, J. I.

2017-12-01

Fundamentally power-limited by thermal effects, the design challenge for end-pumped "bulk" solid-state lasers depends upon knowledge of the temperature gradients within the gain medium. We have developed analytical expressions that can be used to model the temperature distribution and thermal-lens power in end-pumped solid-state lasers. Enabled by the inclusion of a temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, applicable from cryogenic to elevated temperatures, typical pumping distributions are explored and the results compared with accepted models. Key insights are gained through these analytical expressions, such as the dependence of the peak temperature rise in function of the boundary thermal conductance to the heat sink. Our generalized expressions provide simple and time-efficient tools for parametric optimization of the heat distribution in the gain medium based upon the material and pumping constraints.

180 mJ, long-pulse-duration, master-oscillator power amplifier with linewidth less than 25.6 kHz for laser guide stars.

PubMed

Wang, Chunhua; Zhang, Xiang; Ye, Zhibin; Liu, Chong; Chen, Jun

2013-07-01

A high-energy single-frequency hundred-microsecond long-pulse solid-state laser is demonstrated, which features an electro-optically modulated seed laser and two-stage double-passed pulse-pumped solid-state laser rod amplifier. Laser output with energy of 180 mJ, repetition rate of 50 Hz, and pulse width of 150 μs is achieved. The laser linewidth is measured to be less than 25.52 kHz by a fiber delay self-heterodyne method. In addition, a closed-loop controlling system is adopted to lock the center wavelength. No relaxation oscillation spikes appear in the pulse temporal profile, which is beneficial for further amplification.

Solid-state-based laser system as a replacement for Ar⁺ lasers.

PubMed

Beck, Tobias; Rein, Benjamin; Sörensen, Fabian; Walther, Thomas

2016-09-15

We report on a solid-state-based laser system at 1028 nm. The light is generated by a diode laser seeded ytterbium fiber amplifier. In two build-up cavities, its frequency is doubled and quadrupled to 514 nm and 257 nm, respectively. At 514 nm, the system delivers up to 4.7 W of optical power. In the fourth harmonic, up to 173 mW are available limited by the nonlinear crystal. The frequency of the laser is mode-hop-free tunable by 16 GHz in 10 ms in the UV. Therefore, the system is suitable as a low maintenance, efficient, and tunable narrowband replacement for frequency doubled Ar⁺ laser systems.

Nanocrystal waveguide (NOW) laser

DOEpatents

Simpson, John T.; Simpson, Marcus L.; Withrow, Stephen P.; White, Clark W.; Jaiswal, Supriya L.

2005-02-08

A solid state laser includes an optical waveguide and a laser cavity including at least one subwavelength mirror disposed in or on the optical waveguide. A plurality of photoluminescent nanocrystals are disposed in the laser cavity. The reflective subwavelength mirror can be a pair of subwavelength resonant gratings (SWG), a pair of photonic crystal structures (PC), or a distributed feedback structure. In the case of a pair of mirrors, a PC which is substantially transmissive at an operating wavelength of the laser can be disposed in the laser cavity between the subwavelength mirrors to improve the mode structure, coherence and overall efficiency of the laser. A method for forming a solid state laser includes the steps of providing an optical waveguide, creating a laser cavity in the optical waveguide by disposing at least one subwavelength mirror on or in the waveguide, and positioning a plurality of photoluminescent nanocrystals in the laser cavity.

The 1.083 micron tunable CW semiconductor laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, C. S.; Chen, Jan-Shin; Lu, Ken-Gen; Ouyang, Keng

1991-01-01

A tunable CW laser is desired to produce light equivalent to the helium spectral line at 1.08 microns. This laser will serve as an optical pumping source for He-3 and He-4 atoms used in space magnetometers. This light source can be fabricated either as a semiconductor laser diode or a pumped solid state laser. Continuous output power of greater than 10 mW is desired. Semiconductor lasers can be thermally tuned, but must be capable of locking onto the helium resonance lines. Solid state lasers must have efficient pumping sources suitable for space configuration. Additional requirements are as follows: space magnetometer applications will include low mass (less than 0.5 kg), low power consumption (less than 0.75 W), and high stability/reliability for long missions (5-10 years).

Solar Pumped High Power Solid State Laser for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fork, Richard L.; Laycock, Rustin L.; Green, Jason J. A.; Walker, Wesley W.; Cole, Spencer T.; Frederick, Kevin B.; Phillips, Dane J.

2004-01-01

Highly coherent laser light provides a nearly optimal means of transmitting power in space. The simplest most direct means of converting sunlight to coherent laser light is a solar pumped laser oscillator. A key need for broadly useful space solar power is a robust solid state laser oscillator capable of operating efficiently in near Earth space at output powers in the multi hundred kilowatt range. The principal challenges in realizing such solar pumped laser oscillators are: (1) the need to remove heat from the solid state laser material without introducing unacceptable thermal shock, thermal lensing, or thermal stress induced birefringence to a degree that improves on current removal rates by several orders of magnitude and (2) to introduce sunlight at an effective concentration (kW/sq cm of laser cross sectional area) that is several orders of magnitude higher than currently available while tolerating a pointing error of the spacecraft of several degrees. We discuss strategies for addressing these challenges. The need to remove the high densities of heat, e.g., 30 kW/cu cm, while keeping the thermal shock, thermal lensing and thermal stress induced birefringence loss sufficiently low is addressed in terms of a novel use of diamond integrated with the laser material, such as Ti:sapphire in a manner such that the waste heat is removed from the laser medium in an axial direction and in the diamond in a radial direction. We discuss means for concentrating sunlight to an effective areal density of the order of 30 kW/sq cm. The method integrates conventional imaging optics, non-imaging optics and nonlinear optics. In effect we use a method that combines some of the methods of optical pumping solid state materials and optical fiber, but also address laser media having areas sufficiently large, e.g., 1 cm diameter to handle the multi-hundred kilowatt level powers needed for space solar power.

Laser interaction with tissue

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

Berns, M.W.

These proceedings collect papers on laser biomedicine. Topics include: light distributions on tissue; chemical byproducts of laser/tissue interactions; laser applications in ophthalmology; phododynamic therapy; diode pumped solid state lasers at two and three micrometers; and applications of excimer lasers to peripheral nerve repair.

Response of microchip solid-state laser to external frequency-shifted feedback and its applications

PubMed Central

Tan, Yidong; Zhang, Shulian; Zhang, Song; Zhang, Yongqing; Liu, Ning

2013-01-01

The response of the microchip solid-state Nd:YAG laser, which is subjected to external frequency-shifted feedback, is experimentally and theoretically analysed. The continuous weak response of the laser to the phase and amplitude of the feedback light is achieved by controlling the feedback power level, and this system can be used to achieve contact-free measurement of displacement, vibration, liquid evaporation and thermal expansion with nanometre accuracy in common room conditions without precise environmental control. Furthermore, a strong response, including chaotic harmonic and parametric oscillation, is observed, and the spectrum of this response, as examined by a frequency-stabilised Nd:YAG laser, indicates laser spectral linewidth broadening. PMID:24105389

Response of microchip solid-state laser to external frequency-shifted feedback and its applications.

PubMed

Tan, Yidong; Zhang, Shulian; Zhang, Song; Zhang, Yongqing; Liu, Ning

2013-10-09

The response of the microchip solid-state Nd:YAG laser, which is subjected to external frequency-shifted feedback, is experimentally and theoretically analysed. The continuous weak response of the laser to the phase and amplitude of the feedback light is achieved by controlling the feedback power level, and this system can be used to achieve contact-free measurement of displacement, vibration, liquid evaporation and thermal expansion with nanometre accuracy in common room conditions without precise environmental control. Furthermore, a strong response, including chaotic harmonic and parametric oscillation, is observed, and the spectrum of this response, as examined by a frequency-stabilised Nd:YAG laser, indicates laser spectral linewidth broadening.

Solid-State Powered X-band Accelerator

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

Othman, Mohamed A.K.; Nann, Emilio A.; Dolgashev, Valery A.

2017-03-06

In this report we disseminate the hot test results of an X-band 100-W solid state amplifier chain for linear accelerator (linac) applications. Solid state power amplifiers have become increasingly attractive solutions for achieving high power in radar and maritime applications. Here the performance of solid state amplifiers when driving an RF cavity is investigated. Commercially available, matched and fully-packaged GaN on SiC HEMTs are utilized, comprising a wideband driver stage and two power stages. The amplifier chain has a high poweradded- efficiency and is able to supply up to ~1.2 MV/m field gradient at 9.2 GHz in a simple testmore » cavity, with a peak power exceeding 100 W. These findings set forth the enabling technology for solid-state powered linacs.« less

Novel short-pulse laser diode source for high-resolution 3D flash lidar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canal, Celine; Laugustin, Arnaud; Kohl, Andreas; Rabot, Olivier

2017-06-01

Imaging based on laser illumination is present in various fields of applications such as medicine, security, defense, civil engineering and in the automotive sector. In this last domain, research and development to bring autonomous vehicles on the roads has been intensified the recent years. Among the various technologies currently studied, automotive lidars are a fast-growing one due to their accuracy to detect a wide range of objects at distances up to a few hundreds of meters in various weather conditions. First commercialized devices for ADAS were laser scanners. Since then, new architectures have recently appeared such as solid-state lidar and flash lidar that offer a higher compactness, robustness and a cost reduction. Flash lidars are based on time-of-flight measurements, with the particularity that they do not require beam scanners because only one short laser pulse with a large divergence is used to enlighten the whole scene. Depth of encountered objects can then be recovered from measurement of echoed light at once, hence enabling real-time 3D mapping of the environment. This paper will bring into the picture a cutting edge laser diode source that can deliver millijoule pulses as short as 12 ns, which makes them highly suitable for integration in flash lidars. They provide a 100-kW peak power highly divergent beam in a footprint of 4x5 cm2 (including both the laser diode and driver) and with a 30-% electrical-to-optical efficiency, making them suitable for integration in environments in which compactness and power consumption are a priority. Their emission in the range of 800-1000 nm is considered to be eye safe when taking into account the high divergence of the output beam. An overview of architecture of these state-of-the-art pulsed laser diode sources will be given together with some solutions for their integration in 3D mapping systems. Future work leads will be discussed for miniaturization of the laser diode and drastic cost reduction.

Disruptive laser diode source for embedded LIDAR sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canal, Celine; Laugustin, Arnaud; Kohl, Andreas; Rabot, Olivier

2017-02-01

Active imaging based on laser illumination is used in various fields such as medicine, security, defense, civil engineering and in the automotive sector. In this last domain, research and development to bring autonomous vehicles on the roads has been intensified these last years with an emphasis on lidar technology that is probably the key to achieve full automation level. Based on time-of-flight measurements, the profile of objects can be measured together with their location in various conditions, creating a 3D mapping of the environment. To be embedded on a vehicle as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), these sensors require compactness, low-cost and reliability, as it is provided by a flash lidar. An attractive candidate, especially with respect to cost reduction, for the laser source integrated in these devices is certainly laser diodes as long as they can provide sufficiently short pulses with a high energy. A recent breakthrough in laser diode and diode driver technology made by Quantel (Les Ulis, France) now allows laser emission higher than 1 mJ with pulses as short as 12 ns in a footprint of 4x5 cm2 (including both the laser diode and driver) and an electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency of the whole laser diode source higher than 25% at this level of energy. The components used for the laser source presented here can all be manufactured at low cost. In particular, instead of having several individual laser diodes positioned side by side, the laser diodes are monolithically integrated on a single semiconductor chip. The chips are then integrated directly on the driver board in a single assembly step. These laser sources emit in the range of 800-1000 nm and their emission is considered to be eye safe when taking into account the high divergence of the output beam and the aperture of possible macro lenses so that they can be used for end consumer applications. Experimental characterization of these state-of-the-art pulsed laser diode sources will be given. Future work leads will be discussed for miniaturization of the laser diode and drastic cost reduction.

Arbitrary waveform generator to improve laser diode driver performance

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

Fulkerson, Jr, Edward Steven

2015-11-03

An arbitrary waveform generator modifies the input signal to a laser diode driver circuit in order to reduce the overshoot/undershoot and provide a "flat-top" signal to the laser diode driver circuit. The input signal is modified based on the original received signal and the feedback from the laser diode by measuring the actual current flowing in the laser diode after the original signal is applied to the laser diode.

Development of Novel Composite and Random Materials for Nonlinear Optics and Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noginov, Mikhail

2002-01-01

A qualitative model explaining sharp spectral peaks in emission of solid-state random laser materials with broad-band gain is proposed. The suggested mechanism of coherent emission relies on synchronization of phases in an ensemble of emitting centers, via time delays provided by a network of random scatterers, and amplification of spontaneous emission that supports the spontaneously organized coherent state. Laser-like emission from powders of solid-state luminophosphors, characterized by dramatic narrowing of the emission spectrum and shortening of emission pulses above the threshold, was first observed by Markushev et al. and further studied by a number of research groups. In particular, it has been shown that when the pumping energy significantly exceeds the threshold, one or several narrow emission lines can be observed in broad-band gain media with scatterers, such as films of ZnO nanoparticles, films of pi-conjugated polymers or infiltrated opals. The experimental features, commonly observed in various solid-state random laser materials characterized by different particle sizes, different values of the photon mean free path l*, different indexes of refraction, etc.. can be described as follows. (Liquid dye random lasers are not discussed here.)

Laser technology and applications in gynaecology.

PubMed

Adelman, M R; Tsai, L J; Tangchitnob, E P; Kahn, B S

2013-04-01

The term 'laser' is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers are commonly described by the emitted wavelength, which determines the colour of the light, as well as the active lasing medium. Currently, over 40 types of lasers have been developed with a wide range of both industrial and medical uses. Gas and solid-state lasers are frequently used in surgical applications, with CO2 and Ar being the most common examples of gas lasers, and the Nd:YAG and KTP:YAG being the most common examples of solid-state lasers. At present, it appears that the CO2, Nd:YAG, and KTP lasers provide alternative methods for achieving similar results, as opposed to superior results, when compared with traditional endoscopic techniques, such as cold-cutting monopolar and bipolar energy. This review focuses on the physics, tissue interaction, safety and applications of commonly used lasers in gynaecological surgery.

Development of a solid-state sodium Doppler lidar using an all-fiber-coupled injection seeding unit for simultaneous temperature and wind measurements in the mesopause region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Guotao; Xia, Yuan; Cheng, Xuewu; Du, Lifang; Wang, Jihong; Xun, Yuchang

2017-04-01

We present a solid-state sodium (Na) Doppler lidar developed at YanQing Station, Beijing, China (40°N, 116°E) to achieve simultaneous wind and temperature measurements of mesopause region. The 589nm pulse laser is produced by two injection seeded 1064nm and 1319nm Nd:YAG pulse lasers using the sum-frequency generation (SFG) technique. An all-fiber-coupled seeding laser unit was designed to enable absolute laser frequency locking and cycling the measurements among three different operating frequencies. Experimental observations were carried out using this Na lidar system and the preliminary results were described and compared with the temperature of the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) and the horizontal wind of the meteor Radar, demonstrating the reliability and good performance of this lidar system. The all-fiber-coupled injection seeding configuration together with the solid-state Nd:YAG lasers make the Na Doppler lidar more compact and greatly reduce the system maintenance, which is conducive to transportable and unattended operation.

Miniature solid-state lasers for pointing, illumination, and warning devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, D. C.; Singley, J. M.; Yager, E.; Kowalewski, K.; Lotito, B.; Guelzow, J.; Hildreth, J.; Kuper, J. W.

2008-04-01

In this paper we review the current status of and progress towards higher power and more wavelength diverse diode-pumped solid-state miniature lasers. Snake Creek Lasers now offers unprecedented continuous wave (CW) output power from 9.0 mm and 5.6 mm TO type packages, including the smallest green laser in the world, the MicroGreen TM laser, and the highest density green laser in the world, the MiniGreen TM laser. In addition we offer an infrared laser, the MiniIR TM, operating at 1064 nm, and have just introduced a blue Mini laser operating at 473 nm in a 9.0 mm package. Recently we demonstrated over 1 W of output power at 1064 nm from a 12 mm TO type package, and green output power from 300-500 mW from the same 12 mm package. In addition, the company is developing a number of other innovative new miniature CW solid-state lasers operating at 750 nm, 820 nm, 458 nm, and an eye-safe Q-switched laser operating at 1550 nm. We also review recently demonstrated combining volume Bragg grating (VBG) technology has been combined with automatic power control (APC) to produce high power MiniGreen TM lasers whose output is constant to +/- 10 % over a wide temperature range, without the use of a thermoelectric cooler (TEC). This technology is expected to find widespread application in military and commercial applications where wide temperature operation is particularly important. It has immediate applications in laser pointers, illuminators, and laser flashlights, and displays.

Comparative research on medicine application with 0.53-um, 1.06-um, and 1.32-um Nd:YAG lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yahua; Li, Zhenjia; Zhu, Changhong; Huang, Yizhong

1996-09-01

Because of its high power and excellent optical features, laser has almost been applied to everywhere of medical research and clinic. Over the past several years, laser medical has achieved a rapid progress, and laser medical instruments has developed promptly, each new wavelength can be successfully applied in diagnostic and treatment of diseases. Among the medical lasers, Nd:YAG solid-state laser systems have proven useful in surgical use operate, such as neurosurgery, gastroenterology, cardioangiology, urology, gynecology, dermatology and ENT. As with other solid-state lasers, the Nd:YAG laser can be made to emit various wavelengths by means of suitable resonator configurations and some newest solid-state laser technology, pumped by the Krypton lamp, the Nd:YAG laser at room temperature exhibits transition at 1.06 micrometer Nd:YAG, using nonlinear crystal and Q-switch to double its frequency can attain 0.53 micrometer green beam. In our laser systems, the efficiency at 1.06 micrometer is more than 3 percent, an efficiency of 0.5 percent at 1.32 micrometer and 0.53 micrometer can be attained. For a power of 100w at 1.06 micrometer, 15w at 1.32 micrometer and 0.53 micrometer can therefore be produced. All of three kinds Nd:YAG laser hold these characteristics: high output power; optical fiber transition that can be cooperated with endoscope. The paper mainly discusses laser operating characteristics and clinic applications of three kinds wavelengths at 0.53 micrometer 1.06 micrometer and 1.32 micrometer Nd:YAG laser systems.

Q-switched all-solid-state lasers and application in processing of thin-film solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Liangqing; Wang, Feng

2009-08-01

Societal pressure to renewable clean energy is increasing which is expected to be used as part of an overall strategy to address global warming and oil crisis. Photovoltaic energy conversion devices are on a rapidly accelerating growth path driven by government, of which the costs and prices lower continuously. The next generation thin-film devices are considered to be more efficiency and greatly reduced silicon consumption, resulting in dramatically lower per unit fabrication costs. A key aspect of these devices is patterning large panels to create a monolithic array of series-interconnected cells to form a low current, high voltage module. This patterning is accomplished in three critical scribing processes called P1, P2, and P3. All-solid-state Q-switched lasers are the technology of choice for these processes, due to their advantages of compact configuration, high peak-value power, high repeat rate, excellent beam quality and stability, delivering the desired combination of high throughput and narrow, clean scribes. The end pumped all-solid-state lasers could achieve 1064nm IR resources with pulse width of nanoseconds adopting acoustic-optics Q-switch, shorter than 20ns. The repeat rate is up to 100kHz and the beam quality is close to diffraction limit. Based on this, 532nm green lasers, 355nm UV lasers and 266nm DUV lasers could be carried out through nonlinear frequency conversion. Different wave length lasers are chose to process selective materials. For example, 8-15 W IR lasers are used to scribe the TCO film (P1); 1-5 W green lasers are suitable for scribing the active semiconductor layers (P2) and the back contact layers (P3). Our company, Wuhan Lingyun Photo-electronic System Co. Ltd, has developed 20W IR and 5W green end-pumped Q-switched all-solid-state lasers for thin-film solar industry. Operating in high repeat rates, the speed of processing is up to 2.0 m/s.

Compact, diode-pumped, solid-state lasers for next generation defence and security sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silver, M.; Lee, S. T.; Borthwick, A.; McRae, I.; Jackson, D.; Alexander, W.

2015-06-01

Low-cost semiconductor laser diode pump sources have made a dramatic impact in sectors such as advanced manufacturing. They are now disrupting other sectors, such as defence and security (D&S), where Thales UK is a manufacturer of sensor systems for application on land, sea, air and man portable. In this talk, we will first give an overview of the market trends and challenges in the D&S sector. Then we will illustrate how low cost pump diodes are enabling new directions in D&S sensors, by describing two diode pumped, solid- state laser products currently under development at Thales UK. The first is a new generation of Laser Target Designators (LTD) that are used to identify targets for the secure guiding of munitions. Current systems are bulky, expensive and require large battery packs to operate. The advent of low cost diode technology, merged with our novel solid-state laser design, has created a designator that will be the smallest, lowest cost, STANAG compatible laser designator on the market. The LTD delivers greater that 50mJ per pulse up to 20Hz, and has compact dimensions of 125×70×55mm. Secondly, we describe an ultra-compact, eye-safe, solid-state laser rangefinder (LRF) with reduced size, weight and power consumption compared to existing products. The LRF measures 100×55×34mm, weighs 200g, and can range to greater than 10km with a single laser shot and at a reprate of 1Hz. This also leverages off advances in laser pump diodes, but also utilises low cost, high reliability, packaging technology commonly found in the telecoms sector. As is common in the D&S sector, the products are designed to work in extreme environments, such as wide temperature range (-40 to +71°C) and high levels of shock and vibration. These disruptive products enable next- generation laser sensors such as rangefinders, target designators and active illuminated imagers.

Intensity noise cancellation in solid-state laser at 1.5  μm using SHG depletion as a buffer reservoir.

PubMed

Audo, Kevin; Alouini, Mehdi

2018-03-01

An absorption mechanism based on second-harmonic generation (SHG) is successfully implemented as a buffer reservoir in a solid-state Er,Yb:Glass laser emitting at the telecom wavelength. We show that a slight absorption mechanism based on SHG rate conversion of 0.016% using a beta barium borate crystal enables the canceling out of the excess intensity noise at the relaxation oscillation frequency, i.e., 35 dB reduction, as well as canceling the amplified spontaneous emission beating at the free spectral range resonances of the laser lying in the gigahertz range. Laser robustness is discussed.

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.

Solid-state experiments at high pressure and strain rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalantar, D. H.

1999-11-01

We are developing experiments on intense laser facilities to study shock compressed metal foils in the solid state. At high pressure, Rayleigh-Taylor induced perturbation growth can be reduced by the strength of the material. [1] We use this to characterize the strength of the metal foils accelerated at high pressure in the solid state. In our experiments, Al and Cu foils are compressed and accelerated with staged shocks using a temporally shaped x-ray drive that is generated in a Nova laser hohlraum target. [2] The peak pressures exceed 1 Mbar (100 GPa), and strain rates are very high, 10^7-10^9 s-1. The instability growth is observed by x-ray radiography. To probe the state of the material under compression and to demonstrate that it remains solid, we are using the dynamic Bragg diffraction technique. [3] This technique has been demonstrated on the Nova laser [4] using Si crystals shocked to 200-500 kbar. Additionally, we have observed diffraction from Cu crystals that are shocked to 100-200 kbar by direct laser irradiation on the Trident and OMEGA lasers. Compressions of up to a 10in the crystal lattice spacing have been observed. We will present the results of our work to develop these high pressure solid-state hydrodynamics experiments. 1. J. F. Barnes et al, J. Appl. Phys. 45, 727 (1974); A. I. Lebedev et al , Proc. 4th IWPCTM, 29 March-1 April, 1993, p. 81. 2. D. H. Kalantar et al., to appear in Int. J. of Impact Eng. (1999). 3. R. R. Whitlock and J. S. Wark, Phys. Rev. B 52, 8 (1995). 4. D. H. Kalantar et al, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 70, 629 (1999).

ARPA solid state laser and nonlinear materials program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moulton, Peter F.

1994-06-01

The Research Division of Schwartz Electro-Optics, as part of the ARPA Solid State Laser and Nonlinear Materials Program, conducted a three-year study 'Erbium-Laser-Based Infrared Sources.' The aim of the study was to improve the understanding of semiconductor-laser-pumped, infrared (IR) solid state lasers based on the trivalent rare-earth ion erbium (Er) doped into a variety of host crystals. The initial program plan emphasized operation of erbium-doped materials on the 2.8-3.0 micrometers laser transition. Pulsed, Q-switched sources using that transition, when employed as a pump source for parametric oscillators, can provide tunable mid-IR energy. The dynamics of erbium lasers are more complex than conventional neodymium (Nd)-doped lasers and we intended to use pump-probe techniques to measure the level and temporal behavior of gain in various materials. To do so we constructed a number of different cw Er-doped lasers as probe sources and employed the Cr:LiSAF(LiSrAlF6) laser as a pulsed pump source that would simulate pulsed diode arrays. We identified the 970-nm wavelength pump band of Er as the most efficient and were able to make use of recently developed cw and pulsed InGaAs strained-quantum-well diode lasers in the effort. At the conclusion of the program we demonstrated the first pulsed diode bar pumping of the most promising materials for pulsed operation, the oxide garnets YSGG and GGG and the fluoride BaY2F8.

High current, high bandwidth laser diode current driver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Copeland, David J.; Zimmerman, Robert K., Jr.

1991-01-01

A laser diode current driver has been developed for free space laser communications. The driver provides 300 mA peak modulation current and exhibits an optical risetime of less than 400 ps. The current and optical pulses are well behaved and show minimal ringing. The driver is well suited for QPPM modulation at data rates up to 440 Mbit/s. Much previous work has championed current steering circuits; in contrast, the present driver is a single-ended on/off switch. This results in twice the power efficiency as a current steering driver. The driver electrical efficiency for QPPM data is 34 percent. The high speed switch is realized with a Ku-band GaAsFET transistor, with a suitable pre-drive circuit, on a hybrid microcircuit adjacent to the laser diode.

The potential of ill-nitride laser diodes for solid-state lighting [Advantages of III-Nitride Laser Diodes in Solid-State Lighting

DOE PAGES

Wierer, Jonathan; Tsao, Jeffrey Y.

2014-09-01

III-nitride laser diodes (LDs) are an interesting light source for solid-state lighting (SSL). Modelling of LDs is performed to reveal the potential advantages over traditionally used light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The first, and most notable, advantage is LDs have higher efficiency at higher currents when compared to LEDs. This is because Auger recombination that causes efficiency droop can no longer grow after laser threshold. Second, the same phosphor-converted methods used with LEDs can also be used with LDs to produce white light with similar color rendering and color temperature. Third, producing white light from direct emitters is equally challenging for bothmore » LEDs and LDs, with neither source having a direct advantage. Lastly, the LD emission is directional and can be more readily captured and focused, leading to the possibility of novel and more compact luminaires. These advantages make LDs a compelling source for future SSL.« less

Excitation of high-radial-order Laguerre-Gaussian modes in a solid-state laser using a lower-loss digitally controlled amplitude mask

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, T.; Hasnaoui, A.; Ait-Ameur, K.; Ngcobo, S.

2017-10-01

In this paper we experimentally demonstrate selective excitation of high-radial-order Laguerre-Gaussian (LG p or LG{}p,0) modes with radial order p = 1-4 and azimuthal order l = 0 using a diode-pump solid-state laser (DPSSL) that is digitally controlled by a spatial light modulator (SLM). We encoded an amplitude mask containing p-absorbing rings, of various incompleteness (segmented) on grey-scale computer-generated digital holograms, and displayed them on an SLM which acted as an end mirror of the diode-pumped solid-state digital laser. The various incomplete (α) p-absorbing rings were digitally encoded to match the zero-intensity nulls of the desired LG p mode. We show that the creation of LG p , for p = 1 to p = 4, only requires an incomplete circular p-absorbing ring that has a completeness of ≈37.5%, giving the DPSSL resonator a lower pump threshold power while maintaining the same laser characteristics (such as beam propagation properties).

All solid-state high power visible laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grossman, William M.

1993-01-01

The overall objective of this Phase 2 effort was to develop and deliver to NASA a high repetition rate laser-diode-pumped solid-state pulsed laser system with output in the green portion of the spectrum. The laser is for use in data communications, and high efficiency, short pulses, and low timing jitter are important features. A short-pulse 1 micron laser oscillator, a new multi-pass amplifier to boost the infrared power, and a frequency doubler to take the amplified infrared pulsed laser light into the green. This produced 1.5 W of light in the visible at a pulse repetition rate of 20 kHz in the laboratory. The pulses have a full-width at half maximum of near 1 ns. The results of this program are being commercialized.

Self-compensation of thermal lens in high-power diode pumped solid-state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiao-Jun

2010-02-01

We present a comprehensive model to describe the optic-thermal coupling in the diode pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL). The thermal transition of particles at the upper laser level leads the heat-generation of laser crystals to depend on shape of the laser beam, while the laser field is also influenced by the temperature because of the thermal excitation of doped particles among various Stark levels. These effects, together with the usual thermal-optic effect that induces a fluctuation of the refraction index by an inhomogeneous temperature distribution, cause a complicated coupling between the laser field and the temperature field. We show that the optic-thermal coupling plays an important role in high-power DPSSL with larger size beam. That effect may yield a self-compensation for the thermal lens and improve the beam quality.

Optical probing of high intensity laser interaction with micron-sized cryogenic hydrogen jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Tim; Rehwald, Martin; Obst, Lieselotte; Bernert, Constantin; Brack, Florian-Emanuel; Curry, Chandra B.; Gauthier, Maxence; Glenzer, Siegfried H.; Göde, Sebastian; Kazak, Lev; Kraft, Stephan D.; Kuntzsch, Michael; Loeser, Markus; Metzkes-Ng, Josefine; Rödel, Christian; Schlenvoigt, Hans-Peter; Schramm, Ulrich; Siebold, Mathias; Tiggesbäumker, Josef; Wolter, Steffen; Zeil, Karl

2018-07-01

Probing the rapid dynamics of plasma evolution in laser-driven plasma interactions provides deeper understanding of experiments in the context of laser-driven ion acceleration and facilitates the interplay with complementing numerical investigations. Besides the microscopic scales involved, strong plasma (self-)emission, predominantly around the harmonics of the driver laser, often complicates the data analysis. We present the concept and the implementation of a stand-alone probe laser system that is temporally synchronized to the driver laser, providing probing wavelengths beyond the harmonics of the driver laser. The capability of this system is shown during a full-scale laser proton acceleration experiment using renewable cryogenic hydrogen jet targets. For further improvements, we studied the influence of probe color, observation angle of the probe and temporal contrast of the driver laser on the probe image quality.

Solid-state-laser-rod holder

DOEpatents

Gettemy, D.J.; Barnes, N.P.; Griggs, J.E.

1981-08-11

The disclosure relates to a solid state laser rod holder comprising Invar, copper tubing, and epoxy joints. Materials and coefficients of expansion of the components of the holder combine with the rod to produce a joint which will give before the rod itself will. The rod may be lased at about 70 to 80/sup 0/K and returned from such a temperature to room temperature repeatedly without its or the holder's destruction.

Diode-pumped solid state green laser for ophthalmologic application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eno, Taizo; Goto, Yoshiaki; Momiuchi, Masayuki

2002-10-01

We have developed diode pumped solid state green laser suitable for ophthalmologic applications. Beam parameters were designed by considering the coagulation system. We have lowered the beam quality to multi transverse and longitudinal mode on purpose to improve the speckle noise of the slit lamp output beam. The beam profile shows homogeneous intensity and it is very useful for ophthalmologic application. End pumping and short cavity configuration made it possible.

Direct solar-pumped iodine laser amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, Kwang S.; Kim, K. H.; Stock, L. V.

1987-01-01

The improvement on the collection system of the Tarmarack Solar Simulator beam was attemped. The basic study of evaluating the solid state laser materials for the solar pumping and also the work to construct a kinetic model algorithm for the flashlamp pumped iodine lasers were carried out. It was observed that the collector cone worked better than the lens assembly in order to collect the solar simulator beam and to focus it down to a strong power density. The study on the various laser materials and their lasing characteristics shows that the neodymium and chromium co-doped gadolinium scandium gallium garnet (Nr:Cr:GSGG) may be a strong candidate for the high power solar pumped solid state laser crystal. On the other hand the improved kinetic modeling for the flashlamp pumped iodine laser provides a good agreement between the theoretical model and the experimental data on the laser power output, and predicts the output parameters of a solar pumped iodine laser.

Mass removal modes in the laser ablation of silicon by a Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Daniel J.; Ki, Hyungson; Mazumder, Jyoti

2006-06-01

A fundamental study on the Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state laser interaction with silicon was performed both experimentally and numerically. Single pulse drilling experiments were conducted on N-type silicon wafers by varying the laser intensity from 108-109 W cm-2 to investigate how the mass removal mechanism changes depending on the laser intensity. Hole width and depth were measured and surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy. For the numerical model study, Ki et al's self-consistent continuous-wave laser drilling model (2001 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 34 364-72) was modified to treat the solidification phenomenon between successive laser pulses. The model has the capabilities of simulating major interaction physics, such as melt flow, heat transfer, evaporation, homogeneous boiling, multiple reflections and surface evolution. This study presents some interesting results on how the mass removal mode changes as the laser intensity increases.

Atherectomy using a solid-state laser at 355 nm wavelength.

PubMed

Herzog, Amir; Oszkinis, Grzegorz; Planer, David; Ziaja, Krzysztof; Kruszyna, Łukasz; Stanisić, Michał Goran; Ziaja, Damian; Ishaaya, Amiel A; Kuczmik, Wacław

2017-10-01

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), caused by atherosclerotic processes, is allied with an increased risk of ischemic events, limb loss, and death. Recently, the use of a solid-state laser at 355 nm within a hybrid catheter was suggested for that purpose. In this work, short nanosecond pulses of a solid-state laser at 355 nm delivered through a hybrid catheter, composed of optical fibers and a blunt mechanical blade, are used to conduct a pre-clinical study and two clinical cases. The pre-clinical study consisted of an atherosclerotic calcified cadaveric leg and a porcine in vivo trial within the iliac artery, respectively. The clinical cases include chronic total occlusions with a calcified lesion. The occluded cadaveric leg is recanalized successfully and no evidence of thermal necrosis is indicated in the histopathology analysis of the porcine study. No arterial wall damage is demonstrated on the animals' treated arteries and no significant impact on blood count and biochemistry analysis is noted in the animal trial. Successful recanalization of the occluded arteries followed by balloon angioplasty is obtained in both clinical cases. Our work constitutes a proof of concept for using a solid-state pulsed laser at 355 nm in atherectomy. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Endothelial cell density after photorefractive keratectomy for moderate myopia using a 213 nm solid-state laser system.

PubMed

Tsiklis, Nikolaos S; Kymionis, George D; Pallikaris, Aristofanis I; Diakonis, Vasilios F; Ginis, Harilaos S; Kounis, George A; Panagopoulou, Sophia I; Pallikaris, Ioannis G

2007-11-01

To evaluate whether photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for moderate myopia using a solid-state laser with a wavelength of 213 nm alters the corneal endothelial cell density. University refractive surgery center. The corneal endothelium was analyzed preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using corneal confocal microscopy (modified HRT II with a Rostock Cornea Module, Heidelberg Engineering) in 60 eyes (30 patients). Patients were randomized to have myopic PRK using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser (study group) or a conventional 193 nm wavelength excimer laser (control group). Three endothelial images were acquired in each of 30 preoperative normal eyes to evaluate the repeatability of endothelial cell density measurements. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the variations in endothelial cell density between the 2 lasers and the changes in endothelial cell density over time. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, corneal pachymetry, attempted correction, preoperative endothelial cell density, or postoperative refractive outcomes (uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and spherical equivalent refraction) between the 2 groups (P>.05). The coefficient of repeatability of endothelial cell density was 131 cells/mm(2). The measured endothelial cell count per 1.0 mm(2) did not significantly change up to 1 year postoperatively in either group (both P>.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in any postoperative interval (P>.05). Photorefractive keratectomy for moderate myopia using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser or a conventional 193 nm wavelength excimer laser did not significantly affect corneal endothelial density during the 1-year postoperative period.

Investigation of the Effect of Small Hardening Spots Created on the Sample Surface by Laser Complex with Solid-State Laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nozdrina, O.; Zykov, I.; Melnikov, A.; Tsipilev, V.; Turanov, S.

2018-03-01

This paper describes the results of an investigation of the effect of small hardening spots (about 1 mm) created on the surface of a sample by laser complex with solid-state laser. The melted area of the steel sample is not exceed 5%. Steel microhardness change in the region subjected to laser treatment is studied. Also there is a graph of the deformation of samples dependence on the tension. As a result, the yield plateau and plastic properties changes were detected. The flow line was tracked in the series of speckle photographs. As a result we can see how mm surface inhomogeneity can influence on the deformation and strength properties of steel.

Application of a compact diode pumped solid-state laser source for quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tortschanoff, Andreas; Baumgart, Marcus; Kroupa, Gerhard

2017-12-01

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technology holds the potential for onsite real-time measurements of steel products. However, for a mobile and robust LIBS measurement system, an adequate small and ruggedized laser source is a key requirement. In this contribution, we present tests with our compact high-power laser source, which, initially, was developed for ignition applications. The CTR HiPoLas® laser is a robust diode pumped solid-state laser with a passive Q-switch with dimensions of less than 10 cm3. The laser generates 2.5-ns pulses with 30 mJ at a maximum continuous repetition rate of about 30 Hz. Feasibility of LIBS experiments with the laser source was experimentally verified with steel samples. The results show that the laser with its current optical output parameters is very well-suited for LIBS measurements. We believe that the miniaturized laser presented here will enable very compact and robust portable high-performance LIBS systems.

Influence of the difference between corneal and refractive astigmatism on LASIK outcomes using solid-state technology.

PubMed

Piñero, David P; Ribera, David; Pérez-Cambrodí, Rafael J; Ruiz-Fortes, Pedro; Blanes-Mompó, Francisco J; Alzamora-Rodríguez, Antonio; Artola, Alberto

2014-12-01

To evaluate the influence of the difference between preoperative corneal and refractive astigmatism [ocular residual astigmatism (ORA)] on outcomes obtained after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for correction of myopic astigmatism using the solid-state laser technology. One hundred one consecutive eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism of 55 patients undergoing LASIK surgery using the Pulzar Z1 solid-state laser (CustomVis Laser Pty Ltd, currently CV Laser) were included. Visual and refractive changes at 6 months postoperatively and changes in ORA and anterior corneal astigmatism and posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA) were analyzed. Postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (P < 0.01). Likewise, refractive cylinder magnitude and spherical equivalent were reduced significantly (P < 0.01). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in ORA magnitude (P = 0.81) and anterior corneal astigmatism (P = 0.12). The mean overall efficacy and safety indices were 0.96 and 1.01, respectively. These indices were not correlated with preoperative ORA (r = -0.15, P = 0.15). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between ORA (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) and PCA postoperatively, but not preoperatively (r = 0.12, P = 0.25). Likewise, a significant correlation of ORA with manifest refraction was only found postoperatively (r = -0.38, P < 0.01). The magnitude of ORA does not seem to be a predictive factor of efficacy and safety of myopic LASIK using a solid-state laser platform. The higher relevance of PCA after surgery in some cases may explain the presence of unexpected astigmatic residual refractive errors.

Dynamics of Re(2,2'-bipyridine)(CO)3Cl MLCT formation and decay after picosecond pulsed X-ray excitation and femtosecond UV excitation.

PubMed

Zhao, Liyan; Odaka, Hideho; Ono, Hiroshi; Kajimoto, Shinji; Hatanaka, Koji; Hobley, Jonathan; Fukumura, Hiroshi

2005-01-01

The dynamics of Re(2,2'-bipyridine)(CO)3Cl MLCT state formation and decay were determined after femtosecond UV laser excitation and picosecond pulsed X-ray excitation, in an N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution as well as in its solid form. At room temperature, after UV excitation, this MLCT excited state emits both in DMF solution and in the solid form. Transient absorption spectra were measured in solution at various delay times following excitation by a 160 fs, 390 nm laser pulse. There was a prompt absorption increase at around 460 nm occurring within the pump probe convolution (<1 ps), which was assigned to the formation of the 3MLCT state. This transient absorbance was constant over 100 ps. In contrast to the solution state, in the solid state, the emission maximum slightly red-shifts with increasing time after laser excitation. In both solid and solution the emission rises within the system response time. The solid sample exhibited a 1.4 ns emission decay that was not observed for the solution sample. The emission rise from a solid sample after 20 ps pulsed X-ray excitation was significantly slower than the system's time resolution. It is proposed that kinetically energetic electrons are ejected following X-ray induced ionisation, creating ionised tracks in which energetic cations and electrons take time to recombine yielding delayed 3MLCT states that emit.

Simple, low-noise piezo driver with feed-forward for broad tuning of external cavity diode lasers.

PubMed

Doret, S Charles

2018-02-01

We present an inexpensive, low-noise (<260 μV rms , 0.1 Hz-100 kHz) design for a piezo driver suitable for frequency tuning of external-cavity diode lasers. This simple driver improves upon many commercially available drivers by incorporating circuitry to produce a "feed-forward" signal appropriate for making simultaneous adjustments to the piezo voltage and laser current, enabling dramatic improvements in a mode-hop-free laser frequency tuning range. We present the theory behind our driver's operation, characterize its output noise, and demonstrate its use in absorption spectroscopy on the rubidium D 1 line.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Dental Composites Cured with CAD/CAM Assisted Solid-State Laser

PubMed Central

De Santis, Roberto; Gloria, Antonio; Maietta, Saverio; Martorelli, Massimo; De Luca, Alessandro; Spagnuolo, Gianrico; Riccitiello, Francesco; Rengo, Sandro

2018-01-01

Over the last three decades, it has been frequently reported that the properties of dental restorative composites cured with argon laser are similar or superior to those achieved with conventional halogen and light emitting diode (LED) curing units. Whereas laser curing is not dependent on the distance between the curing unit and the material, such distance represents a drawback for conventional curing units. However, a widespread clinical application of this kind of laser remains difficult due to cost, heavy weight, and bulky size. Recently, with regard to the radiation in the blue region of the spectrum, powerful solid-state lasers have been commercialized. In the current research, CAD (computer-aided design)/CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) assisted solid-state lasers were employed for curing of different dental restorative composites consisting of micro- and nanoparticle-reinforced materials based on acrylic resins. Commercial LED curing units were used as a control. Temperature rise during the photopolymerisation process and bending properties were measured. By providing similar light energy dose, no significant difference in temperature rise was observed when the two light sources provided similar intensity. In addition, after 7 days since curing, bending properties of composites cured with laser and LED were similar. The results suggested that this kind of laser would be suitable for curing dental composites, and the curing process does not suffer from the tip-to-tooth distance. PMID:29584683

Solid-state lasers for coherent communication and remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1992-01-01

Semiconductor-diode laser-pumped solid-state lasers have properties that are superior to other lasers for the applications of coherent communication and remote sensing. These properties include efficiency, reliability, stability, and capability to be scaled to higher powers. We have demonstrated that an optical phase-locked loop can be used to lock the frequency of two diode-pumped 1.06 micron Nd:YAG lasers to levels required for coherent communication. Monolithic nonplanar ring oscillators constructed from solid pieces of the laser material provide better than 10 kHz frequency stability over 0.1 sec intervals. We have used active feedback stabilization of the cavity length of these lasers to demonstrate 0.3 Hz frequency stabilization relative to a reference cavity. We have performed experiments and analysis to show that optical parametric oscillators (OPO's) reproduce the frequency stability of the pump laser in outputs that can be tuned to arbitrary wavelengths. Another measurement performed in this program has demonstrated the sub-shot-noise character of correlations of the fluctuations in the twin output of OPO's. Measurements of nonlinear optical coefficients by phase-matched second harmonic generation are helping to resolve inconsistency in these important parameters.

Optically triggered high voltage switch network and method for switching a high voltage

DOEpatents

El-Sharkawi, Mohamed A.; Andexler, George; Silberkleit, Lee I.

1993-01-19

An optically triggered solid state switch and method for switching a high voltage electrical current. A plurality of solid state switches (350) are connected in series for controlling electrical current flow between a compensation capacitor (112) and ground in a reactive power compensator (50, 50') that monitors the voltage and current flowing through each of three distribution lines (52a, 52b and 52c), which are supplying three-phase power to one or more inductive loads. An optical transmitter (100) controlled by the reactive power compensation system produces light pulses that are conveyed over optical fibers (102) to a switch driver (110') that includes a plurality of series connected optical triger circuits (288). Each of the optical trigger circuits controls a pair of the solid state switches and includes a plurality of series connected resistors (294, 326, 330, and 334) that equalize or balance the potential across the plurality of trigger circuits. The trigger circuits are connected to one of the distribution lines through a trigger capacitor (340). In each switch driver, the light signals activate a phototransistor (300) so that an electrical current flows from one of the energy reservoir capacitors through a pulse transformer (306) in the trigger circuit, producing gate signals that turn on the pair of serially connected solid state switches (350).

A motionless actuation system for magnetic shape memory devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armstrong, Andrew; Finn, Kevin; Hobza, Anthony; Lindquist, Paul; Rafla, Nader; Müllner, Peter

2017-10-01

Ni-Mn-Ga is a Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) alloy that changes shape in response to a variable magnetic field. We can intentionally manipulate the shape of the material to function as an actuator, and the material can thus replace complicated small electromechanical systems. In previous work, a very simple and precise solid-state micropump was developed, but a mechanical rotation was required to translate the position of the magnetic field. This mechanical rotation defeats the purpose of the motionless solid-state device. Here we present a solid-state electromagnetic driver to linearly progress the position of the applied magnetic field and the associated shrinkage. The generated magnetic field was focused at either of two pole pieces, providing a mechanism for moving the localized shrinkage in the MSM element. We confirmed that our driver has sufficient strength to actuate the MSM element using optical microscopy. We validated the whole design by comparing results obtained with finite element analysis with the experimentally measured flux density. This drive system serves as a possible replacement to the mechanical rotation of the magnetic field by using a multi-pole electromagnet that sweeps the magnetic field across the MSM micropump element, solid-state switching the current to each pole piece in the multi-pole electromagnet.

Simultaneous passively Q-switched dual-wavelength solid-state laser working at 1065 and 1066 nm.

PubMed

Pallas, Florent; Herault, Emilie; Roux, Jean-Francois; Kevorkian, Antoine; Coutaz, Jean-Louis; Vitrant, Guy

2012-07-15

A passively Q-switched dual-wavelength solid-state laser is presented. The two wavelengths are emitted by two different crystals in order to avoid gain competition, and the synchronization between the pulses is obtained by external triggering of the saturable absorber. Sum frequency mixing is demonstrated, proving the interest of this source for terahertz generation in the 0.3-0.4 THz range through difference frequency generation.

Generation of vortex array laser beams with Dove prism embedded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Shu-Chun

2009-02-01

This paper introduces a scheme for generation of vortex laser beams from a solid-state laser with off-axis laser-diode pumping. The proposed system consists of a Dove prism embedded in an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration. This configuration allows controlled construction of p × p vortex array beams from Ince-Gaussian modes, IGep,p modes. An incident IGe p,p laser beam of variety order p can easily be generated from an end-pumped solid-state laser with an off-axis pumping mechanism. This study simulates this type of vortex array laser beam generation and discusses beam propagation effects. The formation of ordered transverse emission patterns have applications in a variety of areas such as optical data storage, distribution, and processing that exploit the robustness of soliton and vortex fields and optical manipulations of small particles and atoms in the featured intensity distribution.

generation of picosecond pulses in solid-state lasers using new active media

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

Lisitsyn, V.N.; Matrosov, V.N.; Pestryakov, E.V.

Results are reported of investigations aimed at generating nanosecond radiation pulses in solid-state lasers using new active media having broad gain lines. Passive mode locking is accomplished for the first time in a BeLa:Nd/sup 3/ laser at a wavelength 1.354 microm, and in a YAG:Nd/sup 3/ laser on a 1.32-microm transition. The free lasing and mode-locking regimes were investigated in an alexandrite (BeA1/sub 2/O/sub 4/:Cr/sup 3/) laser in the 0.72-0.78-microm range and in a synchronously pumped laser on F/sub 2//sup -/ centers in LiF in the 1.12-1.24-microm region. The features of nonlinear perception of IR radiation by the eye, usingmore » a developed picosecond laser on F/sub 2//sup -/ centers, are investigated for the first time.« less

Blue-green upconversion laser

DOEpatents

Nguyen, D.C.; Faulkner, G.E.

1990-08-14

A blue-green laser (450--550 nm) uses a host crystal doped with Tm[sup 3+]. The Tm[sup 3+] is excited through upconversion by a red pumping laser and an IR pumping laser to a state which transitions to a relatively lower energy level through emissions in the blue-green band, e.g., 450.20 nm at 75 K. The exciting laser may be tunable dye lasers or may be solid-state semiconductor laser, e.g., GaAlAs and InGaAlP. 3 figs.

Blue-green upconversion laser

DOEpatents

Nguyen, Dinh C.; Faulkner, George E.

1990-01-01

A blue-green laser (450-550 nm) uses a host crystal doped with Tm.sup.3+. The Tm.sup.+ is excited through upconversion by a red pumping laser and an IR pumping laser to a state which transitions to a relatively lower energy level through emissions in the blue-green band, e.g., 450.20 nm at 75 K. The exciting laser may be tunable dye lasers or may be solid-state semiconductor laser, e.g., GaAlAs and InGaAlP.

Local Laser Cooling of Yb:YLF to 110 K

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

R. I . Epstein, “Optical refrigeration,” Nat. Photonics 1(12), 693–699 (2007). 3. M. Sheik- Bahae and R. I . Epstein, “Laser cooling of solids,” Laser...15. W. M. Patterson, M. Sheik- Bahae , R. I . Epstein, and M. P. Hehlen, “Model of laser-induced temperature changes in solid-state optical...179 (2001). 19. M. P. Hasselbeck, M. Sheik- Bahae , and R. I . Epstein, “Effect of high carrier density on luminescence thermometry in semiconductors

Temporal model of an optically pumped co-doped solid state laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wangler, T. G.; Swetits, J. J.; Buoncristiani, A. M.

1993-01-01

Currently, research is being conducted on the optical properties of materials associated with the development of solid state lasers in the two micron region. In support of this effort, a mathematical model describing the energy transfer in a holmium laser sensitized with thulium is developed. In this paper, we establish some qualitative properties of the solution of the model, such as non-negativity, boundedness, and integrability. A local stability analysis is then performed from which conditions for asymptotic stability are attained. Finally, we report on our numerical analysis of the system and how it compares with experimental results.

High Energy, Single-Mode, All-Solid-State Nd:YAG Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, Narasimha S.; Singh, Upendra N.; Hovis, Floyd

2006-01-01

In this paper, recent progress made in the design and development of an all-solid-state, single longitudinal mode, conductively cooled Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm wavelength for UV lidar for ozone sensing applications is presented. Currently, this pump laser provides an output pulse energy of greater than 1.1 J/pulse at 50 Hz PRF and a pulsewidth of 22 ns. The spatial profile of the output beam is a rectangular super Gaussian. Electrical-to-optical system efficiency of greater than 7% and a minimum M(sup 2) value of less than 2 have been achieved.

UV lasers for drilling and marking applications.

PubMed

Hannon, T

1999-10-01

Lasers emitting ultraviolet (UV) light have unique capabilities for precision micromachining and marking plastic medical devices. This review of the benefits offered by laser technology includes a look at recently developed UV diode-pumped solid-state lasers and their key features.

High Precision Wavelength Monitor for Tunable Laser Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Froggatt, Mark E. (Inventor); Childers, Brooks A. (Inventor)

2002-01-01

A solid-state apparatus for tracking the wavelength of a laser emission has a power splitter that divides the laser emission into at least three equal components. Differing phase shifts are detected and processed to track variations of the laser emission.

Multiple frequency optical mixer and demultiplexer and apparatus for remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Jeffrey R. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A pulsed laser system includes a modulator module configured to provide pulsed electrical signals and a plurality of solid-state seed sources coupled to the modulator module and configured to operate, responsive to the pulsed electrical signals, in a pulse mode. Each of the plurality of solid-state seed sources is tuned to a different frequency channel separated from any adjacent frequency channel by a frequency offset. The pulsed laser system also includes a combiner that combines outputs from each of the solid state seed sources into a single optical path and an optical doubler and demultiplexer coupled to the single optical path and providing each doubled seed frequency on a separate output path.

Near infrared lasers in flow cytometry.

PubMed

Telford, William G

2015-07-01

Technology development in flow cytometry has closely tracked laser technology, the light source that flow cytometers almost exclusively use to excite fluorescent probes. The original flow cytometers from the 1970s and 1980s used large water-cooled lasers to produce only one or two laser lines at a time. Modern cytometers can take advantage of the revolution in solid state laser technology to use almost any laser wavelength ranging from the ultraviolet to the near infrared. Commercial cytometers can now be equipped with many small solid state lasers, providing almost any wavelength needed for cellular analysis. Flow cytometers are now equipped to analyze 20 or more fluorescent probes simultaneously, requiring multiple laser wavelengths. Instrument developers are now trying to increase this number by designing fluorescent probes that can be excited by laser wavelength at the "edges" of the visible light range, in the near ultraviolet and near-infrared region. A variety of fluorescent probes have been developed that excite with violet and long wavelength ultraviolet light; however, the near-infrared range (660-800 nm) has yet seen only exploitation in flow cytometry. Fortunately, near-infrared laser diodes and other solid state laser technologies appropriate for flow cytometry have been in existence for some time, and can be readily incorporated into flow cytometers to accelerate fluorescent probe development. The near infrared region represents one of the last "frontiers" to maximize the number of fluorescent probes that can be analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, near infrared fluorescent probes used in biomedical tracking and imaging could also be employed for flow cytometry with the correct laser wavelengths. This review describes the available technology, including lasers, fluorescent probes and detector technology optimal for near infrared signal detection. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Organic Lasers: Recent Developments on Materials, Device Geometries, and Fabrication Techniques.

PubMed

Kuehne, Alexander J C; Gather, Malte C

2016-11-09

Organic dyes have been used as gain medium for lasers since the 1960s, long before the advent of today's organic electronic devices. Organic gain materials are highly attractive for lasing due to their chemical tunability and large stimulated emission cross section. While the traditional dye laser has been largely replaced by solid-state lasers, a number of new and miniaturized organic lasers have emerged that hold great potential for lab-on-chip applications, biointegration, low-cost sensing and related areas, which benefit from the unique properties of organic gain materials. On the fundamental level, these include high exciton binding energy, low refractive index (compared to inorganic semiconductors), and ease of spectral and chemical tuning. On a technological level, mechanical flexibility and compatibility with simple processing techniques such as printing, roll-to-roll, self-assembly, and soft-lithography are most relevant. Here, the authors provide a comprehensive review of the developments in the field over the past decade, discussing recent advances in organic gain materials, which are today often based on solid-state organic semiconductors, as well as optical feedback structures, and device fabrication. Recent efforts toward continuous wave operation and electrical pumping of solid-state organic lasers are reviewed, and new device concepts and emerging applications are summarized.

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.

Modeling the effect of heatsink performance in high-peak-power laser-diode-bar pump sources for solid-state lasers 011 011

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

Honea, E.C., LLNL

We derive approximate expressions for transient output power and wavelength chirp of high- peak-power laser-diode bars assuming one-dimensional heat flow and linear temperature dependences for chirp and efficiency. The model is derived for pulse durations, 10 < {tau} < 1000 ps, typically used for diode-pumped solid-state lasers and is in good agreement with experimental data for Si heatsink mounted 940 nm laser-diode bars operating at 100 W/cm. The analytic expressions are more flexible and easily used than the results of operating point dependent numerical modeling. In addition, the analytic expressions used here can be integrated to describe the energy permore » unit wavelength for a given pulse duration, initial emission bandwidth and heatsink material. We find that the figure-of-merit for a heatsink material in this application is ({rho}C{sub p}K) where {rho}C{sub p} is the volumetric heat capacity and K is the thermal conductivity. As an example of the utility of the derived expressions, we determine an effective absorption coefficient as a function of pump pulse duration for a diode-pumped solid-state laser utilizing Yb:Sr{sub 5}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F (Yb:S-FAP) as the gain medium.« less

High repetition ration solid state switched CO2 TEA laser employed in industrial ultrasonic testing of aircraft parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Bergmann, Hubertus; Morkel, Francois; Stehmann, Timo

2015-02-01

Laser Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is an important technique for the non-destructive inspection of composite parts in the aerospace industry. In laser UT a high power, short pulse probe laser is scanned across the material surface, generating ultrasound waves which can be detected by a second low power laser system and are used to draw a defect map of the part. We report on the design and testing of a transversely excited atmospheric pressure (TEA) CO2 laser system specifically optimised for laser UT. The laser is excited by a novel solid-state switched pulsing system and utilises either spark or corona preionisation. It provides short output pulses of less than 100 ns at repetition rates of up to 1 kHz, optimised for efficient ultrasonic wave generation. The system has been designed for highly reliable operation under industrial conditions and a long term test with total pulse counts in excess of 5 billion laser pulses is reported.

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.

The US ICF Ignition Program and the Inertial Fusion Program

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

Lindl, J D; Hammel, B A; Logan, B G

2003-07-02

There has been rapid progress in inertial fusion in the past few years. This progress spans the construction of ignition facilities, a wide range of target concepts, and the pursuit of integrated programs to develop fusion energy using lasers, ion beams and z-pinches. Two ignition facilities are under construction (NIF in the U.S. and LMJ in France) and both projects are progressing toward an initial experimental capability. The LIL prototype beamline for LMJ and the first 4 beams of NIF will be available for experiments in 2003. The full 192 beam capability of NIF will be available in 2009 andmore » ignition experiments are expected to begin shortly after that time. There is steady progress in the target science and target fabrication in preparation for indirect drive ignition experiments on NIF. Advanced target designs may lead to 5-10 times more yield than initial target designs. There has also been excellent progress on the science of ion beam and z-pinch driven indirect drive targets. Excellent progress on direct-drive targets has been obtained on the Omega laser at the University of Rochester. This includes improved performance of targets with a pulse shape predicted to result in reduced hydrodynamic instability. Rochester has also obtained encouraging results from initial cryogenic implosions. There is widespread interest in the science of fast ignition because of its potential for achieving higher target gain with lower driver energy and relaxed target fabrication requirements. Researchers from Osaka have achieved outstanding implosion and heating results from the Gekko XII Petawatt facility and implosions suitable for fast ignition have been tested on the Omega laser. A broad based program to develop lasers and ions beams for IFE is under way with excellent progress in drivers, chambers, target fabrication and target injection. KrF and Diode Pumped Solid-State lasers (DPSSL) are being developed in conjunction with drywall chambers and direct drive targets. Induction accelerators for heavy ions are being developed in conjunction with thick-liquid protected wall chambers and indirect-drive targets.« less

Solid-state optical refrigeration to sub-100 Kelvin regime

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

Melgaard, Seth D.; Albrecht, Alexander R.; Hehlen, Markus P.

We report that since the first demonstration of net cooling twenty years ago, optical refrigeration of solids has progressed to outperform all other solid-state cooling processes. It has become the first and only solid-state refrigerator capable of reaching cryogenic temperatures, and now the first solid-state cooling below 100 K. Such substantial progress required a multi-disciplinary approach of pump laser absorption enhancement, material characterization and purification, and thermal management. Here we present the culmination of two decades of progress, the record cooling to ≈91K from room temperature.

Solid-state optical refrigeration to sub-100 Kelvin regime

DOE PAGES

Melgaard, Seth D.; Albrecht, Alexander R.; Hehlen, Markus P.; ...

2016-02-05

We report that since the first demonstration of net cooling twenty years ago, optical refrigeration of solids has progressed to outperform all other solid-state cooling processes. It has become the first and only solid-state refrigerator capable of reaching cryogenic temperatures, and now the first solid-state cooling below 100 K. Such substantial progress required a multi-disciplinary approach of pump laser absorption enhancement, material characterization and purification, and thermal management. Here we present the culmination of two decades of progress, the record cooling to ≈91K from room temperature.

Solid-state optical refrigeration to sub-100 Kelvin regime

PubMed Central

Melgaard, Seth D.; Albrecht, Alexander R.; Hehlen, Markus P.; Sheik-Bahae, Mansoor

2016-01-01

Since the first demonstration of net cooling twenty years ago, optical refrigeration of solids has progressed to outperform all other solid-state cooling processes. It has become the first and only solid-state refrigerator capable of reaching cryogenic temperatures, and now the first solid-state cooling below 100 K. Such substantial progress required a multi-disciplinary approach of pump laser absorption enhancement, material characterization and purification, and thermal management. Here we present the culmination of two decades of progress, the record cooling to ≈ 91 K from room temperature. PMID:26847703

Development of Ceramic Solid-State Laser Host Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, Narasimha S.; Trivedi, Sudhir; Kutcher, Susan; Wang, Chen-Chia; Kim, Joo-Soo; Hommerich, Uwe; Shukla, Vijay; Sadangi, Rajendra

2009-01-01

Polycrystalline ceramic laser materials are gaining importance in the development of novel diode-pumped solid-state lasers. Compared to single-crystals, ceramic laser materials offer advantages in terms of ease of fabrication, shape, size, and control of dopant concentrations. Recently, we have developed Neodymium doped Yttria (Nd:Y2O3) as a solid-state ceramic laser material. A scalable production method was utilized to make spherical non agglomerated and monodisperse metastable ceramic powders of compositions that were used to fabricate polycrystalline ceramic material components. This processing technique allowed for higher doping concentrations without the segregation problems that are normally encountered in single crystalline growth. We have successfully fabricated undoped and Neodymium doped Yttria material up to 2" in diameter, Ytterbium doped Yttria, and erbium doped Yttria. We are also in the process of developing other sesquioxides such as scandium Oxide (Sc2O3) and Lutesium Oxide (Lu2O3) doped with Ytterbium, erbium and thulium dopants. In this paper, we present our initial results on the material, optical, and spectroscopic properties of the doped and undoped sesquioxide materials. Polycrystalline ceramic lasers have enormous potential applications including remote sensing, chem.-bio detection, and space exploration research. It is also potentially much less expensive to produce ceramic laser materials compared to their single crystalline counterparts because of the shorter fabrication time and the potential for mass production in large sizes.

Parasitic oscillation suppression in solid state lasers using optical coatings

DOEpatents

Honea, Eric C.; Beach, Raymond J.

2005-06-07

A laser gain medium having a layered coating on at least certain surfaces of the laser gain medium. The layered coating having a reflective inner material and an absorptive scattering outside material.

Fiber Raman laser and amplifier pumped by Nd3+:YVO4 solid state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Deming; Zhang, Minming; Liu, Shuang; Nie, Mingju; Wang, Ying

2005-04-01

Pumping source is the key technology of fiber Raman amplifiers (FRA) which are important for ultra long haul and high bit rate dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems. In this paper the research work of the project, "Fiber Raman Laser and Amplifier pumped by Nd3+:YVO4 Solid State Laser", supported by the National High-tech Program (863-program) of China is introduced, in which a novel 14xx nm pump module with fine characteristics of high efficiency, simplicity, compactness and low cost is researched and developed. A compact 1342 nm Nd3+:YVO4 diode pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) module is developed with the total laser power of 655mW and the slope efficiency of 42.6% pumped by a 2W 808nm laser diode (LD). A special C-lens fiber collimator is designed to couple the 1342nm laser beam into a piece of single mode fiber (SMF) and the coupling efficiency of 80% is reached. The specific 14xx nm output laser is generated from a single stage Raman resonator which includes a pair of fiber Bragg gratings and a piece of Germanic-silicate or Phospho-silicate fiber pumped by such DPSSL module. The slope efficiency for conversion from 1342 to 14xx nm radiation is 75% and the laser power is more than 300mW each. Finally, Raman gain experiments are carried out with 100km SMF. 100 nm bandwidth with 10dB on-off Raman gain and 1.1dB gain flatness is achieved by pumped at 1425, 1438, 1455 and 1490nm.

Compact near-IR and mid-IR cavity ring down spectroscopy device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, J. Houston (Inventor)

2011-01-01

This invention relates to a compact cavity ring down spectrometer for detection and measurement of trace species in a sample gas using a tunable solid-state continuous-wave mid-infrared PPLN OPO laser or a tunable low-power solid-state continuous wave near-infrared diode laser with an algorithm for reducing the periodic noise in the voltage decay signal which subjects the data to cluster analysis or by averaging of the interquartile range of the data.

Laser properties of Fe2+:ZnSe fabricated by solid-state diffusion bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balabanov, S. S.; Firsov, K. N.; Gavrishchuk, E. M.; Ikonnikov, V. B.; Kazantsev, S. Yu; Kononov, I. G.; Kotereva, T. V.; Savin, D. V.; Timofeeva, N. A.

2018-04-01

The characteristics of an Fe2+:ZnSe laser at room temperature and its active elements with undoped faces were studied. Polycrystalline elements with one or two diffusion-doped internal layers were obtained by the solid-state diffusion bonding technique applied to chemical vapor deposition grown ZnSe plates preliminary doped with Fe2+ ions in the process of hot isostatic pressing. A non-chain electric-discharge HF laser was used to pump the crystals. It was demonstrated that increasing the number of doped layers allows increasing the maximum diameter of the pump radiation spot and the pump energy without the appearance of transversal parasitic oscillation. For the two-layer-doped active element with a diameter of 20 mm an output energy of 480 mJ was achieved with 37% total efficiency with respect to the absorbed energy. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of the developed technology for fabrication of active elements by the solid-state diffusion bonding technique combined with the hot isostatic pressing treatment for efficient IR lasers based on chalcogenides doped with transition metal ions.

Fully vectorial laser resonator modeling of continuous-wave solid-state lasers including rate equations, thermal lensing and stress-induced birefringence.

PubMed

Asoubar, Daniel; Wyrowski, Frank

2015-07-27

The computer-aided design of high quality mono-mode, continuous-wave solid-state lasers requires fast, flexible and accurate simulation algorithms. Therefore in this work a model for the calculation of the transversal dominant mode structure is introduced. It is based on the generalization of the scalar Fox and Li algorithm to a fully-vectorial light representation. To provide a flexible modeling concept of different resonator geometries containing various optical elements, rigorous and approximative solutions of Maxwell's equations are combined in different subdomains of the resonator. This approach allows the simulation of plenty of different passive intracavity components as well as active media. For the numerically efficient simulation of nonlinear gain, thermal lensing and stress-induced birefringence effects in solid-state active crystals a semi-analytical vectorial beam propagation method is discussed in detail. As a numerical example the beam quality and output power of a flash-lamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser are improved. To that end we compensate the influence of stress-induced birefringence and thermal lensing by an aspherical mirror and a 90° quartz polarization rotator.

Advantages of III-nitride laser diodes in solid-state lighting: Advantages of III-nitride laser diodes in solid-state lighting

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

Wierer, Jonathan J.; Tsao, Jeffrey Y.

2015-01-14

III-nitride laser diodes (LDs) are an interesting light source for solid-state lighting (SSL). Modelling of LDs is performed to reveal the potential advantages over traditionally used light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The first, and most notable, advantage is LDs have higher efficiency at higher currents when compared to LEDs. This is because Auger recombination that causes efficiency droop can no longer grow after laser threshold. Second, the same phosphor-converted methods used with LEDs can also be used with LDs to produce white light with similar color rendering and color temperature. Third, producing white light from color mixed emitters is equally challenging formore » both LEDs and LDs, with neither source having a direct advantage. Fourth, the LD emission is directional and can be more readily captured and focused, leading to the possibility of novel and more compact luminaires. Finally, the smaller area and higher current density operation of LDs provides them with a potential cost advantage over LEDs. These advantages make LDs a compelling source for future SSL.« less

Solid State Division progress report for period ending March 31, 1992

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

Green, P.H.; Hinton, L.W.

1992-09-01

During this period, the division conducted a broad, interdisciplinary materials research program with emphasis on theoretical solid state physics, superconductivity, neutron scattering, synthesis and characterization of materials, ion beam and laser processing, and the structure of solids and surfaces. The High Flux Isotope Reactor was returned to full operation.

Multilevel perspective on high-order harmonic generation in solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Mengxi; Browne, Dana A.; Schafer, Kenneth J.; Gaarde, Mette B.

2016-12-01

We investigate high-order harmonic generation in a solid, modeled as a multilevel system dressed by a strong infrared laser field. We show that the cutoff energies and the relative strengths of the multiple plateaus that emerge in the harmonic spectrum can be understood both qualitatively and quantitatively by considering a combination of adiabatic and diabatic processes driven by the strong field. Such a model was recently used to interpret the multiple plateaus exhibited in harmonic spectra generated by solid argon and krypton [G. Ndabashimiye et al., Nature 534, 520 (2016), 10.1038/nature17660]. We also show that when the multilevel system originates from the Bloch state at the Γ point of the band structure, the laser-dressed states are equivalent to the Houston states [J. B. Krieger and G. J. Iafrate, Phys. Rev. B 33, 5494 (1986), 10.1103/PhysRevB.33.5494] and will therefore map out the band structure away from the Γ point as the laser field increases. This leads to a semiclassical three-step picture in momentum space that describes the high-order harmonic generation process in a solid.

X-Band, 17-Watt Solid-State Power Amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittskus, Anthony; Stone, Ernest; Boger, William; Burgess, David; Honda, Richard; Nuckolls, Carl

2005-01-01

An advanced solid-state power amplifier that can generate an output power of as much as 17 W at a design operating frequency of 8.4 GHz has been designed and constructed as a smaller, lighter, less expensive alternative to traveling-wave-tube X-band amplifiers and to prior solid-state X-band power amplifiers of equivalent output power. This amplifier comprises a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifier module and a power-converter module integrated into a compact package (see Figure 1). The amplifier module contains an input variable-gain amplifier (VGA), an intermediate driver stage, a final power stage, and input and output power monitors (see Figure 2). The VGA and the driver amplifier are 0.5-m GaAs-based metal semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs). The final power stage contains four parallel high-efficiency, GaAs-based pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistors (PHEMTs). The gain of the VGA is voltage-variable over a range of 10 to 24 dB. To provide for temperature compensation of the overall amplifier gain, the gain-control voltage is generated by an operational-amplifier circuit that includes a resistor/thermistor temperature-sensing network. The driver amplifier provides a gain of 14 dB to an output power of 27 dBm to drive the four parallel output PHEMTs, each of which is nominally capable of putting out as much as 5 W. The driver output is sent to the input terminals of the four parallel PHEMTs through microstrip power dividers; the outputs of these PHEMTs are combined by microstrip power combiners (which are similar to the microstrip power dividers) to obtain the final output power of 17 W.

Solid-State, High Energy 2-Micron Laser Development for Space-Based Remote Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.

2010-01-01

Lidar (light detection and ranging) remote sensing enjoys the advantages of excellent vertical and horizontal resolution; pointing capability; a signal source independent from natural light; and control and knowledge of transmitted wavelength, pulse shape, and polarization and received polarization. Lidar in space is an emerging technology now being developing to fit applications where passive sensors cannot meet current measurement requirements. Technical requirements for space lidar are more demanding than for ground-based or airborne systems. Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristics of space lidars are the environmental requirements. Space lidar systems must be specially designed to survive the mechanical vibration loads of launch and operate in the vacuum of space where exposure to ionizing radiation limits the electronic components available. Finally, space lidars must be designed to be highly reliable because they must operate without the need for repair or adjustment. Lifetime requirements tend to be important drivers of the overall system design. The maturity of the required technologies is a key to the development of any space lidar system. NASA entered a new era in the 1990 s with the approval of several space-based remote sensing missions employing laser radar (lidar) techniques. Following the steps of passive remote sensing and then active radar remote sensing, lidar sensors were a logical next step, providing independence from natural light sources, and better spatial resolution and smaller sensor size than radar sensors. The shorter electromagnetic wavelengths of laser light also allowed signal reflectance from air molecules and aerosol particles. The smaller receiver apertures allowed the concept of scanning the sensor field of view. However, technical problems with several space-based lidar missions during that decade led to concern at NASA about the risk of lidar missions. An external panel was convened to make recommendations to NASA. Their report in 2000 strongly advocated that NASA maintain in-house laser and lidar capability, and that NASA should work to lower the technology risk for all future lidar missions. A multi-Center NASA team formulated an integrated NASA strategy to provide the technology and maturity of systems necessary to make Lidar/Laser systems viable for space-based study and monitoring of the Earth's atmosphere. In 2002 the NASA Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) and Office of Aerospace Technology (OAT) created the Laser Risk Reduction Program (LRRP) and directed NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Goddard Space Flight Center to carry out synergistic and complementary research towards solid-state lasers/lidars developments for space-based remote sensing applications.

Compact high-pulse-energy ultraviolet laser source for ozone lidar measurements.

PubMed

Elsayed, Khaled A; DeYoung, Russell J; Petway, Larry B; Edwards, William C; Barnes, James C; Elsayed-Ali, Hani E

2003-11-20

An all solid-state Ti:sapphire laser differential absorption lidar transmitter was developed. This all-solid-state laser provides a compact, robust, and highly reliable laser transmitter for potential application in differential absorption lidar measurements of atmospheric ozone. Two compact, high-energy-pulsed, and injection-seeded Ti:sapphire lasers operating at a pulse repetition frequency of 30 Hz and wavelengths of 867 and 900 nm, with M2 of 1.3, have been experimentally demonstrated and their properties compared with model results. The output pulse energy was 115 mJ at 867 nm and 105 mJ at 900 nm, with a slope efficiency of 40% and 32%, respectively. At these energies, the beam quality was good enough so that we were able to achieve 30 mJ of ultraviolet laser output at 289 and 300 nm after frequency tripling with two lithium triborate nonlinear crystals.

Solid-state laser source of narrowband ultraviolet B light for skin disease care with advanced performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarasov, Aleksandr A.; Chu, Hong; Buchwald, Kristian

2015-02-01

Two years ago we reported about the development of solid state laser source for medical skin treatment with wavelength 310.6 nm and average power 200 mW. Here we describe the results of investigation of the advanced version of the laser, which is a more compact device with increased output power and flat top beam profile. Ti: Sapphire laser, the main module of our source, was modified and optimized such, that UV average power of the device was increased 1.7 times. Fiber optic homogenizer was replaced by articulated arm with diffraction diffuser, providing round spot with flat profile at the skin. We investigated and compare characteristics of Ti: Sapphire lasers with volume Bragg grating and with fused silica transmission grating, which was used first time for Ti: Sapphire laser spectral selection and tuning. Promising performance of last gratings is demonstrated.

High peak power solid-state laser for micromachining of hard materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herbst, Ludolf; Quitter, John P.; Ray, Gregory M.; Kuntze, Thomas; Wiessner, Alexander O.; Govorkov, Sergei V.; Heglin, Mike

2003-06-01

Laser micromachining has become a key enabling technology in the ever-continuing trend of miniaturization in microelectronics, micro-optics, and micromechanics. New applications have become commercially viable due to the emergence of innovative laser sources, such as diode pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL), and the progress in processing technology. Examples of industrial applications are laser-drilled micro-injection nozzles for highly efficient automobile engines, or manufacturing of complex spinnerets for production of synthetic fibers. The unique advantages of laser-based techniques stem from their ability to produce high aspect ratio holes, while yielding low heat affected zones with exceptional surface quality, roundness and taper tolerances. Additionally, the ability to drill blind holes and slots in very hard materials such as diamond, silicon, sapphire, ceramics and steel is of great interest for many applications in microelectronics, semiconductor and automotive industry. This kind of high quality, high aspect ratio micromachining requires high peak power and short pulse durations.

Large-energy, narrow-bandwidth laser pulse at 1645 nm in a diode-pumped Er:YAG solid-state laser passively Q-switched by a monolayer graphene saturable absorber.

PubMed

Zhou, Rong; Tang, Pinghua; Chen, Yu; Chen, Shuqing; Zhao, Chujun; Zhang, Han; Wen, Shuangchun

2014-01-10

Nonlinear transmission parameters of monolayer graphene at 1645 nm were obtained. Based on the monolayer graphene saturable absorber, a 1532 nm LD pumped 1645 nm passively Q-switched Er:YAG laser was demonstrated. Under the pump power of 20.8 W, a 1645 nm Q-switched pulse with FWHM of 0.13 nm (without the use of etalon) and energy of 13.5 μJ per pulse can be obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest pulse energy for graphene-based passively Q-switched Er:YAG laseroperating at 1645 nm, suggesting the potentials of graphene materials for high-energy solid-state laser applications.

Fabrication of a saturable absorber WS2 and its mode locking in solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chun-Yu; Zhang, Ling; Tang, Xiao-Ying; Yang, Ying-Ying

2018-04-01

We report on a passively mode-locked Nd : LuVO4 laser using a type saturable absorber of tungsten disulfide (WS2) fabricated by chemical vapor deposition method. At the pump power of 3.3 W, 1.18-W average output power of continuous-wave mode-locked laser with optical conversion efficiency of 36% was achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest output power of passively mode-locked solid-state laser based on WS2. The repetition rate of passively mode-locked pulse was 80 MHz with the pulse energy of 14.8 nJ. Our experimental results show that WS2 is an excellent type of saturable absorber.

Optical bending sensor using distributed feedback solid state dye lasers on optical fiber.

PubMed

Kubota, Hiroyuki; Oomi, Soichiro; Yoshioka, Hiroaki; Watanabe, Hirofumi; Oki, Yuji

2012-07-02

Novel type of optical fiber sensor was proposed and demonstrated. The print-like fabrication technique fabricates multiple distributed feedback solid state dye lasers on a polymeric optical fiber (POF) with tapered coupling. This multi-active-sidecore structure was easily fabricated and provides multiple functions. Mounting the lasers on the same point of a multimode POF demonstrated a bending radius sensitivity of 20 m without any supports. Two axis directional sensing without cross talk was also confirmed. A more complicated mounting formation can demonstrate a twisted POF. The temperature property of the sensor was also studied, and elimination of the temperature influence was experimentally attained.

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) Laser Transmitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Afzal, Robert S.; Yu, Anthony W.; Dallas, Joseph L.; Melak, Anthony; Lukemir, Alan; Ramos-Izqueirdo, L.; Mamakos, William

2007-01-01

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS), launched in January 2003, is a laser altimeter and lidar for the Earth Observing System's (EOS) ICESat mission. GLAS accommodates three, sequentially operated, diode-pumped, solid-state, Nd:YAG laser transmitters. The laser transmitter requirements, design and qualification test results for this space-based remote sensing instrument is summarized and presented

Extraordinary variation of pump light intensity inside a four-level solid-state laser medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Hua; Fu, Rulian; Wang, Zhaoqi; Liu, Juan

2008-08-01

A theoretical investigation of the absorption of the pump light at different intensities through a four-level solid-state laser medium is presented. It is found that the variation of the pump intensity inside the laser medium cannot always simply be dominated by Beer's law. Transmission of the pump light through this laser medium is closely related to the pump intensity itself. In fact, when the pump intensity is relatively low, whose values depend on the characteristics of the medium, the variation of the pump light through the laser medium is consistent with Beer's law. However, while the pump intensity is high enough, the relationship between the transmission of the pump light and its propagation distance is demonstrated to be linear. These theoretical results have been confirmed by the experiment with a medium of YAG:Nd.

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.

Continuous-wave sodium D2 resonance radiation generated in single-pass sum-frequency generation with periodically poled lithium niobate.

PubMed

Yue, J; She, C-Y; Williams, B P; Vance, J D; Acott, P E; Kawahara, T D

2009-04-01

With two cw single-mode Nd:YAG lasers at 1064 and 1319 nm and a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal, 11 mW of 2 kHz/100 ms bandwidth single-mode tunable 589 nm cw radiation has been detected using single-pass sum-frequency generation. The demonstrated conversion efficiency is approximately 3.2%[W(-1) cm(-1)]. This compact solid-state light source has been used in a solid-state-dye laser hybrid sodium fluorescence lidar transmitter to measure temperatures and winds in the upper atmosphere (80-105 km); it is being implemented into the transmitter of a mobile all-solid-state sodium temperature and wind lidar under construction.

Microchip Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-31

microchip laser : (top) schematic and (bottom) photograph of working device mounted on 12.7-mm- dia. post. switch 17 (355-nm UV ), 1.5 µJ of fourth......USA E-mail: zayhowski@ll.mit.edu Abstract Microchip lasers are a rich family of solid-state lasers defined by their small size, robust integration

High Energy Solid State and Free Electron Laser Systems in Tactical Aviation

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

specifically neodymium and ytterbium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG and Yb:YAG) have been shown to produce pump absorption efficiencies (i.e...Search Radar Dish Aluminum Alloy 2.71 10.0 0.91 321 932 300 22.1 SAM nosecone Ceramic* 3.0 1.0 0.9 1600 3300 250 12.1 T-72 Tank Armor Steel...development at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is the solid-state heat capacity laser, which is an array of diode- pumped neodymium-doped gadolinium

Development of lasers optimized for pumping Ti:Al2O3 lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rines, Glen A.; Schwarz, Richard A.

1994-01-01

Laboratory demonstrations that were completed included: (1) an all-solid-state, broadly tunable, single-frequency, Ti:Al2O3 master oscillator, and (2) a technique for obtaining 'long' (nominally 100- to 200-ns FWHM) laser pulses from a Q-switched, Nd oscillator at energy levels commensurate with straightforward amplification to the joule level. A diode-laser-pumped, Nd:YLF laser with intracavity SHG was designed, constructed, and evaluated. With this laser greater than 0.9 W of CW, output power at 523.5 nm with 10 W of diode-laser pump power delivered to the Nd:YLF crystal was obtained. With this laser as a pump source, for the first time, to our knowledge, an all solid-state, single frequency, Ti:Al203 laser with sufficient output power to injection seed a high-energy oscillator over a 20-nm bandwidth was demonstrated. The pulsed laser work succeeded in demonstrating pulse-stretching in a Q-switched Nd:YAG oscillator. Pulse energies greater than 50-mJ were obtained in pulses with 100- to 200-ns pulsewidths (FWHM).

Elucidation of Free Radical and Optogalvanic Spectroscopy Associated with Microgravity Combustion via Conventional and Novel Laser Platforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Misra, Prabhakar; She, Yong-Bo; Zhu, Xin-Ming; King, Michael

1997-01-01

Combustion studies under both normal gravity and microgravity conditions depend a great deal on the availability and quality of the diagnostic systems used for such investigations. Microgravity phenomena are specially susceptible to even small perturbations and therefore non-intrusive diagnostic techniques are of paramount importance for successful understanding of reduced-gravity combustion phenomena. Several non-intrusive diagnostic techniques are available for probing and delineating normal as well as reduced gravity combustion processes, such as Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering, Mie scattering, velocimetry, interferometric and Schlieren techniques, emission and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy. Our approach is to use the LIF technique as a non-intrusive diagnostic tool for the study of combustion-associated free radicals and use the concomitant optogalvanic transitions to accomplish precise calibration of the laser wavelengths used for recording the excitation spectra of transient molecular species. In attempting to perform spectroscopic measurements on chemical intermediates, we have used conventional laser sources as well as new and novel platforms employing rare-earth doped solid-state lasers. Conventional (commercially available) sources of tunable UV laser radiation are extremely cumbersome and energy-consuming devices that are not very suitable for either in-space or in-flight (or microgravity drop tower) experiments. Traditional LIF sources of tunable UV laser radiation involve in addition to a pump laser (usually a Nd:YAG laser with an attached frequency-doubling stage), a tunable dye laser. In turn, the dye laser has to be provided with a dye circulation system and a subsequent stage for frequency-doubling of the dye laser radiation, together with a servo-tuning system (termed the 'Autotracker') to follow the wavelength changes and also an optical system (called the 'Frequency Separator') for separation of the emanating visible and UV beams. In contrast to this approach, we have devised an alternate arrangement for recording LIF excitation spectra of free radicals (following appropriate precursor fragmentation) that utilizes a tunable rare-earth doped solid state laser system with direct UV pumping. We have designed a compact and portable tunable UV laser system incorporating features necessary for both in-space and in-flight spectroscopy experiments. For the purpose of LIF excitation, we have developed an all-solid-state tunable UV laser that employs direct pumping of the solid-state UV-active medium employing UV harmonics from a Nd:YAG laser. An optical scheme with counterpropagating photolysis and excitation beams focused by suitable lenses into a reaction vacuum chamber was employed.

Reliability of solid-state lighting electrical drivers subjected to WHTOL accelerated aging

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

Lall, Pradeep; Sakalauku, Peter; Davis, Lynn

An investigation of a solid-state lighting (SSL) luminaire with the focus on the electronic driver which has been exposed to a standard wet hot temperature operating life (WHTOL) of 85% RH and 85°C in order to assess reliability of prolonged exposer to a harsh environment has been conducted. SSL luminaires are beginning introduced as head lamps in some of today's luxury automobiles and may also be fulfilling a variety of important outdoor applications such as overhead street lamps, traffic signals and landscape lighting. SSL luminaires in these environments are almost certain to encounter excessive moisture from humidity and high temperaturesmore » for a persistent period of time. The lack of accelerated test methods for LEDs to assess long-term reliability prior to introduction into the marketplace, a need for SSL physics based PHM modeling indicators for assessment and prediction of LED life, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy's R&D roadmap to replace todays lighting with SSL luminaires makes it important to increase the understanding of the reliability of SSL devices, specifically, in harsh environment applications. In this work, a set of SSL electrical drivers were investigated to determine failure mechanisms that occur during prolonged harsh environment applications. Each driver consists of four aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs) of three different types and was considered the weakest component inside the SSL electrical driver. The reliability of the electrical driver was assessed by monitoring the change in capacitance and the change in equivalent series resistance for each AEC, as well as monitoring the luminous flux of the SSL luminaire or the output of the electrical driver. The luminous flux of a pristine SSL electrical driver was also monitored in order to detect minute changes in the electrical drivers output and to aid in the investigation of the SSL luminaires reliability. The failure mechanisms of the electrical drivers have been determined and are presented in this paper.« less

SPECTRAL AND MODE PROPERTIES OF SOLID-STATE LASERS AND OPTICAL DYNAMIC EFFECTS.

DTIC Science & Technology

LASERS , OPTICAL PROPERTIES), THERMAL PROPERTIES, FREQUENCY, RUBY, KERR CELLS, ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES, PHASE LOCKED SYSTEMS, GARNET, NEODYMIUM, CAVITY RESONATORS, INTERFEROMETERS, LIGHT PULSES, PROPAGATION

Solid-State 2-Micron Laser Transmitter Advancement for Wind and Carbon Dioxide Measurements From Ground, Airborne, and Space-Based Lidar Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.; Koch, Grady; Yu, Jirong; Ismail, Syed

2008-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center has been developing 2-micron lidar technologies over a decade for wind measurements, utilizing coherent Doppler wind lidar technique and carbon dioxide measurements, utilizing Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) technique. Significant advancements have been made towards developing state-of-the-art technologies towards laser transmitters, detectors, and receiver systems. These efforts have led to the development of solid-state lasers with high pulse energy, tunablility, wavelength-stability, and double-pulsed operation. This paper will present a review of these technological developments along with examples of high resolution wind and high precision CO2 DIAL measurements in the atmosphere. Plans for the development of compact high power lasers for applications in airborne and future space platforms for wind and regional to global scale measurement of atmospheric CO2 will also be discussed.

New laser materials for laser diode pumping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenssen, H. P.

1990-01-01

The potential advantages of laser diode pumped solid state lasers are many with high overall efficiency being the most important. In order to realize these advantages, the solid state laser material needs to be optimized for diode laser pumping and for the particular application. In the case of the Nd laser, materials with a longer upper level radiative lifetime are desirable. This is because the laser diode is fundamentally a cw source, and to obtain high energy storage, a long integration time is necessary. Fluoride crystals are investigated as host materials for the Nd laser and also for IR laser transitions in other rare earths, such as the 2 micron Ho laser and the 3 micron Er laser. The approach is to investigate both known crystals, such as BaY2F8, as well as new crystals such as NaYF8. Emphasis is on the growth and spectroscopy of BaY2F8. These two efforts are parallel efforts. The growth effort is aimed at establishing conditions for obtaining large, high quality boules for laser samples. This requires numerous experimental growth runs; however, from these runs, samples suitable for spectroscopy become available.

How to harvest efficient laser from solar light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Changming; Guan, Zhe; Zhang, Haiyang

2018-02-01

Solar Pumped Solid State Lasers (SPSSL) is a kind of solid state lasers that can transform solar light into laser directly, with the advantages of least energy transform procedure, higher energy transform efficiency, simpler structure, higher reliability, and longer lifetime, which is suitable for use in unmanned space system, for solar light is the only form of energy source in space. In order to increase the output power and improve the efficiency of SPSSL, we conducted intensive studies on the suitable laser material selection for solar pump, high efficiency/large aperture focusing optical system, the optimization of concave cavity as the second focusing system, laser material bonding and surface processing. Using bonded and grooved Nd:YAG rod as laser material, large aperture Fresnel lens as the first stage focusing element, concave cavity as the second stage focusing element, we finally got 32.1W/m2 collection efficiency, which is the highest collection efficiency in the world up to now.

Solid-state lasers for coherent communication and remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1990-01-01

Laser development, high efficiency, high power second harmonic generation, operation of optical parametric oscillators for wavelength diversity and tunability, and studies in coherent communications are reviewed.

Laser program annual report, 1977. Volume 1

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

Bender, C.F.; Jarman, B.D.

1978-07-01

An overview is given of the laser fusion program. The solid-state program covers the Shiva and Nova projects. Laser components, control systems, alignment systems, laser beam diagnostics, power conditioning, and optical components are described. The fusion experimental program concerns the diagnostics and data acquisition associated with Argus and Shiva. (MOW)

All-Solid-State UV Transmitter Development for Ozone Sensing Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, Narasimha S.; Singh, Upendra N.; Armstrong, Darrell Jr.

2009-01-01

In this paper, recent progress made in the development of an all-solid-state UV transmitter suitable for ozone sensing applications from space based platforms is discussed. A nonlinear optics based UV setup based on Rotated Image Singly Resonant Twisted Rectangle (RISTRA) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) module was effectively coupled to a diode pumped, single longitudinal mode, conductively cooled, short-pulsed, high-energy Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm with 50 Hz PRF. An estimated 10 mJ/pulse with 10% conversion efficiency at 320 nm has been demonstrated limited only by the pump pulse spatial profile. The current arrangement has the potential for obtaining greater than 200 mJ/pulse. Previously, using a flash-lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser with round, top-hat profile, up to 24% IR-UV conversion efficiency was achieved with the same UV module. Efforts are underway to increase the IR-UV conversion efficiency of the all solid-state setup by modifying the pump laser spatial profile along with incorporating improved OPO crystals.

Miniaturized, multibeam, solid state scanning laser radar in automobile collision avoidance sensor systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sargent, Ronald A.

1995-06-01

Recent intelligent transportation systems (ITS) initiatives sponsored by commercial transportation companies and the U.S. Department of Transportation include an area dedicated to Automated Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS). AVCS systems are dedicated to improving passenger automobile safety, efficiency, and impact on the environment. Minimizing the number of automobile collisions through automated obstacle detection and vehicle response is vital to this effort. Simple, reliable, low cost sensors installed in automobiles to provide driver warning and/or input to vehicle systems such as braking or cruise control are the key piece to making this technology as common as air bags and seat belts. EPA emission regulations now require specific areas to periodically report the mix of vehicle types. These reports must include in the mix the 13 possible categories for vehicles. Simple low cost senors installed as part of the traffic management system will facilitate the determination of vehicle category. Laser Atlanta has recently developed two distinct types of sensors that utilize a unique multi- beam approach to detect `targets' that are potential hazards. They also provide range and range rate data to automobile control and traffic management systems.

Lasers '92; Proceedings of the International Conference on Lasers and Applications, 15th, Houston, TX, Dec. 7-10, 1992

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Charles P. (Editor)

1993-01-01

Papers from the conference are presented, and the topics covered include the following: x-ray lasers, excimer lasers, chemical lasers, high power lasers, blue-green lasers, dye lasers, solid state lasers, semiconductor lasers, gas and discharge lasers, carbon dioxide lasers, ultrafast phenomena, nonlinear optics, quantum optics, dynamic gratings and wave mixing, laser radar, lasers in medicine, optical filters and laser communication, optical techniques and instruments, laser material interaction, and industrial and manufacturing applications.

Extending solid state laser performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miesak, Ed

2017-02-01

Coherent Diode-Pumped Solid-State Orlando (CDO), formerly known as Lee Laser, headquartered in Orlando Florida produces CW and pulsed solid state lasers. Primary wavelengths include 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 355 nm. Other wavelengths produced include 1320 nm, 15xx nm, and 16xx nm. Pulse widths are in the range of singles to hundreds of nanoseconds. Average powers are in the range of a few watts to 1000 watts. Pulse repetition rates are typically in the range of 100 Hz to 100 KHz. Laser performance parameters are often modified according to customer requests. Laser parameters that can be adjusted include average power, pulse repetition rate, pulse length, beam quality, and wavelength. Laser parameters are typically cross-coupled such that adjusting one may change some or all of the others. Customers often request one or more parameters be changed without changing any of the remaining parameters. CDO has learned how to accomplish this successfully with rapid turn-around times and minimal cost impact. The experience gained by accommodating customer requests has produced a textbook of cause and effect combinations of laser components to accomplish almost any parameter change request. Understanding the relationships between component combinations provides valuable insight into lasing effects allowing designers to extend laser performance beyond what is currently available. This has led to several break through products, i.e. >150W average power 355 nm, >60W average power 6 ps 1064 nm, pulse lengths longer than 400 ns at 532 nm with average power >100W, >400W 532 nm with pulse lengths in the 100 ns range.

Synthetic laser medium

DOEpatents

Stokowski, S.E.

1987-10-20

A laser medium is particularly useful in high average power solid state lasers. The laser medium includes a chromium dopant and preferably neodymium ions as codopant, and is primarily a gadolinium scandium gallium garnet, or an analog thereof. Divalent cations inhibit spiral morphology as large boules from which the laser medium is derived are grown, and a source of ions convertible between a trivalent state and a tetravalent state at a low ionization energy are in the laser medium to reduce an absorption coefficient at about one micron wavelength otherwise caused by the divalent cations. These divalent cations and convertible ions are dispersed in the laser medium. Preferred convertible ions are provided from titanium or cerium sources.

Synthetic laser medium

DOEpatents

Stokowski, Stanley E.

1989-01-01

A laser medium is particularly useful in high average power solid state lasers. The laser medium includes a chormium dopant and preferably neodymium ions as codopant, and is primarily a gadolinium scandium gallium garnet, or an analog thereof. Divalent cations inhibit spiral morphology as large boules from which the laser medium is derived are grown, and a source of ions convertible between a trivalent state and a tetravalent state at a low ionization energy are in the laser medium to reduce an absorption coefficient at about one micron wavelength otherwise caused by the divalent cations. These divalent cations and convertible ions are dispersed in the laser medium. Preferred convertible ions are provided from titanium or cerium sources.

Novel solid state lasers for Lidar applications at 2 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Della Valle, G.; Galzerano, G.; Toncelli, A.; Tonelli, M.; Laporta, P.

2005-09-01

A review on the results achieved by our group in the development of novel solid-state lasers for Lidar applications at 2 μm is presented. These lasers, based on fluoride crystals (YLF4, BaY2F8, and KYF4) doped with Tm and Ho ions, are characterized by high-efficiency and wide wavelength tunability around 2 μm. Single crystals of LiYF4, BaY2F8, and KYF4 codoped with the same Tm3+ and Ho3+ concentrations were successfully grown by the Czochralski method. The full spectroscopic characterization of the different laser crystals and the comparison between the laser performance are presented. Continuous wave operation was efficiently demonstrated by means of a CW diode-pumping. These oscillators find interesting applications in the field of remote sensing (Lidar and Dial systems) as well as in high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, frequency metrology, and biomedical applications.

Analysis of lasers as a solution to efficiency droop in solid-state lighting

DOE PAGES

Chow, Weng W.; Crawford, Mary H.

2015-10-06

This letter analyzes the proposal to mitigate the efficiency droop in solid-state light emitters by replacing InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with lasers. The argument in favor of this approach is that carrier-population clamping after the onset of lasing limits carrier loss to that at threshold, while stimulated emission continues to grow with injection current. A fully quantized (carriers and light) theory that is applicable to LEDs and lasers (above and below threshold) is used to obtain a quantitative evaluation. The results confirm the potential advantage of higher laser output power and efficiency above lasing threshold, while also indicating disadvantages includingmore » low efficiency prior to lasing onset, sensitivity of lasing threshold to temperature, and the effects of catastrophic laser failure. As a result, a solution to some of these concerns is suggested that takes advantage of recent developments in nanolasers.« less

Reconfigurable Solid-state Dye-doped Polymer Ring Resonator Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandrahalim, Hengky; Fan, Xudong

2015-12-01

This paper presents wavelength configurable on-chip solid-state ring lasers fabricated by a single-mask standard lithography. The single- and coupled-ring resonator hosts were fabricated on a fused-silica wafer and filled with 3,3‧-Diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide (CY3), Rhodamine 6G (R6G), and 3,3‧-Diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (CY5)-doped polymer as the reconfigurable gain media. The recorded lasing threshold was ~220 nJ/mm2 per pulse for the single-ring resonator laser with R6G, marking the lowest threshold shown by solid-state dye-doped polymer lasers fabricated with a standard lithography process on a chip. A single-mode lasing from a coupled-ring resonator system with the lasing threshold of ~360 nJ/mm2 per pulse was also demonstrated through the Vernier effect. The renewability of the dye-doped polymer was examined by removing and redepositing the dye-doped polymer on the same resonator hosts for multiple cycles. We recorded consistent emissions from the devices for all trials, suggesting the feasibility of employing this technology for numerous photonic and biochemical sensing applications that entail for sustainable, reconfigurable, and low lasing threshold coherent light sources on a chip.

Reconfigurable Solid-state Dye-doped Polymer Ring Resonator Lasers

PubMed Central

Chandrahalim, Hengky; Fan, Xudong

2015-01-01

This paper presents wavelength configurable on-chip solid-state ring lasers fabricated by a single-mask standard lithography. The single- and coupled-ring resonator hosts were fabricated on a fused-silica wafer and filled with 3,3′-Diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide (CY3), Rhodamine 6G (R6G), and 3,3′-Diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (CY5)-doped polymer as the reconfigurable gain media. The recorded lasing threshold was ~220 nJ/mm2 per pulse for the single-ring resonator laser with R6G, marking the lowest threshold shown by solid-state dye-doped polymer lasers fabricated with a standard lithography process on a chip. A single-mode lasing from a coupled-ring resonator system with the lasing threshold of ~360 nJ/mm2 per pulse was also demonstrated through the Vernier effect. The renewability of the dye-doped polymer was examined by removing and redepositing the dye-doped polymer on the same resonator hosts for multiple cycles. We recorded consistent emissions from the devices for all trials, suggesting the feasibility of employing this technology for numerous photonic and biochemical sensing applications that entail for sustainable, reconfigurable, and low lasing threshold coherent light sources on a chip. PMID:26674508

Reconfigurable Solid-state Dye-doped Polymer Ring Resonator Lasers.

PubMed

Chandrahalim, Hengky; Fan, Xudong

2015-12-17

This paper presents wavelength configurable on-chip solid-state ring lasers fabricated by a single-mask standard lithography. The single- and coupled-ring resonator hosts were fabricated on a fused-silica wafer and filled with 3,3'-Diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide (CY3), Rhodamine 6G (R6G), and 3,3'-Diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (CY5)-doped polymer as the reconfigurable gain media. The recorded lasing threshold was ~220 nJ/mm(2) per pulse for the single-ring resonator laser with R6G, marking the lowest threshold shown by solid-state dye-doped polymer lasers fabricated with a standard lithography process on a chip. A single-mode lasing from a coupled-ring resonator system with the lasing threshold of ~360 nJ/mm(2) per pulse was also demonstrated through the Vernier effect. The renewability of the dye-doped polymer was examined by removing and redepositing the dye-doped polymer on the same resonator hosts for multiple cycles. We recorded consistent emissions from the devices for all trials, suggesting the feasibility of employing this technology for numerous photonic and biochemical sensing applications that entail for sustainable, reconfigurable, and low lasing threshold coherent light sources on a chip.

100 years of the physics of diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Peng; Valfells, Ágúst; Ang, L. K.; Luginsland, J. W.; Lau, Y. Y.

2017-03-01

The Child-Langmuir Law (CL), discovered a century ago, gives the maximum current that can be transported across a planar diode in the steady state. As a quintessential example of the impact of space charge shielding near a charged surface, it is central to the studies of high current diodes, such as high power microwave sources, vacuum microelectronics, electron and ion sources, and high current drivers used in high energy density physics experiments. CL remains a touchstone of fundamental sheath physics, including contemporary studies of nanoscale quantum diodes and nano gap based plasmonic devices. Its solid state analog is the Mott-Gurney law, governing the maximum charge injection in solids, such as organic materials and other dielectrics, which is important to energy devices, such as solar cells and light emitting diodes. This paper reviews the important advances in the physics of diodes since the discovery of CL, including virtual cathode formation and extension of CL to multiple dimensions, to the quantum regime, and to ultrafast processes. We review the influence of magnetic fields, multiple species in bipolar flow, electromagnetic and time dependent effects in both short pulse and high frequency THz limits, and single electron regimes. Transitions from various emission mechanisms (thermionic-, field-, and photoemission) to the space charge limited state (CL) will be addressed, especially highlighting the important simulation and experimental developments in selected contemporary areas of study. We stress the fundamental physical links between the physics of beams to limiting currents in other areas, such as low temperature plasmas, laser plasmas, and space propulsion.

IFE Chamber Technology - Status and Future Challenges

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

Meier, W.R.; Raffray, A.R.; Abdel-Khalik, S.I.

2003-07-15

Significant progress has been made on addressing critical issues for inertial fusion energy (IFE) chambers for heavy-ion, laser and Z-pinch drivers. A variety of chamber concepts are being investigated including drywall (currently favored for laser IFE), wetted-wall (applicable to both laser and ion drivers), and thick-liquid-wall (favored by heavy ion and z-pinch drivers). Recent progress and remaining challenges in developing IFE chambers are reviewed.

The slab geometry laser. I - Theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eggleston, J. M.; Kane, T. J.; Kuhn, K.; Byer, R. L.; Unternahrer, J.

1984-01-01

Slab geometry solid-state lasers offer significant performance improvements over conventional rod-geometry lasers. A detailed theoretical description of the thermal, stress, and beam-propagation characteristics of a slab laser is presented. The analysis includes consideration of the effects of the zig-zag optical path, which eliminates thermal and stress focusing and reduces residual birefringence.

Driver development of IFE power plant in Japan Collaborative process with industry and industrial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakai, S.; Yamanaka, M.; Kitagawa, Y.; Fujita, K.; Heya, M.; Mima, K.; Izawa, Y.; Nakatsuka, M.; Murakami, M.; Ueda, K.; Sasaki, T.; Mori, Y.; Kanabe, T.; Hiruma, T.; Kan, H.; Kawashima, T.

2006-06-01

The typical specifications of the laser driver for a commercial IFE power plant are (1) total energy (MJ/pulse) with a tailored 20-40 ns pulse, (2) repetition operation (˜ 10 Hz), (3) efficiency (˜ 10%) with enough robustness and low cost. The key elements of the DPSSL driver technology are under development with HALNA. The HALNA 10 (High Average-power Laser for Nuclear-fusion Application) demonstrated 10 J × 10 Hz operation and the HALNA 100 (100 J × 10 Hz) is now under construction. By using the high average power and high intensity lasers, new industrial applications are being proceeded. The collaborative process for the development of high power laser with industry and for the industrial applications is effective and essential in the development of the laser driver for IFE power plant.

Volkov basis for simulation of interaction of strong laser pulses and solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kidd, Daniel; Covington, Cody; Li, Yonghui; Varga, Kálmán

2018-01-01

An efficient and accurate basis comprised of Volkov states is implemented and tested for time-dependent simulations of interactions between strong laser pulses and crystalline solids. The Volkov states are eigenstates of the free electron Hamiltonian in an electromagnetic field and analytically represent the rapidly oscillating time-dependence of the orbitals, allowing significantly faster time propagation than conventional approaches. The Volkov approach can be readily implemented in plane-wave codes by multiplying the potential energy matrix elements with a simple time-dependent phase factor.

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.

Flame Characterization Using a Tunable Solid-State Laser with Direct UV Pumping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamal, Mohammed M.; Dubinskii, Mark A.; Misra, Prabhakar

1996-01-01

Tunable solid-state lasers with direct UV pumping, based on d-f transitions of rare earth ions incorporated in wide band-gap dielectric crystals, are reliable sources of laser radiation that are suitable for excitation of combustion-related free radicals. We have employed such a laser for analytical flame characterization utilizing Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) techniques. LIF spectra of alkane-air flames (used for studying combustion processes under normal and microgravity conditions) excited in the region of the A-X (0,0) OH-absorption band have been recorded and found to be both temperature-sensitive and positionally-sensitive. In addition, also clearly noticeable was the sensitivity of the spectra to the specific wavelength used for data registration. The LiCAF:Ce laser shows good prospects for being able to cover the spectral region between 280 and 340 nm and therefore be used excitation of combustion-intermediates such as the hydroxyl OH, methoxy CH30 and methylthio CH3S radicals.

Study of transport of laser-driven relativistic electrons in solid materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leblanc, Philippe

With the ultra intense lasers available today, it is possible to generate very hot electron beams in solid density materials. These intense laser-matter interactions result in many applications which include the generation of ultrashort secondary sources of particles and radiation such as ions, neutrons, positrons, x-rays, or even laser-driven hadron therapy. For these applications to become reality, a comprehensive understanding of laser-driven energy transport including hot electron generation through the various mechanisms of ionization, and their subsequent transport in solid density media is required. This study will focus on the characterization of electron transport effects in solid density targets using the state-of- the-art particle-in-cell code PICLS. A number of simulation results will be presented on the topics of ionization propagation in insulator glass targets, non-equilibrium ionization modeling featuring electron impact ionization, and electron beam guiding by the self-generated resistive magnetic field. An empirically derived scaling relation for the resistive magnetic in terms of the laser parameters and material properties is presented and used to derive a guiding condition. This condition may prove useful for the design of future laser-matter interaction experiments.

Development of a solid state laser of Nd:YLF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doamaralneto, R.

The CW laser action was obtained at room temperature of a Nd:YLF crystal in an astigmatically compensated cavity, pumped by an argon laser. This laser was completely projected, constructed and characterized in our laboratories. It initiates a broader project on laser development that will have several applications like nuclear fusion, industry, medicine, telemetry, etc. Throught the study of the optical properties of the Nd:YLF crystal, laser operation was predicted using a small volume gain medium on the mentioned cavity, pumped by an Ar 514,5 nm laser line. To obtain the laser action at polarizations sigma (1,053 (MU)m) and (PI) (1.047 (MU)m) an active medium was prepared which was a crystalline plate with a convenient crystallographic orientation. The laser characterization is in reasonable agreement with the initial predictions. For a 3.5% output mirror transmission, the oscillation threshold is about 0.15 W incident on the crystal, depending upon the sample used. For 1 W of incident pump light, the output power is estimated to be 12 mw, which corresponds to almost 1.5% slope efficiency. The versatile arrangement is applicable to almost all optically pumped solid state laser materials.

Compact Solid-State 213 nm Laser Enables Standoff Deep Ultraviolet Raman Spectrometer: Measurements of Nitrate Photochemistry.

PubMed

Bykov, Sergei V; Mao, Michael; Gares, Katie L; Asher, Sanford A

2015-08-01

We describe a new compact acousto-optically Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) intracavity frequency-tripled neodymium-doped yttrium vanadate laser capable of producing ~100 mW of 213 nm power quasi-continuous wave as 15 ns pulses at a 30 kHz repetition rate. We use this new laser in a prototype of a deep ultraviolet (UV) Raman standoff spectrometer. We use a novel high-throughput, high-resolution Echelle Raman spectrograph. We measure the deep UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectra of solid and solution sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) at a standoff distance of ~2.2 m. For this 2.2 m standoff distance and a 1 min spectral accumulation time, where we only monitor the symmetric stretching band, we find a solid state NaNO3 detection limit of ~100 μg/cm(2). We easily detect ~20 μM nitrate water solutions in 1 cm path length cells. As expected, the aqueous solutions UVRR spectra of NaNO3 and NH4NO3 are similar, showing selective resonance enhancement of the nitrate (NO3(-)) vibrations. The aqueous solution photochemistry is also similar, showing facile conversion of NO3(-) to nitrite (NO2(-)). In contrast, the observed UVRR spectra of NaNO3 and NH4NO3 powders significantly differ, because their solid-state photochemistries differ. Whereas solid NaNO3 photoconverts with a very low quantum yield to NaNO2, the NH4NO3 degrades with an apparent quantum yield of ~0.2 to gaseous species.

A compact 300 kV solid-state high-voltage nanosecond generator for dielectric wall accelerator

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

Shen, Yi; Wang, Wei; Liu, Yi

2015-05-15

Compact solid-state system is the main development trend in pulsed power technologies. A compact solid-state high-voltage nanosecond pulse generator with output voltage of 300 kV amplitude, 10 ns duration (FWHM), and 3 ns rise-time was designed for a dielectric wall accelerator. The generator is stacked by 15 planar-plate Blumlein pulse forming lines (PFL). Each Blumlein PFL consists of two solid-state planar transmission lines, a GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switch, and a laser diode trigger. The key components of the generator and the experimental results are reported in this paper.

Templated assembly of Co-Pt nanoparticles via thermal and laser-induced dewetting of bilayer metal films.

PubMed

Oh, Yong-Jun; Kim, Jung-Hwan; Thompson, Carl V; Ross, Caroline A

2013-01-07

Templated dewetting of a Co/Pt metal bilayer film on a topographic substrate was used to assemble arrays of Co-Pt alloy nanoparticles, with highly uniform particle size, shape and notably composition compared to nanoparticles formed on an untemplated substrate. Solid-state and liquid-state dewetting processes, using furnace annealing and laser irradiation respectively, were compared. Liquid state dewetting produced more uniform, conformal nanoparticles but they had a polycrystalline disordered fcc structure and relatively low magnetic coercivity. In contrast, solid state dewetting enabled formation of magnetically hard, ordered L1(0) Co-Pt single-crystal particles with coercivity >12 kOe. Furnace annealing converted the nanoparticles formed by liquid state dewetting into the L1(0) phase.

Strong-field physics with mid-infrared lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pogorelsky, I. V.

2002-04-01

Mid-infrared gas laser technology promises to become a unique tool for research in strong-field relativistic physics. The degree to which physics is relativistic is determined by a ponderomotive potential. At a given intensity, a 10 μm wavelength CO2 laser reaches a 100 times higher ponderomotive potential than the 1 μm wavelength solid state lasers. Thus, we can expect a proportional increase in the throughput of such processes as laser acceleration, x-ray production, etc. These arguments have been confirmed in proof-of-principle Thomson scattering and laser acceleration experiments conducted at BNL and UCLA where the first terawatt-class CO2 lasers are in operation. Further more, proposals for the 100 TW, 100 fs CO2 lasers based on frequency-chirped pulse amplification have been conceived. Such lasers can produce physical effects equivalent to a hypothetical multi-petawatt solid state laser. Ultra-fast mid-infrared lasers will open new routes to the next generation electron and ion accelerators, ultra-bright monochromatic femtosecond x-ray and gamma sources, allow to attempt the study of Hawking-Unruh radiation, and explore relativistic aspects of laser-matter interactions. We review the present status and experiments with terawatt-class CO2 lasers, sub-petawatt projects, and prospective applications in strong-field science. .

STRONG FIELD PHYSICS WITH MID INFRARED LASERS.

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

POGORELSKY,I.V.

2001-08-27

Mid-infrared gas laser technology promises to become a unique tool for research in strong-field relativistic physics. The degree to which physics is relativistic is determined by a ponderomotive potential. At a given intensity, a 10 {micro}m wavelength CO{sub 2} laser reaches a 100 times higher ponderomotive potential than the 1 {micro}m wavelength solid state lasers. Thus, we can expect a proportional increase in the throughput of such processes as laser acceleration, x-ray production, etc. These arguments have been confirmed in proof-of-principle Thomson scattering and laser acceleration experiments conducted at BNL and UCLA where the first terawatt-class CO{sub 2} lasers aremore » in operation. Further more, proposals for the 100 TW, 100 fs CO{sub 2} lasers based on frequency-chirped pulse amplification have been conceived. Such lasers can produce physical effects equivalent to a hypothetical multi-petawatt solid state laser. Ultra-fast mid-infrared lasers will open new routes to the next generation electron and ion accelerators, ultra-bright monochromatic femtosecond x-ray and gamma sources, allow to attempt the study of Hawking-Unruh radiation, and explore relativistic aspects of laser-matter interactions. We review the present status and experiments with terawatt-class CO{sub 2} lasers, sub-petawatt projects, and prospective applications in strong-field science.« less

Flashlamp radiation recycling for enhanced pumping efficiency and reduced thermal load

DOEpatents

Jancaitis, Kenneth S.; Powell, Howard T.

1989-01-01

A method for recycling laser flashlamp radiation in selected wavelength ranges to decrease thermal loading of the solid state laser matrix while substantially maintaining the pumping efficiency of the flashlamp.

Development of State of the Art Solid State Lasers for Altimetry and other LIDAR Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kay, Richard B.

1997-01-01

This report describes work performed and research accomplished through the end of 1997. During this time period, we have designed and fabricated two lasers for flight LIDAR applications to medium altitudes (Laser Vegetation Imaging System designs LVIS 1 and LVIS 2), designed one earth orbiting LIDAR transmitter (VCL-Alt), and continued work on a high rep-rate LIDAR laser (Raster Scanned Altimeter, RASCAL). Additionally, a 'White Paper' was prepared which evaluates the current state of the art of Nd:YAG lasers and projects efficiencies to the year 2004. This report is attached as Appendix 1 of this report.

Spectral evolution of distributed feedback laser of gold nanoparticles doped solid-state dye laser medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, N. T. M.; Lien, N. T. H.; Hoang, N. D.; Nghia, N. T.; Hoa, D. Q.

2017-10-01

Characteristics of suppressed relaxation oscillation of a distributed feedback dye laser (DFDL) based on the energy transfer process in a mixture of spherical gold nanoparticles-doped solid-state polymethylmetacrylate dissolved 4-(Dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran dye was theoretically and experimentally studied. Single pulse generation regime of the DFDL can be obtained with a suitable gold nanoparticle concentration and ratio of pump power over lasing threshold. Numerical analysis and experimental approach showed that in this regime, the first-pulse laser pulsewidth is rather unchanged while varying the gold nanoparticles concentration in the range of 2.0 × 109-2.0 × 1010 par cm-3. The enhancement of first pulse and the suppression of the secondary pulses by bi-direction energy transfer of spherical gold nanoparticles were experimentally observed.

High power diode pumped solid state (DPSS) laser systems active media robust modeling and analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kashef, Tamer M.; Mokhtar, Ayman M.; Ghoniemy, Samy A.

2018-02-01

Diode side-pumped solid-state lasers have the potential to yield high quality laser beams with high efficiency and reliability. This paper summarizes the results of simulation of the most predominant active media that are used in high power diode pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser systems. Nd:YAG, Nd:glass, and Nd:YLF rods laser systems were simulated using the special finite element analysis software program LASCAD. A performance trade off analysis for Nd:YAG, Nd:glass, and Nd:YLF rods was performed in order to predict the system optimized parameters and to investigate thermally induced thermal fracture that may occur due to heat load and mechanical stress. The simulation results showed that at the optimized values Nd:YAG rod achieved the highest output power of 175W with 43% efficiency and heat load of 1.873W/mm3. A negligible changes in laser output power, heat load, stress, and temperature distributions were observed when the Nd:YAG rod length was increased from 72 to 80mm. Simulation of Nd:glass at different rod diameters at the same pumping conditions showed better results for mechanical stress and thermal load than that of Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF which makes it very suitable for high power laser applications especially for large rod diameters. For large rod diameters Nd:YLF is mechanically weaker and softer crystal compared to Nd:YAG and Nd:glass due to its poor thermomechanical properties which limits its usage to only low to medium power systems.

Optimum design on refrigeration system of high-repetition-frequency laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Gang; Li, Li; Jin, Yezhou; Sun, Xinhua; Mao, Shaojuan; Wang, Yuanbo

2014-12-01

A refrigeration system with fluid cycle, semiconductor cooler and air cooler is designed to solve the problems of thermal lensing effect and unstable output of high-repetition-frequency solid-state lasers. Utilizing a circulating water pump, water recycling system carries the water into laser cavity to absorb the heat then get to water cooling head. The water cooling head compacts cold spot of semiconductor cooling chips, so the heat is carried to hot spot which contacts the radiating fins, then is expelled through cooling fan. Finally, the cooled water return to tank. The above processes circulate to achieve the purposes of highly effective refrigeration in miniative solid-state lasers.The refrigeration and temperature control components are designed strictly to ensure refrigeration effect and practicability. we also set up a experiment to test the performances of this refrigeration system, the results show that the relationship between water temperature and cooling power of semiconductor cooling chip is linear at 20°C-30°C (operating temperature range of Nd:YAG), the higher of the water temperature, the higher of cooling power. According to the results, cooling power of single semiconductor cooling chip is above 60W, and the total cooling power of three semiconductor cooling chips achieves 200W that will satisfy the refrigeration require of the miniative solid-state lasers.The performance parameters of laser pulse are also tested, include pulse waveform, spectrogram and laser spot. All of that indicate that this refrigeration system can ensure the output of high-repetition-frequency pulse whit high power and stability.

New, Efficient Optically Pumped Solid State Lasers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-21

Lasers", during the contract period from 15 August 1984 thru 11 November 1988 (AFOSR-88-0378) has led to some notable advances. This effort h,.s focused...lower laser states of both Er and 1Ho. This work has led to the inves t igation of the Nd,Er ion-ion interactions in other crystals such as Nd,Er:YALO...backed pyrex reflector. While the laser may work in a gold-plated cavity, the many visible, blue and near uv pump bands suggest better efficiency is

Theoretical and experimental analysis of the electromechanical behavior of a compact spherical loudspeaker array for directivity control.

PubMed

Pasqual, Alexander Mattioli; Herzog, Philippe; Arruda, José Roberto de França

2010-12-01

Sound directivity control is made possible by a compact array of independent loudspeakers operating at the same frequency range. The drivers are usually distributed over a sphere-like frame according to a Platonic solid geometry to obtain a highly symmetrical configuration. The radiation pattern of spherical loudspeaker arrays has been predicted from the surface velocity pattern by approximating the drivers membranes as rigid vibrating spherical caps, although a rigorous assessment of this model has not been provided so far. Many aspects concerning compact array electromechanics remain unclear, such as the effects on the acoustical performance of the drivers interaction inside the array cavity, or the fact that voltages rather than velocities are controlled in practice. This work presents a detailed investigation of the electromechanical behavior of spherical loudspeaker arrays. Simulation results are shown to agree with laser vibrometer measurements and experimental sound power data obtained for a 12-driver spherical array prototype at low frequencies, whereas the non-rigid body motion and the first cavity eigenfrequency yield a discrepancy between theoretical and experimental results at high frequencies. Finally, although the internal acoustic coupling affects the drivers vibration in the low-frequency range, it does not play an important role on the radiated sound power.

Is There Segregation of Rare Earth Ions in Garnet Optical Ceramics?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boulon, Georges; Epicier, T.; Zhao, W.; Guzik, M.; Pan, Y.; Jiang, B.

Research on advanced optical materials for a large variety of applications is always increasing. As an example, we can note high progress in solid-state laser sources like laser-diode (LD) - pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL) including developments of new materials and high-power laser diode led to high-power and tuneable solid-state lasers. A wide variety of materials has been studied to develop more efficient and high power microchip lasers [1]. In end-pumping schemes, in particular, materials with a short absorption length for the LD pump beam are strongly anticipated for highly efficient operations because of the excellent match between the mode and pump beam profiles. High Nd3+ concentrations were so considered such as NdP5O14, LiNdP4O12 (LNP), and NdAl3(BO3)O4. However, crystal growths of these compositions are not so easy. Cubic crystals are much more researched. When looking at the literature for actual applications, we see immediately the importance of cubic garnet crystals for which dodecahedral (Y3+), octahedral (Al3+) and tetrahedral (Al3+) sites are considered as a reservoir for many activators like: Ce3+, Nd3+, Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+, Yb3+ rare earth ions in dodecahedral symmetry sites and transition metal ions like Cr3+ in the octahedral symmetry sites or Cr4+ in the tetrahedral symmetry sites. Among garnet crystals, Y3Al5O12 (YAG) host is the most used, commercially produced by the Czochralski method. However, in the case of the most used Nd3+: YAG laser crystal, the Nd3+ concentration that affects the performance in laser applications, is strongly limited to 0.2-1.4 Nd3+ at. % as a result of the segregation distribution coefficient [1].

Characterizing Optical Loss in Orientation Patterned III-V Materials using Laser Calorimetry

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-27

nm and solid state fiber lasers . A comparison of the important properties of commonly used frequency conversion materials are shown in Table 1 [9......templates at AFRL. 32 Laser Calorimetry Experiment A THOR Labs ITC 4001 Laser diode with a 1625 nm, 50 mW fiber pigtail was used as the source

A tunable mid-infrared laser source for remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, Norman P.

1991-01-01

Many remote sensing needs can be effectively addressed with a tunable laser source in the mid infrared. One potential laser source is an optical parametric oscillator and amplifier system pumped by a near infrared solid state laser. Advantages of such a system and progress made at NASA Langley Research Center to date on such a system are described.

A review of the development of portable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakovský, J.; Čermák, P.; Musset, O.; Veis, P.

2014-11-01

In this review, we present person-transportable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) devices that have previously been developed and reported in the literature as well as their applications. They are compared with X-ray fluorescent (XRF) devices, which represent their strongest competition. Although LIBS devices have advantages over XRF devices, such as sensitivity to the light elements, high spatial resolution and the possibility to distinguish between different layers of the sample, there are also disadvantages and both are discussed here. Furthermore, the essential portable LIBS instrumentation (laser, spectrograph and detector) is presented, and published results related to new laser sources (diode-pumped solid-state, microchip and fiber lasers) used in LIBS are overviewed. Compared to conventional compact flashlamp pumped solid-state lasers, the new laser sources provide higher repetition rates, higher efficiency (less power consumption) and higher beam quality, resulting in higher fluences, even for lower energies, and could potentially increase the figure of merit of portable LIBS instruments. Compact spectrometers used in portable LIBS devices and their parts (spectrograph, detector) are also discussed.

QCL seeded, ns-pulse, multi-line, CO2 laser oscillator for laser-produced-plasma extreme-UV source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowak, Krzysztof Michał; Suganuma, Takashi; Kurosawa, Yoshiaki; Ohta, Takeshi; Kawasuji, Yasufumi; Nakarai, Hiroaki; Saitou, Takashi; Fujimoto, Junichi; Mizoguchi, Hakaru; Sumitani, Akira; Endo, Akira

2017-01-01

Successful merger of state-of-the-art, semiconductor quantum-cascade lasers (QCL), with the mature CO2 laser technology, resulted in a delivery of highly-desired qualities of CO2 laser output that were not available previously without much effort. These qualities, such as multi-line operation, excellent spectro-temporal stability and pulse waveform control, became available from a single device of moderate complexity. This paper describes the operation principle and the unique properties of the solid{state seeded CO2 laser, invented for an application in laser-produced-plasma (LPP), extreme-UV (EUV) light source.

Algorithm to illustrate context using dynamic lighting effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Roshy M.; Balasubramanian, T.

2007-09-01

With the invention of Ultra-Bright LED, solid state lighting has come to something which is much more efficient and energy saving when compared to conventional incandescent or fluorescent lighting. With the use of proper driver electronics now a days it is possible to install solid state lighting systems with the cost same as that of any other lighting technology. This paper is a part of the research project we are doing in our lab, which deals with using ultra bright LEDs of different colors for lighting applications. The driver electronics are made in such a way that, the color and brightness of the lights will change according to context. For instance, if one of the users is reading a story or listening to music in a Personal Computer or in a hand held device such as a PDA, the lighting systems and the HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air-conditioning) systems will change dramatically according to the content of the story or the music. The vulnerability of solid-state lighting helps to accomplish such an effect. Such a type of system will help the reader to feel the story mentally and physically as well. We developed complete driver electronics for the system using multiple microcomputers and a full software suite which uses complex algorithms to decode the context from text or music and synchronize it to lighting and HVAC information. The paper also presents some case-study statistics which shows the advantage of using the system to teach kindergarten children, deaf and dumb children and for language learning classes.

Second-harmonic generation of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by laser ablation of solids in liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocha-Mendoza, Israel; Camacho-López, Santiago; Luna-Palacios, Yryx Y.; Esqueda-Barrón, Yasmín; Camacho-López, Miguel A.; Camacho-López, Marco; Aguilar, Guillermo

2018-02-01

We report the synthesis of small zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) based colloidal suspensions and the study of second-harmonic generation from aggregated ZnO NPs deposited on glass substrates. The colloidal suspensions were obtained using the laser ablation of solids in liquids technique, ablating a Zn solid target immersed in acetone as the liquid medium, with ns-laser pulses (1064 nm) of a Nd-YAG laser. The per pulse laser fluence, the laser repetition rate frequency and the ablation time were kept constant. The absorption evolution of the obtained suspensions was optically characterized through absorption spectroscopy until stabilization. Raman spectroscopy, SEM and HRTEM were used to provide evidence of the ZnO NPs structure. HRTEM results showed that 5-8 nm spheroids ZnO NPs were obtained. Strong second-harmonic signal is obtained from random ZnO monocrystalline NPs and from aggregated ZnO NPs, suggesting that the high efficiency of the nonlinear process may not depend on the NPs size or aggregation state.

Two-dimensional periodic structures in solid state laser resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okulov, Alexey Y.

1991-07-01

Transverse effects in nonlinear optical devices are being widely investigated. Recently, synchronization of a laser set by means of the Talbot effect has been demonstrated experimentally. This paper considers a Talbot cavity formed by a solid-state amplifying laser separated from the output mirror by a free space interval. This approach involves the approximation of the nonlinear medium as a thin layer, within which the diffraction is negligible. The other part of a resonator is empty, and the wave field is transformed by the Fresnel-Kirchoff integral. As a result, the dynamics of the transverse (and temporal) structure is computed by a successively iterated nonlinear local map (one- or two-dimensional) and a linear nonlocal map (generally speaking, infinitely dimensional).

Thermal effect of diode-pumped solid state lasers based on composite crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, Ming-ming; Lu, Guo-guang; Zhu, Hong-bo; Huang, Yun; En, Yun-fei

2013-12-01

Thermal effect of diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSL) based on YAP/Tm:YAP composite crystal is studied by using of finite element method (FEM). It is found that the peak temperature in a composite rod decreases to less than 80% of that in a non-composite crystal. Thermal stress of composite rod is obviously reduced to less than 70% comparing with non-composite crystal. It is also demonstrated that length of thermal lens unchanged with increasing of un-doped crystal length, which means that beam quality of composite laser wouldn't be improved by non-composite crystal. Therefore, it is concluded that using composite crystal would benefit for the properties of temperature and heat stress while insignificance for beam quality of DPSSL.

Optimised design for a 1 kJ diode-pumped solid-state laser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, Paul D.; Ertel, Klaus; Banerjee, Saumyabrata; Phillips, P. Jonathan; Hernandez-Gomez, Cristina; Collier, John L.

2011-06-01

A conceptual design for a kJ-class diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) system based on cryogenic gas-cooled multislab ceramic Yb:YAG amplifier technology has been developed at the STFC as a building block towards a MJ-class source for inertial fusion energy (IFE) projects such as HiPER. In this paper, we present an overview of an amplifier design optimised for efficient generation of 1 kJ nanosecond pulses at 10 Hz repetition rate. In order to confirm the viability of this technology, a prototype version of this amplifier scaled to deliver 10 J at 10 Hz, DiPOLE, is under development at the Central Laser Facility. A progress update on the status of this system is also presented.

229Thorium-doped calcium fluoride for nuclear laser spectroscopy.

PubMed

Dessovic, P; Mohn, P; Jackson, R A; Winkler, G; Schreitl, M; Kazakov, G; Schumm, T

2014-03-12

The (229)thorium isotope presents an extremely low-energy isomer state of the nucleus which is expected around 7.8 eV, in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regime. This unique system may bridge between atomic and nuclear physics, enabling coherent manipulation and precision spectroscopy of nuclear quantum states using laser light. It has been proposed to implant (229)thorium into VUV transparent crystal matrices to facilitate laser spectroscopy and possibly realize a solid-state nuclear clock. In this work, we validate the feasibility of this approach by computer modelling of thorium doping into calcium fluoride single crystals. Using atomistic modelling and full electronic structure calculations, we find a persistent large band gap and no additional electronic levels emerging in the middle of the gap due to the presence of the dopant, which should allow direct optical interrogation of the nuclear transition.Based on the electronic structure, we estimate the thorium nuclear quantum levels within the solid-state environment. Precision laser spectroscopy of these levels will allow the study of a broad range of crystal field effects, transferring Mössbauer spectroscopy into the optical regime.

Low-threshold, CW, all-solid-state Ti:Al2O3 laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, James; Finch, Andrew; Rines, David M.; Rines, Glen A.; Moulton, Peter F.

1991-01-01

A CW Ti:Al2O3 ring laser with a threshold power of 119 mW is demonstrated. It provides a tunable source of single-frequency, diffraction-limited radiation that is suitable for injection seeding. The Ti:Al2O3 laser is operated with a diode-laser-pumped, frequency-doubled, Nd:YAG laser as the sole pump source.

Semiconductor laser technology for remote sensing experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katz, Joseph

1988-01-01

Semiconductor injection lasers are required for implementing virtually all spaceborne remote sensing systems. Their main advantages are high reliability and efficiency, and their main roles are envisioned in pumping and injection locking of solid state lasers. In some shorter range applications they may even be utilized directly as the sources.

Tetravalent Chromium (Cr(4+)) as Laser-Active Ion for Tunable Solid-State Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seas, A.; Petricevic, V.; Alfano, Robert R.

1992-01-01

During 10/31/91 - 3/31/92, the following summarizes are major accomplishments: (1) numerical modeling of the four mirror astigmatically compensated, Z-fold cavity was performed; and (2) the simulation revealed several design parameters to be used for the construction of a femtosecond forsterite laser.

Cladding For Transversely-Pumped Laser Rod

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.; Fan, Tso Yee

1989-01-01

Combination of suitable dimensioning and cladding of neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet of similar solid-state laser provides for more efficient utilization of transversely-incident pump light from diode lasers. New design overcomes some of limitations of longitudinal- and older transverse-pumping concepts and promotes operation at higher output powers in TEM00 mode.

Performance and Mix Measurements of Indirect Drive Cu-Doped Be Implosions

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

Casey, D.  T.; Woods, D. T.; Smalyuk, V. A.

2015-05-19

The ablator couples energy between the driver and fusion fuel in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Because of its low opacity, high solid density, and material properties, beryllium has long been considered an ideal ablator for ICF ignition experiments at the National Ignition Facility. We report here the first indirect drive Be implosions driven with shaped laser pulses and diagnosed with fusion yield at the OMEGA laser. The results show good performance with an average DD neutron yield of ~2 × 10⁹ at a convergence ratio of R₀/R ~ 10 and little impact due to the growth of hydrodynamic instabilities andmore » mix. In addition, the effect of adding an inner liner of W between the Be and DD is demonstrated.« less

First demonstration of an all-solid-state optical cryocooler

DOE PAGES

Hehlen, Markus P.; Meng, Junwei; Albrecht, Alexander R.; ...

2018-06-06

Solid-state optical refrigeration uses anti-Stokes fluorescence to cool macroscopic objects to cryogenic temperatures without vibrations. Crystals such as Yb 3+-doped YLiF 4 (YLF:Yb) have previously been laser-cooled to 91 K. In this study, we show for the first time laser cooling of a payload connected to a cooling crystal. A YLF:Yb crystal was placed inside a Herriott cell and pumped with a 1020-nm laser (47 W) to cool a HgCdTe sensor that is part of a working Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to 135 K. This first demonstration of an all-solid-state optical cryocooler was enabled by careful control of themore » various desired and undesired heat flows. Fluorescence heating of the payload was minimized by using a single-kink YLF thermal link between the YLF:Yb cooling crystal and the copper coldfinger that held the HgCdTe sensor. The adhesive-free bond between YLF and YLF:Yb showed excellent thermal reliability. This laser-cooled assembly was then supported by silica aerogel cylinders inside a vacuum clamshell to minimize undesired conductive and radiative heat loads from the warm surroundings. Our structure can serve as a baseline for future optical cryocooler devices.« less

First demonstration of an all-solid-state optical cryocooler

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

Hehlen, Markus P.; Meng, Junwei; Albrecht, Alexander R.

Solid-state optical refrigeration uses anti-Stokes fluorescence to cool macroscopic objects to cryogenic temperatures without vibrations. Crystals such as Yb 3+-doped YLiF 4 (YLF:Yb) have previously been laser-cooled to 91 K. In this study, we show for the first time laser cooling of a payload connected to a cooling crystal. A YLF:Yb crystal was placed inside a Herriott cell and pumped with a 1020-nm laser (47 W) to cool a HgCdTe sensor that is part of a working Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to 135 K. This first demonstration of an all-solid-state optical cryocooler was enabled by careful control of themore » various desired and undesired heat flows. Fluorescence heating of the payload was minimized by using a single-kink YLF thermal link between the YLF:Yb cooling crystal and the copper coldfinger that held the HgCdTe sensor. The adhesive-free bond between YLF and YLF:Yb showed excellent thermal reliability. This laser-cooled assembly was then supported by silica aerogel cylinders inside a vacuum clamshell to minimize undesired conductive and radiative heat loads from the warm surroundings. Our structure can serve as a baseline for future optical cryocooler devices.« less

DFB laser array driver circuit controlled by adjustable signal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Weikang; Du, Yinchao; Guo, Yu; Li, Wei; Wang, Hao

2018-01-01

In order to achieve the intelligent controlling of DFB laser array, this paper presents the design of an intelligence and high precision numerical controlling electric circuit. The system takes MCU and FPGA as the main control chip, with compact, high-efficiency, no impact, switching protection characteristics. The output of the DFB laser array can be determined by an external adjustable signal. The system transforms the analog control model into a digital control model, which improves the performance of the driver. The system can monitor the temperature and current of DFB laser array in real time. The output precision of the current can reach ± 0.1mA, which ensures the stable and reliable operation of the DFB laser array. Such a driver can benefit the flexible usage of the DFB laser array.

Solid-state semiconductor optical cryocooler based on CdS nanobelts.

PubMed

Li, Dehui; Zhang, Jun; Wang, Xinjiang; Huang, Baoling; Xiong, Qihua

2014-08-13

We demonstrate the laser cooling of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using CdS nanobelts. The local temperature change of the SOI substrate exactly beneath the CdS nanobelts is deduced from the ratio of the Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman intensities from the Si layer on the top of the SOI substrate. We have achieved a 30 and 20 K net cooling starting from 290 K under a 3.8 mW 514 nm and a 4.4 mW 532 nm pumping, respectively. In contrast, a laser heating effect has been observed pumped by 502 and 488 nm lasers. Theoretical analysis based on the general static heat conduction module in the Ansys program package is conducted, which agrees well with the experimental results. Our investigations demonstrate the laser cooling capability of an external thermal load, suggesting the applications of II-VI semiconductors in all-solid-state optical cryocoolers.

Computational model for operation of 2 mum co-doped Tm,Ho solid state lasers.

PubMed

Louchev, Oleg A; Urata, Yoshiharu; Saito, Norihito; Wada, Satoshi

2007-09-17

A computational model for operation of co-doped Tm,Ho solid-state lasers is developed coupling (i) 8-level rate equations with (ii) TEM00 laser beam distribution, and (iii) complex heat dissipation model. Simulations done for Q-switched approximately 0.1 J giant pulse generation by Tm,Ho:YLF laser show that approximately 43% of the 785 nm light diode side-pumped energy is directly transformed into the heat inside the crystal, whereas approximately 45% is the spontaneously emitted radiation from (3)F(4), (5)I(7) , (3)H(4) and (3)H(5) levels. In water-cooled operation this radiation is absorbed inside the thermal boundary layer where the heat transfer is dominated by heat conduction. In high-power operation the resulting temperature increase is shown to lead to (i) significant decrease in giant pulse energy and (ii) thermal lensing.

Sub-100 attosecond timing jitter from low-noise passively mode-locked solid-state laser at telecom wavelength.

PubMed

Portuondo-Campa, E; Paschotta, R; Lecomte, S

2013-08-01

We report on the ultralow timing jitter of the 100 MHz pulse trains generated by two identical passively mode-locked diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSLs) emitting at 1556 nm. Ultralow timing jitter of 83 as (integrated from 10 kHz to 50 MHz) for one laser has been measured with a balanced optical cross-correlator as timing discriminator. Extremely low intensity noise has been measured as well. Several measurement techniques have been used and show similar jitter results. Different possible noise sources have been theoretically investigated and compared to the measured jitter power spectral density. It is found that although the measured integrated jitter is quite low, it is still significantly above the quantum limit in the considered frequency span. Therefore, there is a substantial potential for technical improvements that could make passively mode-locked DPSSL outperform fiber lasers as source of microwaves with low phase noise.

A ultra-small-angle self-mixing sensor system with high detection resolution and wide measurement range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Bo; Wang, Dehui; Zhou, Lin; Wu, Shuang; Xiang, Rong; Zhang, Wenhua; Gui, Huaqiao; Liu, Jianguo; Wang, Huanqing; Lu, Liang; Yu, Benli

2017-06-01

The self-mixing technique based on the traditional reflecting mirror has been demonstrated with great merit for angle sensing applications. Here we demonstrate a modified self-reflection-mixing angle measurement system by combine a right-angle prism to self-mixing angle measurement. In our system, the wavelength is crucial to the angle measurement resolution. For a microchip solid-state laser, the measurement resolution can reach 0.49 mrad, while the resolution for the He-Ne laser is 0.53 mrad. In addition, the ranges in the system with the microchip solid-state laser and He-Ne laser are up to 22 mrad and 24.9 mrad respectively. This modified angle measurement system effectively combines the advantage of self-mixing measurement system with a compact structure, providing interesting features such as of high requisition of resolution and precision.

Flashlamp-pumped Ho:Tm:Cr:LuAG laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jani, Mahendra G. (Inventor); Barnes, Norman P. (Inventor); Murray, Keith E. (Inventor); Kokta, Milan R. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A room temperature solid-state laser is provided. A laser crystal is disposed in a laser cavity. The laser crystal has a LuAG host material doped with a concentration of about 0.35% Ho ions, about 5.57% Tm ions and at least about 1.01% Cr ions. A broadband energizing source such as a flashlamp is disposed transversely to the laser crystal to energize the Ho ions, Tm ions and Cr ions.

High density, optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, v-groove monolithic laser diode array

DOEpatents

Freitas, Barry L.

1998-01-01

An optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser diode array achieves stacking pitches to 33 bars/cm by mounting laser diodes into V-shaped grooves. This design will deliver>4kW/cm2 of directional pulsed laser power. This optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser is usable in all solid state laser systems which require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources.

Laser Spectroscopy Characterization of Materials for Frequency Agile Solid State Laser Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-15

Lasing Properties of Nd3+:Ba2 ZnGe 2O 7 III. SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF CHROMIUM -DOPED LASER CRYSTALS III.1 Laser-Induced Grating Spectroscopy of...rare earth- and chromium -doped Iasor crystals, rare earth-doped glasses, and potassium niobate. Ilas or- spectroscopy techniques were used to...being investigated: rare ea’-Lh-doped laser crystals; chromium -doped laser crystals; and photorefractive crystals and glasses. The important results

High Energy, Single-Mode, All-Solid-State and Tunable UV Laser Transmitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, Narasimha S.; Singh, Upendra N.; Hovis, FLoyd

2007-01-01

A high energy, single mode, all solid-state Nd:YAG laser primarily for pumping an UV converter is developed. Greater than 1 J/pulse at 50 HZ PRF and pulse widths around 22 ns have been demonstrated. Higher energy, greater efficiency may be possible. Refinements are known and practical to implement. Technology Demonstration of a highly efficient, high-pulse-energy, single mode UV wavelength generation using flash lamp pumped laser has been achieved. Greater than 90% pump depletion is observed. 190 mJ extra-cavity SFG; IR to UV efficiency > 21% (> 27% for 1 mJ seed). 160 mJ intra-cavity SFG; IR to UV efficiency up to 24% Fluence < 1 J/sq cm for most beams. The pump beam quality of the Nd:YAG pump laser is being refined to match or exceed the above UV converter results. Currently the Nd:YAG pump laser development is a technology demonstration. System can be engineered for compact packaging.

High-energy krypton fluoride lasers for inertial fusion.

PubMed

Obenschain, Stephen; Lehmberg, Robert; Kehne, David; Hegeler, Frank; Wolford, Matthew; Sethian, John; Weaver, James; Karasik, Max

2015-11-01

Laser fusion researchers have realized since the 1970s that the deep UV light from excimer lasers would be an advantage as a driver for robust high-performance capsule implosions for inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Most of this research has centered on the krypton-fluoride (KrF) laser. In this article we review the advantages of the KrF laser for direct-drive ICF, the history of high-energy KrF laser development, and the present state of the art and describe a development path to the performance needed for laser fusion and its energy application. We include descriptions of the architecture and performance of the multi-kilojoule Nike KrF laser-target facility and the 700 J Electra high-repetition-rate KrF laser that were developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Nike and Electra are the most advanced KrF lasers for inertial fusion research and energy applications.

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.

Pedestal cleaning for high laser pulse contrast ratio with a 100 TW class laser system.

PubMed

Fourmaux, S; Payeur, S; Buffechoux, S; Lassonde, P; St-Pierre, C; Martin, F; Kieffer, J C

2011-04-25

Laser matter interaction at relativistic intensities using 100 TW class laser systems or higher is becoming more and more widespread. One of the critical issues of such laser systems is to let the laser pulse interact at high intensity with the solid target and avoid any pre-plasma. Thus, a high Laser Pulse Contrast Ratio (LPCR) parameter is of prime importance. We present the LPCR characterization of a high repetition 100 TW class laser system. We demonstrate that the generated Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) degrades the overall LPCR performance. We propose a simple way to clean the pulse after the first amplification stage by introducing a solid state saturable absorber which results in a LPCR improvement to better than 10(10) with only a 30% energy loss at a 10 Hz repetition rate. We finally correlated this cleaning method with experimental results.

Ruggedized microchannel-cooled laser diode array with self-aligned microlens

DOEpatents

Freitas, Barry L.; Skidmore, Jay A.

2003-11-11

A microchannel-cooled, optically corrected, laser diode array is fabricated by mounting laser diode bars onto Si surfaces. This approach allows for the highest thermal impedance, in a ruggedized, low-cost assembly that includes passive microlens attachment without the need for lens frames. The microlensed laser diode array is usable in all solid-state laser systems that require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources.

Er:Yb phosphate glass laser with nonlinear absorber for phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhirnov, A. A.; Pnev, A. B.; Svelto, C.; Norgia, M.; Pesatori, A.; Galzerano, G.; Laporta, P.; Shelestov, D. A.; Karasik, V. E.

2017-11-01

A novel laser for phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) is presented. The advantages of a compact solid-state laser are listed, current problems are shown. Experiments with a microchip single-optical-element laser, from setup construction to usage in Φ-OTDR system, are presented. New laser scheme with two-photon intracavity absorber is suggested and its advantages are described.

Diode-pumped DUV cw all-solid-state laser to replace argon ion lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zanger, Ekhard; Liu, B.; Gries, Wolfgang

2000-04-01

The slim series DELTATRAINTM-worldwide the first integrated cw diode-pumped all-solid-state DUV laser at 266 nm with a compact, slim design-has been developed. The slim design minimizes the DUV DPSSL footprint and thus greatly facilitates the replacement of commonly used gas ion lasers, including these with intra-cavity frequency doubling, in numerous industrial and scientific applications. Such a replacement will result in an operation cost reduction by several thousands US$DLR each year for one unit. Owing to its unique geometry-invariant frequency doubling cavity- based on the LAS patent-pending DeltaConcept architecture- this DUV laser provides excellent beam-pointing stability of <2 (mu) rad/ degree(s)C and power stability of <2%. The newest design of the cavity block has adopted a cemented resonator with each component positioned precisely inside a compact monolithic metal block. The automatic and precise crystal shifter ensures long operation lifetime of > 5000 hours of whole 266 nm laser. The microprocessor controlled power supply provides an automatic control of the whole 266 nm laser, making this DUV laser a hands-off system which can meet tough requirements posed by numerous industrial and scientific applications. It will replace the commonplace ion laser as the future DUV laser of choice.

Mitigation of cross-beam energy transfer: Implication of two-state focal zooming on OMEGA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Froula, D. H.; Kessler, T. J.; Igumenshchev, I. V.; Betti, R.; Goncharov, V. N.; Huang, H.; Hu, S. X.; Hill, E.; Kelly, J. H.; Meyerhofer, D. D.; Shvydky, A.; Zuegel, J. D.

2013-08-01

Cross-beam energy transfer (CBET) during OMEGA low-adiabat cryogenic experiments reduces the hydrodynamic efficiency by ˜35%, which lowers the calculated one-dimensional (1-D) yield by a factor of 7. CBET can be mitigated by reducing the diameter of the laser beams relative to the target diameter. Reducing the diameter of the laser beams by 30%, after a sufficient conduction zone has been generated (two-state zooming), is predicted to maintain low-mode uniformity while recovering 90% of the kinetic energy lost to CBET. A radially varying phase plate is proposed to implement two-state zooming on OMEGA. A beam propagating through the central half-diameter of the phase plate will produce a large spot, while a beam propagating through the outer annular region of the phase plate will produce a narrower spot. To generate the required two-state near-field laser-beam profile, a picket driver with smoothing by spectral dispersion (SSD) would pass through an apodizer, forming a beam of half the standard diameter. A second main-pulse driver would co-propagate without SSD through its own apodizer, forming a full-diameter annular beam. Hydrodynamic simulations, using the designed laser spots produced by the proposed zooming scheme on OMEGA, show that implementing zooming will increase the implosion velocity by 25% resulting in a 4.5× increase in the 1-D neutron yield. Demonstrating zooming on OMEGA would validate a viable direct-drive CBET mitigation scheme and help establish a pathway to hydrodynamically equivalent direct-drive-ignition implosions by increasing the ablation pressure (1.6×), which will allow for more stable implosions at ignition-relevant velocities.

Flight demonstration of flight termination system and solid rocket motor ignition using semiconductor laser initiated ordnance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulze, Norman R.; Maxfield, B.; Boucher, C.

1995-01-01

Solid State Laser Initiated Ordnance (LIO) offers new technology having potential for enhanced safety, reduced costs, and improved operational efficiency. Concerns over the absence of programmatic applications of the technology, which has prevented acceptance by flight programs, should be abated since LIO has now been operationally implemented by the Laser Initiated Ordnance Sounding Rocket Demonstration (LOSRD) Program. The first launch of solid state laser diode LIO at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) occurred on March 15, 1995 with all mission objectives accomplished. This project, Phase 3 of a series of three NASA Headquarters LIO demonstration initiatives, accomplished its objective by the flight of a dedicated, all-LIO sounding rocket mission using a two-stage Nike-Orion launch vehicle. LIO flight hardware, made by The Ensign-Bickford Company under NASA's first Cooperative Agreement with Profit Making Organizations, safely initiated three demanding pyrotechnic sequence events, namely, solid rocket motor ignition from the ground and in flight, and flight termination, i.e., as a Flight Termination System (FTS). A flight LIO system was designed, built, tested, and flown to support the objectives of quickly and inexpensively putting LIO through ground and flight operational paces. The hardware was fully qualified for this mission, including component testing as well as a full-scale system test. The launch accomplished all mission objectives in less than 11 months from proposal receipt. This paper concentrates on accomplishments of the ordnance aspects of the program and on the program's implementation and results. While this program does not generically qualify LIO for all applications, it demonstrated the safety, technical, and operational feasibility of those two most demanding applications, using an all solid state safe and arm system in critical flight applications.

Satellite Power System (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 2: Systems/subsystems analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1981-01-01

Modifications to the reference concept were studied and the best approaches defined. The impact of the high efficiency multibandgap solar array on the reference concept design is considered. System trade studies for several solid state concepts, including the sandwich concept and a separate antenna/solar concept, are described. Two solid state concepts were selected and a design definition is presented for each. Magnetrons as an alternative to the reference klystrons for dc/RF conversion are evaluated. System definitions are presented for the preferred klystron and solid state concepts. Supporting systems are analyzed, with major analysis in the microwave, structures, and power distribution areas. Results of studies for thermal control, attitude control, stationkeeping, and details of a multibandgap solar cell study are included. Advanced laser concepts and the meteorological effects of a laser beam power transmission concept are considered.

Isochoric Heating of Solid-Density Matter with an Ultrafast Proton Beam

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

Key, M H; Mackinnon, A J; Patel, P K

A new technique is described for the isochoric heating (i.e., heating at constant volume) of matter to high energy-density plasma states (>10{sup 5} J/g) on a picosecond timescale (10{sup -12} sec). An intense, collimated, ultrashort-pulse beam of protons--generated by a high-intensity laser pulse--is used to isochorically heat a solid density material to a temperature of several eV. The duration of heating is shorter than the timescale for significant hydrodynamic expansion to occur, hence the material is heated to a solid density warm dense plasma state. Using spherically-shaped laser targets a focused proton beam is produced and used to heat amore » smaller volume to over 20 eV. The technique described of ultrafast proton heating provides a unique method for creating isochorically heated high-energy density plasma states.« less

Growth and characterization of tunable solid state lasers in the near infrared spectral region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Powell, Richard C.; Martin, Joel J.

1990-01-01

This research resulted in the publication of two major papers. The major results include the development of improved crystal growth techniques for rare earth-doped LiYF4 crystals and the determination of laser-pumped laser characteristics of Tm:Ho:Y3Al5O12 crystals.

Single Frequency Monolithic Solid State Green Laser as a Potential Source for Vibrometry Systems

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

Sotor, Jaroslaw Z.; Antonczak, Arkadiusz J.; Abramski, Krzysztof M.

2010-05-28

In this paper miniature, monolithic single frequency solid state laser operating at 532 nm is presented. Developed Nd:GdVO{sub 4}/YVO{sub 4}/KTP consist of three crystal bonded together with a UV adhesive. The single frequency operation was obtained in wide temperature range from 17 deg. C to 27 deg. C. The laser operated with output power up to 90 mW at 532 nm. The total optical efficiency (808 nm to 532 nm) was 9.5%. Power stability was at the level of +-0.8% and the long term frequency stability was approximately 3centre dot10{sup -8}. The beam has a Gaussian profile and the M2more » parameter was below 1.1.« less

Palm-top-size, 1.5 kW peak-power, and femtosecond (160 fs) diode-pumped mode-locked Yb+3:KY(WO4)2 solid-state laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror.

PubMed

Yamazoe, Shogo; Katou, Masaki; Adachi, Takashi; Kasamatsu, Tadashi

2010-03-01

We report a palm-top-size femtosecond diode-pumped mode-locked Yb(+3):KY(WO(4))(2) solid-state laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror utilizing soliton mode locking for shortening the cavity to 50 mm. An average output power of 680 mW and a pulse width of 162 fs were obtained at 1045 nm with a repetition rate of 2.8 GHz, which led to a peak power of 1.5 kW. Average power fluctuations of a modularized laser source were found to be +/-10% for the free-running 3000 h operation and +/-1% for the power-controlled 2000 h operation.

Solid-state laser source of narrowband ultraviolet B light for skin disease care

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarasov, Aleksandr A.; Chu, Hong

2013-03-01

We report about the development of all-solid-state laser source of narrowband UV-B light for medical applications. The device is based on a gain-switched Ti: Sapphire laser with volume Bragg grating, pumped at 532 nm and operating at 931.8 nm, followed by a third harmonic generator and a fiber optic beam homogenizer. The maximum available pulse energy exceeded 5 mJ at 310.6 nm, with a pulse repetition rates of 50 Hz. The output characteristics satisfy the medical requirements for psoriasis and vitiligo treatment. A new optical scheme for third harmonic generation enhancement at moderate levels of input intensities is proposed and investigated. As a result, 40% harmonic efficiency was obtained, when input pulse power was only 300 kW.

1047 nm laser diode master oscillator Nd:YLF power amplifier laser system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu, A. W.; Krainak, M. A.; Unger, G. L.

1993-01-01

A master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) laser transmitter system at 1047 nm wavelength using a semiconductor laser diode and a diode pumped solid state (Nd:YLF) laser (DPSSL) amplifier is described. A small signal gain of 23 dB, a near diffraction limited beam, 1 Gbit/s modulation rates and greater than 0.6 W average power are achieved. This MOPA laser has the advantage of amplifying the modulation signal from the laser diode master oscillator (MO) with no signal degradation.

Quasi four-level Tm:LuAG laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jani, Mahendra G. (Inventor); Barnes, Norman P. (Inventor); Hutcheson, Ralph L. (Inventor); Rodriguez, Waldo J. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A quasi four-level solid-state laser is provided. A laser crystal is disposed in a laser cavity. The laser crystal has a LuAG-based host material doped to a final concentration between about 2% and about 7% thulium (Tm) ions. For the more heavily doped final concentrations, the LuAG-based host material is a LuAG seed crystal doped with a small concentration of Tm ions. Laser diode arrays are disposed transversely to the laser crystal for energizing the Tm ions.

Cryogenic Tm: YAG Laser in the Near Infrared

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-29

Applications Group. The focus of his work at Lincoln Laboratory has been solid-state lasers including microchip lasers , external-cavity diode lasers ...REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR PAPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (DOUBLE-CLICK HERE TO EDIT) < Cryogenic Tm:YAG Laser in the Near Infrared* Tso Yee Fan...Senior Member, IEEE, Juan R. Ochoa, and Patricia A. Reed Abstract- Thulium laser operation on the 3H4 - 3H6 transition at 823 nm has been demonstrated

High density, optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, v-groove monolithic laser diode array

DOEpatents

Freitas, B.L.

1998-10-27

An optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser diode array achieves stacking pitches to 33 bars/cm by mounting laser diodes into V-shaped grooves. This design will deliver > 4kW/cm{sup 2} of directional pulsed laser power. This optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser is usable in all solid state laser systems which require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources. 13 figs.

CO2 laser drives extreme ultraviolet nano-lithography — second life of mature laser technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowak, K. M.; Ohta, T.; Suganuma, T.; Fujimoto, J.; Mizoguchi, H.; Sumitani, A.; Endo, A.

2013-12-01

It was shown both theoretically and experimentally that nanosecond order laser pulses at 10.6 micron wavelength were superior for driving the Sn plasma extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source for nano-lithography for the reasons of higher conversion efficiency, lower production of debris and higher average power levels obtainable in CO2 media without serious problems of beam distortions and nonlinear effects occurring in competing solid-state lasers at high intensities. The renewed interest in such pulse format, wavelength, repetition rates in excess of 50 kHz and average power levels in excess of 18 kiloWatt has sparked new opportunities for a matured multi-kiloWatt CO2 laser technology. The power demand of EUV source could be only satisfied by a Master-Oscillator-Power-Amplifier system configuration, leading to a development of a new type of hybrid pulsed CO2 laser employing a whole spectrum of CO2 technology, such as fast flow systems and diffusion-cooled planar waveguide lasers, and relatively recent quantum cascade lasers. In this paper we review briefly the history of relevant pulsed CO2 laser technology and the requirements for multi-kiloWatt CO2 laser, intended for the laser-produced plasma EUV source, and present our recent advances, such as novel solid-state seeded master oscillator and efficient multi-pass amplifiers built on planar waveguide CO2 lasers.

Solid State Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-07

Excimer-Laser Projection Lithography 38 4.5 Observation of Millimeter-Wave Oscillations from Resonant- Tunneling Diodes and Some Theroretical...and SIMOX Circuits 32 4-1 Resonant Tunneling Diode Parameters 41 XI INTRODUCTION 1. SOLID STATE DEVICE RESEARCH Optoelectronic switches have...radiation and reflective optics. Oscillation frequencies as high as 56 GHz have been observed from resonant- tunneling double- barrier diodes. Recent

Energy sources for triton's geyser-like plumes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brown, R.H.; Kirk, R.L.; Johnson, T.V.; Soderblom, L.A.

1990-01-01

Four geyser-like plumes were discovered near Triton's south pole in areas now in permanent sunlight. Because Triton's southern hemisphere is nearing a maximum summer solstice, insolation as a driver or a trigger for Triton's geyser-like plumes is an attractive hypothesis. Trapping of solar radiation in a translucent, low-conductivity surface layer (in a solid-state greenhouse), which is subsequently released in the form of latent heat of sublimation, could provide the required energy. Both the classical solid-state greenhouse consisting of exponentially absorbed insolation in a gray, translucent layer of solid nitrogen, and the "super" greenhouse consisting of a relatively transparent solid-nitrogen layer over an opaque, absorbing layer are plausible candidates. Geothermal heat may also play a part if assisted by the added energy input of seasonal cycles of insolation.

Fiber Laser Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-05-03

AFRL-DE-PS- AFRL-DE-PS- TR-2006-1059 TR-2006-1059 FIBER LASER ARRAYS Thomas B. Simpson L-3 Communications-Jaycor 3394...LEANNE J HENRY, Lt Col, USAF L. BRUCE SIMPSON, SES Chief, High Power Solid State Laser Branch Director, Directed Energy Directorate...SUBTITLE Fiber Laser Arrays 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 62605F 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 4866 5e. TASK NUMBER LR 6. AUTHOR(S) Thomas B. Simpson

System for beaming power from earth to a high altitude platform

DOEpatents

Friedman, Herbert W.; Porter, Terry J.

2002-01-01

Power is transmitted to a high altitude platform by an array of diode pumped solid state lasers each operated at a single range of laser wavelengths outside of infrared and without using adaptive optics. Each laser produces a beam with a desired arrival spot size. An aircraft avoidance system uses a radar system for automatic control of the shutters of the lasers.

Fast widely-tunable single-frequency 2-micron laser for remote-sensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henderson, Sammy W.; Hale, Charley P.

2017-08-01

We are developing a family of fast, widely-tunable cw diode-pumped single frequency solid-state lasers, called Swift. The Swift laser architecture is compatible with operation using many different solid-state laser crystals for operation at various emission lines between 1 and 2.1 micron. The initial prototype Swift laser using a Tm,Ho:YLF laser crystal near 2.05 micron wavelength achieved over 100 mW of single frequency cw output power, up to 50 GHz-wide, fast, mode-hop-free piezoelectric tunability, and 100 kHz/ms frequency stability. For the Tm,Ho:YLF laser material, the fast 50 GHz tuning range can be centered at any wavelength from 2047-2059 nm using appropriate intracavity spectral filters. The frequency stability and power are sufficient to serve as the local oscillator (LO) laser in long-range coherent wind-measuring lidar systems, as well as a frequency-agile master oscillator (MO) or injection-seed source for larger pulsed transmitter lasers. The rapid and wide frequency tunablity meets the requirements for integrated-path or range-resolved differential absorption lidar or applications where targets with significantly different line of sight velocities (Doppler shifts) must be tracked. Initial demonstration of an even more compact version of the Swift is also described which requires less prime power and produces less waste heat.

Study on accumulated crystallization characteristics of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 induced by multi-pulsed laser irradiations with different fluences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, T.; Liu, F. R.; Li, W. Q.; Guo, J. C.; Wang, Y. H.; Sun, N. X.; Liu, F.

2018-07-01

Accumulated crystallization characteristics of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 (a-GST) films induced by multi-pulsed laser irradiations with different fluences were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and spectrophotometer. Solid-state transformation was performed at low fluence (LF, 30.5 mJ cm‑2), whereas melting-cooling transformation dominated at medium and high fluence (MF, 45.7 and HF, 61 mJ cm‑2). Solid-state transformation induced by subsequent LF pulses promoted the growth and coalescence of grains, linearly increasing the average grain size, accordingly causing blue-shifts of the Raman spectral peaks. For MF/HF pulse irradiated films, the relatively high laser fluence increased the melting depth and reduced the volume fraction of the crystalline state induced by individual pulses, thereby increasing the threshold of laser pulse numbers for XRD detectable crystallization. However, the remelting depth induced by subsequent MF/HF laser pulse progressively decreased. The remelting-recrystallization process refined grain sizes, which improved the red-shifts of Raman spectral peaks. Moreover, optical contrast increased dramatically compared to single laser irradiation and five-level storage could be realized for a linear increase of optical contrast. The present study is fundamental for realizing the potential of multi-level devices.

High performance organic transistor active-matrix driver developed on paper substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Boyu; Ren, Xiaochen; Wang, Zongrong; Wang, Xinyu; Roberts, Robert C.; Chan, Paddy K. L.

2014-09-01

The fabrication of electronic circuits on unconventional substrates largely broadens their application areas. For example, green electronics achieved through utilization of biodegradable or recyclable substrates, can mitigate the solid waste problems that arise at the end of their lifespan. Here, we combine screen-printing, high precision laser drilling and thermal evaporation, to fabricate organic field effect transistor (OFET) active-matrix (AM) arrays onto standard printer paper. The devices show a mobility and on/off ratio as high as 0.56 cm2V-1s-1 and 109 respectively. Small electrode overlap gives rise to a cut-off frequency of 39 kHz, which supports that our AM array is suitable for novel practical applications. We demonstrate an 8 × 8 AM light emitting diode (LED) driver with programmable scanning and information display functions. The AM array structure has excellent potential for scaling up.

High performance organic transistor active-matrix driver developed on paper substrate

PubMed Central

Peng, Boyu; Ren, Xiaochen; Wang, Zongrong; Wang, Xinyu; Roberts, Robert C.; Chan, Paddy K. L.

2014-01-01

The fabrication of electronic circuits on unconventional substrates largely broadens their application areas. For example, green electronics achieved through utilization of biodegradable or recyclable substrates, can mitigate the solid waste problems that arise at the end of their lifespan. Here, we combine screen-printing, high precision laser drilling and thermal evaporation, to fabricate organic field effect transistor (OFET) active-matrix (AM) arrays onto standard printer paper. The devices show a mobility and on/off ratio as high as 0.56 cm2V−1s−1 and 109 respectively. Small electrode overlap gives rise to a cut-off frequency of 39 kHz, which supports that our AM array is suitable for novel practical applications. We demonstrate an 8 × 8 AM light emitting diode (LED) driver with programmable scanning and information display functions. The AM array structure has excellent potential for scaling up. PMID:25234244

Atmospheric Propagation and Combining of High-Power Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-08

Brightness-scaling potential of actively phase- locked solid state laser arrays,” IEEE J. Sel. Topics Quantum Electron., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 460–472, May...attempting to phase- lock high-power lasers, which is not encountered when phase- locking low-power lasers, for example mW power levels. Regardless, we...technology does not currently exist. This presents a challenging problem when attempting to phase- lock high-power lasers, which is not encountered when

Suppression of parasitic oscillations in a core-doped ceramic Nd:YAG laser by Sm:YAG cladding.

PubMed

Huss, Rafael; Wilhelm, Ralf; Kolleck, Christian; Neumann, Jörg; Kracht, Dietmar

2010-06-07

The onset of parasitic oscillations limits the extraction efficiency and therefore energy scaling of Q-switched lasers. A solid-state laser was end pumped with a fiber-coupled diode laser and operated in q-cw as well as in passively Q-switched operation. For Q-switched operation, we demonstrate the suppression of parasitic oscillations in a core-doped ceramic Nd:YAG laser by Sm:YAG cladding.

Lasers and Optics

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-05

AFRL:! ... J ,, 4 DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. • High Average Power Solid-State Lasers • Ceramic Solid...Stanford Romain Gaume – U.C.F. DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 11 DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public...Ceramics Robert Byer - Stanford Romain Gaume – U.C.F. 12 0 5 10 15 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 A b s o rp ti o n C o e ff ic e in

New Generation Lidar Technology and Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spinhirne, James D.

1999-01-01

Lidar has been a tool for atmospheric research for several decades. Until recently routine operational use of lidar was not known. Problems have involved a lack of appropriate technology rather than a lack of applications. Within the last few years, lidar based on a new generation of solid state lasers and detectors have changed the situation. Operational applications for cloud and aerosol research applications are now well established. In these research applications, the direct height profiling capability of lidar is typically an adjunct to other types of sensing, both passive and active. Compact eye safe lidar with the sensitivity for ground based monitoring of all significant cloud and aerosol structure and the reliability to operate full time for several years is now in routine use. The approach is known as micro pulse lidar (MPL). For MPL the laser pulse repetition rate is in the kilohertz range and the pulse energies are in the micro-Joule range. The low pulse energy permits the systems to be eye safe and reliable with solid state lasers. A number of MPL systems have been deployed since 1992 at atmospheric research sites at a variety of global locations. Accurate monitoring of cloud and aerosol vertical distribution is a critical measurement for atmospheric radiation. An airborne application of lidar cloud and aerosol profiling is retrievals of parameters from combined lidar and passive sensing involving visible, infrared and microwave frequencies. A lidar based on a large pulse, solid state diode pumped ND:YAG laser has been deployed on the NASA ER-2 high altitude research aircraft along with multi-spectral visible/IR and microwave imaging radiometers since 1993. The system has shown high reliability in an extensive series of experimental projects for cloud remote sensing. The retrieval of cirrus radiation parameters is an effective application for combined lidar and passive sensing. An approved NASA mission will soon begin long term lidar observation of atmospheric structure from space. The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) of the Earth Observing System is scheduled for deployment in the 2001 time frame. GLAS is both a cloud and aerosol lidar and a surface altimeter, principally for monitoring of polar ice sheets. The GLAS instrument is based on all solid state lasers operating at 40 Hz and high efficiency, solid state detectors. The design lifetime is three to five years. Data from the GLAS mission is expected to revolutionize some aspects of our understanding of the global distribution of cloud and aerosols for global climate prediction.

Solid State Mobile Lidar for Ozone Atmospheric Profiling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De Young, Russell; Carrion, William; Pliutau, Denis; Ganoe, Rene

2014-01-01

A tunable Ce:LiCAF laser is pumped by a CLBO crystal pumped by a doubled Nd:YLF laser running at 1 kilohertz. The UV tunable Ce:LiCAF laser produces two UV pulses between 280 to 295 nanometers. These pulses are transmitted into the atmosphere to profile the concentration of ozone as a function of altitude.

Double-Pulsed 2-micron Laser Transmitter for Multiple Lidar Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Upendra N.; Yu, Jirong

2002-01-01

A high energy double-pulsed Ho:Tm:YLF 2-micron laser amplifier has been demonstrated. 600 mJ per pulse pair under Q-switch operation is achieved with the gain of 4.4. This solid-state laser source can be used as lidar transmitter for multiple lidar applications such as coherent wind and carbon dioxide measurements.

Doped sesquioxide ceramic for eye-safe solid state laser materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Woohong; Baker, Colin; Florea, Catalin; Frantz, Jesse; Villalobos, Guillermo; Shaw, Brandon; Bowman, Steve; O'Connor, Shawn; Sadowski, Bryan; Hunt, Michael; Aggalwar, Ishwar; Sanghera, Jasbinder

2013-03-01

In this paper, we present our recent results in the development of Ho3+ doped sesquioxides for eye-safe solid state lasers. We have synthesized optical quality Lu2O3 nanopowders doped with concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, and 5% Ho3+. The powders were synthesized by a co-precipitation method beginning with nitrates of holmium and lutetium. The nanopowders were hot pressed into optical quality ceramic discs. The optical transmission of the ceramic discs is excellent, nearly approaching the theoretical limit. The optical, spectral and morphological properties as well as the lasing performance from highly transparent ceramics are presented.

Automatic low-order aberrations compensator for a conduction-cooled end-pumped solid-state zigzag slab laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xin; Dong, Lizhi; Lai, Boheng; Yang, Ping; Wang, Shuai; Wang, Xun; Liu, Yong; Tang, Guomao; Xu, Bing

2017-11-01

In order to solve the problem of large low-order aberrations with solid-state zigzag slab lasers, an automatic compensator has been developed in this paper. In this compensator, three lenses are mounted on a motorized rail, whose positions can be obtained using ray tracing method based on the beam parameters detected by a wave-front sensor. The initial peak to valley (PV) values of the wave-front range up to several tens of microns. Both simulated and experimental results show that the PV values of the wave-front can be reduced to around 1 . 6 μm with the proposed automatic compensator.

Laser ion source for high brightness heavy ion beam

DOE PAGES

Okamura, M.

2016-09-01

A laser ion source is known as a high current high charge state heavy ion source. But, we place great emphasis on the capability to realize a high brightness ion source. A laser ion source has a pinpoint small volume where materials are ionized and can achieve quite uniform low temperature ion beam. Those features may enable us to realize very small emittance beams. Furthermore, a low charge state high brightness laser ion source was successfully commissioned in Brookhaven National Laboratory in 2014. Now most of all the solid based heavy ions are being provided from the laser ion sourcemore » for regular operation.« less

Stable donutlike vortex beam generation from lasers with controlled Ince-Gaussian modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Shu-Chun; Otsuka, Kenju

2007-11-01

This study proposes a three-lens configuration for generating a stable donutlike vortex laser beam with controlled Ince-Gaussian mode (IGM) operation in the model of laser-diode (LD)-pumped solid-state lasers. Simply controlling the lateral off-axis position of the pump beam's focus on the laser crystal can generate a desired donutlike vortex beam from the proposed simple and easily made three-lens configuration, a proposed astigmatic mode converter assembled into one body with a concave-convex laser cavity.

Comprehensive study of electro-optic and passive Q-switching in solid state lasers for altimeter applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhardwaj, Atul; Agrawal, Lalita; Pal, Suranjan; Kumar, Anil

2006-12-01

Laser Science and Technology Center (LASTEC), Delhi, is developing a space qualified diode pumped Nd: YAG laser transmitter capable of generating 10 ns pulses of 30 mJ energy @ 10 pps. This paper presents the results of experiments for comparative studies between electro-optic and passively Q-switched Nd: YAG laser in a crossed porro prism based laser resonator. Experimental studies have been performed by developing an economical bench model of flash lamp pumped Nd: YAG laser (rod dimension, \

FInal Technical Repot of the Project: Design and Implementation of Low-Power 10Gb/s/channel Laser/Silicon Photonics Modulator Drivers with SEU Tolerance for HL-LHC

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

Gui, Ping

During the funding period of this award from May 1, 2014 through March 30, 2016, we have accomplished the design, implementation and measurement results of two laser driver chips: LpGBLD10+ which is a low-power single-channel 10Gb/s laser driver IC, and LDQ10P, which is a 4x10Gb/s driver array chip for High Energy Physics (HEP) applications. With new circuit techniques, the driver consumes a record-low power consumption, 31 mW @10Gb/s/channel and occupies a small area of 400 µm × 1750 µm for the single-channel driver IC and 1900umx1700um for the LDQ10P chip. These characteristics allow for both the LpGBLD10+ ICs and LDQ10P suitable candidatemore » for the Versatile Link PLUS (VL+) project, offering flexibility in configuring multiple Transmitters and receivers.« less

A 1000 Hz Pulsed Solid-State Raman Laser for Coherent Lidar Measurement of Wake Vortices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koch, Grady J.; Murray, James; Lytle, Carroll; Nguyen, Chi

1997-01-01

Included in the overview is a discussion of the 1.5 micron laser specifications, eye safety and cost, scan rates, pulselength, range capability issues, Raman beam cleanup, receiver layout, and the real-time processor and display.

Remarks to SBS PCM based self-navigation of laser drivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalal, M.; Matena, L.; Kong, HJ; Martinkova, M.; Cha, S.

2016-03-01

A novel technology of self-navigation of laser drivers on injected inertial fusion energy pellets employing phase conjugating mirrors based on stimulating Brillouin scattering was recently proposed. Its feasibility as well as various implications were gradually studied and working solutions to potential problems were always suggested. As this technology could help to overcome several burning key issues of inertial fusion (e.g., a sufficiently precise navigation of laser drivers on injected pellets in the case of a direct drive scheme and decreased requirements on high-repetition high-power lasers) it gradually started to attract a carefully measured tentative interest among the major inertial fusion oriented laboratories and projects. In this paper the next step in this research path will be reported. It concerns the resulting phase and amplitude structures created by multiple low energy drivers (glints) illuminating the pellet during the first stage of the process after their reflection and a subsequent superposition on the collecting/focusing final optics. It was demonstrated that with a large number of such drivers acting simultaneously from many angles the situation gets somewhat complicated and requires more detailed studies/suggestions of suitable configurations.

Continued advances in high brightness fiber-coupled laser modules for efficient pumping of fiber and solid-state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemenway, M.; Chen, Z.; Urbanek, W.; Dawson, D.; Bao, L.; Kanskar, M.; DeVito, M.; Martinsen, R.

2018-02-01

Both the fibber laser and diode-pumped solid-state laser market continue to drive advances in pump diode module brightness. We report on the continued progress by nLIGHT to develop and deliver the highest brightness diode-laser pumps using single-emitter technology. Continued advances in multimode laser diode technology [13] and fiber-coupling techniques have enabled higher emitter counts in the element packages, enabling us to demonstrate 305 W into 105 μm - 0.16 NA. This brightness improvement is achieved by leveraging our prior-reported package re-optimization, allowing an increase in the emitter count from two rows of nine emitters to two rows of twelve emitters. Leveraging the two rows off twelve emitter architecture,, product development has commenced on a 400 W into 200 μm - 00.16 NA package. Additionally, the advances in pump technology intended for CW Yb-doped fiber laser pumping has been leveraged to develop the highest brightness 793 nm pump modules for 2 μm Thulium fiber laser pumping, generating 150 W into 200 μm - 0.18 NA and 100 W into 105 μm - 0.15 NA. Lastly, renewed interest in direct diode materials processing led us to experiment with wavelength multiplexing our existing state of the art 200 W, 105 μm - 00.15 NA package into a combined output of 395 WW into 105 μm - 0.16 NA.

High power CO2 coherent ladar haven't quit the stage of military affairs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Heyong

2015-05-01

The invention of the laser in 1960 created the possibility of using a source of coherent light as a transmitter for a laser radar (ladar). Coherent ladar shares many of the basic features of more common microwave radars. However, it is the extremely short operating wavelength of lasers that introduces new military applications, especially in the area of missile identification, space target tracking, remote rang finding, camouflage discrimination and toxic agent detection. Therefore, the most popular application field such as laser imaging and ranging were focused on CO2 laser in the last few decades. But during the development of solid state and fiber laser, some people said that the CO2 laser will be disappeared and will be replaced by the solid and fiber laser in the field of military and industry. The coherent CO2 laser radar will have the same destiny in the field of military affairs. However, to my opinion, the high power CO2 laser will be the most important laser source for laser radar and countermeasure in the future.

Yb:YAG ceramic-based laser driver for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vetrovec, John; Copeland, Drew A.; Litt, Amardeep S.

2016-03-01

We report on a new class of laser amplifiers for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) drivers based on a Yb:YAG ceramic disk in an edge-pumped configuration and cooled by a high-velocity gas flow. The Yb lasant offers very high efficiency and low waste heat. The ceramic host material has a thermal conductivity nearly 15-times higher than the traditionally used glass and it is producible in sizes suitable for a typical 10- to 20-kJ driver beam line. The combination of high lasant efficiency, low waste heat, edge-pumping, and excellent thermal conductivity of the host, enable operation at 10 to 20 Hz at over 20% wall plug efficiency while being comparably smaller and less costly than recently considered face-pumped alternative drivers using Nd:glass, Yb:S-FAP, and cryogenic Yb:YAG. Scalability of the laser driver over a broad range of sizes is presented.

Dental ablation with 1064 nm, 500 ps, Diode pumped solid state laser: A preliminary study.

PubMed

Sozzi, Michele; Fornaini, Carlo; Cucinotta, Annamaria; Merigo, Elisabetta; Vescovi, Paolo; Selleri, Stefano

2013-01-01

The Er:YAG laser in conservative dentistry is. good alternative to conventional instruments. Though several studies show the advantages of these devices, some drawbacks and unsolved problems are still present, such as the cost of the device and the large dimensions of the equipment. In the present study, the effectiveness of dental surface ablation with a picosecond infrared diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser was investigated. In vitro tests on extracted human teeth were carried out, with assessment of the ablation quality in the tooth and thermal increase inside the pulp chamber. A solid-state picosecond laser was used for the experiments. The samples were exposed to laser energy at 1064 nm at a frequency of 30 kHz and a 500 ps pulse width. The target teeth were cooled during exposures. The internal temperature of the pulp chamber was monitored with. thermocouple. Optical microscope images showed effective ablation with the absence of carbonisation and micro-cracks. The cooling maintained the temperature rise in the pulp chamber below the permitted 5.5°C. The main problem with the use of lasers in dentistry when teeth are the target is the heat generated in the pulp chamber of the target teeth. With lasers operating in the femtosecond mode, a better management of the internal temperature is possible, but is offset by the high cost of such devices. With the ps domain system used in the present study together with cooling using chilled water, effective and clean ablation could be achieved with a controlled thermal effect in the pulp chamber. In this preliminary study with a picosecond domain DPSS laser using water cooling for the target, effective hard tissue ablation was achieved keeping the thermal increase in the pulp within the permitted range. The results suggest that this system could be used in clinical practice with appropriate modifications.

Cavity length dependence of mode beating in passively Q-switched Nd-solid state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zameroski, Nathan D.; Wanke, Michael; Bossert, David

2013-03-01

The temporal intensity profile of pulse(s) from passively Q-switched and passively Q-switched mode locked (QSML) solid-state lasers is known to be dependent on cavity length. In this work, the pulse width, modulation depth, and beat frequencies of a Nd:Cr:GSGG laser using a Cr+4:YAG passive Q-switch are investigated as function cavity length. Measured temporal widths are linearly correlated with cavity length but generally 3-5 ns larger than theoretical predictions. Some cavity lengths exhibit pulse profiles with no modulation while other lengths exhibit complete amplitude modulation. The observed beat frequencies at certain cavity lengths cannot be accounted for with passively QSML models in which the pulse train repetition rate is τRT-1, τRT= round-trip time. They can be explained, however, by including coupled cavity mode-locking effects. A theoretical model developed for a two section coupled cavity semiconductor laser is adapted to a solid-state laser to interpret measured beat frequencies. We also numerically evaluate the temporal criterion required to achieve temporally smooth Q-switched pulses, versus cavity length and pump rate. We show that in flash lamp pumped systems, the difference in buildup time between longitudinal modes is largely dependent on the pump rate. In applications where short pulse delay is important, the pumping rate may limit the ability to achieve temporally smooth pulses in passively Q-switched lasers. Simulations support trends in experimental data. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Experimental research on the stability and the multilongitudinal mode interference of bidirectional outputs of LD-pumped solid state ring laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Shunping; Tian, Qian; Sun, Liqun; Yao, Minyan; Mao, Xianhui; Qiu, Hongyun

2004-05-01

This paper reports an experimental research on the stability of bidirectional outputs and multi-longitudinal mode interference of laser diode end-pumped Nd:YVO4 solid-state ring laser (DPSSL). The bidirectional, multi-longitudinal and TEM00 mode continuous wave outputs are obtained and the output powers are measured and their stabilities are analyzed respectively. The spectral characteristic of the outputs is measured. The interfering pattern of the bidirectional longitudinal mode outputs is obtained and analyzed in the condition of the ring cavity with rotation velocity. The movement of the interfering fringe of the multi-longitudinal modes is very sensitive to the deformation of the setup base and the fluctuation of the intracavity air, but is stationary or randomly dithers when the stage is rotating.

Semiconductor Laser Diode Arrays by MOCVD (Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition)

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

laser diode arrays are intended to be used as an optical pump for solid state yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers. In particular, linear uniform...corresponds to about . , 8080A. Such thin layer structures, while difficult to grow by such conventional growth methods as liquid phase epitaxy ( LPE ...lower yet than for DH lasers grown by LPE . , - Conventional self-aligned stripe laser This structure is formed by growing (on an n-type GaAs substrate

Development of the micro-scanning optical system of yellow laser applied to the ophthalmologic area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortega, Tiago A.; Mota, Alessandro D.; Costal, Glauco Z.; Fontes, Yuri C.; Rossi, Giuliano; Yasuoka, Fatima M. M.; Stefani, Mario A.; de Castro N., Jarbas C.

2012-10-01

In this work, the development of a laser scanning system for ophthalmology with micrometric positioning precision is presented. It is a semi-automatic scanning system for retina photocoagulation and laser trabeculoplasty. The equipment is a solid state laser fully integrated to the slit lamp. An optical system is responsible for producing different laser spot sizes on the image plane and a pair of galvanometer mirrors generates the scanning patterns.

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)

DBR and DFB Lasers in Neodymium- and Ytterbium-Doped Photothermorefractive Glasses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryasnyanskiy, Aleksandr; Vorobiev, N.; Smirnov, V.; Lumeau, J.; Glebov, A.; Mokhun, O..; Spiegelberg, Ch.; Krainak, Michael A.; Glebov, A.; Glebov, L.

2014-01-01

The first demonstration, to the best of our knowledge, of distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) and monolithic distributed feedback (DFB) lasers in photothermorefractive glass doped with rare-earth ions is reported. The lasers were produced by incorporation of the volume Bragg gratings into the laser gain elements. A monolithic single-frequency solid-state laser with a line width of 250 kHz and output power of 150 mW at 1066 nm is demonstrated.

Threshold analysis of pulsed lasers with application to a room-temperature Co:MgF2 laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harrison, James; Welford, David; Moulton, Peter F.

1989-01-01

Rate-equation calculations are used to model accurately the near-threshold behavior of a Co:MgF2 laser operating at room temperature. The results demonstrate the limitations of the conventional threshold analysis in cases of practical interest. This conclusion is applicable to pulsed solid-state lasers in general. The calculations, together with experimental data, are used to determine emission cross sections for the Co:MgF2 laser.

Organization of the Topical Meeting on Tunable Solid State Lasers Held in North Falmouth, Massachusetts on 1-3 May 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-30

nm to produce blue light at 455 nm (Figure 1). A 20 Hz doubled Nd:YAG pump laser emitting up to 150 mJ at 532 nm 147 WA4-2 was used to resonantly...pumped by a diode laser, then in addition to the processes of Fig. 1, excited state absorption of the pump light from both 4I13,/z and 4I3112 may be...are visible and UV systems pumped at wavelengths that are available from semiconductor diode lasers and infrared emitting systems having high slope

Design of a quasi-CW laser diode driver for space-based laser transmitter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ravindra; Dangwal, Nishma; Chandraprakash, .; Agrawal, Lalita; Pal, Suranjan; Kamlakar, J. A.

2006-12-01

LASTEC Delhi in a joint collaborative activity with LEOS, Bangalore is developing a space qualified diode array pumped Nd:YAG laser transmitter delivering 30 mJ @ 10 pps of 10 ns duration. For space applications laser diodes are preferred because of their excellent reliability with lifetimes exceeding 100,000 hours. However, they are extremely sensitive to electro-static discharge, excessive current levels, and current spikes and transients. Small variations in bias voltage may produce large fluctuations in the current causing instability and damage to the device. Hence instead of the traditional power supplies a current controlled laser diode driver is required. This paper presents the design of a Q-CW laser diode driver based on closed loop current regulator, capable of driving 24 QCW laser diode bars each with 75W peak power at 70 A. The driver can generate up to 100 Amp peak current and 200μsec pulse width operating at 10 Hz. The current source design includes special circuits for low noise operation, slow turn-on and turn-off, circuits for over voltage and transient current protection; and good regulation. Space qualified and radiation hardened components are required to be used to sustain stringent space environment requirements during mission life of two years.

Reliability and Failure Modes of Solid-State Lighting Electrical Drivers Subjected to Accelerated Aging

DOE PAGES

Lall, Pradeep; Sakalaukus, Peter; Davis, Lynn

2015-02-19

An investigation of an off-the-shelf solid-state lighting device with the primary focus on the accompanied light-emitting diode (LED) electrical driver (ED) has been conducted. A set of 10 EDs were exposed to temperature humidity life testing of 85% RH and 85 C (85/85) without an electrical bias per the JEDEC standard JESD22-A101C in order to accelerate the ingress of moisture into the aluminum electrolytic capacitor (AEC) and the EDs in order to assess the reliability of the LED drivers for harsh environment applications. The capacitance and equivalent series resistance for each AEC inside the ED were measured using a handheldmore » LCR meter as possible leading indications of failure. The photometric quantities of a single pristine light engine were monitored in order to investigate the interaction between the light engine and the EDs. These parameters were used in assessing the overall reliability of the EDs. In addition, a comparative analysis has been conducted between the 85/85 accelerated test data and a previously published high-temperature storage life accelerated test of 135°C. The results of the 85/85 acceleration test and the comparative analysis are presented in this paper.« less

78 FR 17875 - Commercial Driver's License Testing and Commercial Learner's Permit Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-25

... Section 383.153(b)(1) prohibits States from placing a digital color image or photograph or black and white... petitions requesting reconsideration on the grounds that prohibiting the inclusion of a digital color image... include a digital color image or photograph or black and white laser engraved photograph or other visual...

Closed-loop wavelength stabilization of an optical parametric oscillator as a front end of a high-power iodine laser chain.

PubMed

Kral, L

2007-05-01

We present a complex stabilization and control system for a commercially available optical parametric oscillator. The system is able to stabilize the oscillator's output wavelength at a narrow spectral line of atomic iodine with subpicometer precision, allowing utilization of this solid-state parametric oscillator as a front end of a high-power photodissociation laser chain formed by iodine gas amplifiers. In such setup, a precise wavelength matching between the front end and the amplifier chain is necessary due to extremely narrow spectral lines of the gaseous iodine (approximately 20 pm). The system is based on a personal computer, a heated iodine cell, and a few other low-cost components. It automatically identifies the proper peak within the iodine absorption spectrum, and then keeps the oscillator tuned to this peak with high precision and reliability. The use of the solid-state oscillator as the front end allows us to use the whole iodine laser system as a pump laser for the optical parametric chirped pulse amplification, as it enables precise time synchronization with a signal Ti:sapphire laser.

Solid-state laser sources for remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, R. L.; Kane, T.; Eggleston, J.; Long, S. Y.

1983-01-01

Recent progress in slab-geometry and conventional rod Nd:YAG solid-state lasers for applications in remote sensing is presented. Developments in slab geometry lasers, which were aimed at improving pulse energy and tuning range, have been based on the use of a Nd:glass substrate with a zig-zag optical path, with selective Raman shifting in gases and harmonic generation in LiNbO3 and KDP to extend the tuning range into the UV and visible regions. The theoretically predicted advantages of the elimination of birefringence and thermal and stress-induced focusing in the slab-geometry laser have been confirmed in measurements on a test-bed Nd:glass system, and a CW lamp pumped Nd:YAG oscillator, which have also demonstrated an order of magnitude improvement in laser performance. A single axial mode Nd:YAG oscillator has also been designed which, operating in a 3-msec quasi-CW mode, has a chirp rate of 30 kHz/microsec and a free-running stability of + or - 20 MHz. With chirp compensation, this stability is adequate for wind velocity measurements by coherent lidar.

High energy diode-pumped solid-state laser development at the Central Laser Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mason, Paul D.; Banerjee, Saumyabrata; Ertel, Klaus; Phillips, P. Jonathan; Butcher, Thomas; Smith, Jodie; De Vido, Mariastefania; Chekhlov, Oleg; Hernandez-Gomez, Cristina; Edwards, Chris; Collier, John

2016-04-01

In this paper we review the development of high energy, nanosecond pulsed diode-pumped solid state lasers within the Central Laser Facility (CLF) based on cryogenic gas cooled multi-slab ceramic Yb:YAG amplifier technology. To date two 10J-scale systems, the DiPOLE prototype amplifier and an improved DIPOLE10 system, have been developed, and most recently a larger scale system, DiPOLE100, designed to produce 100 J pulses at up to 10 Hz. These systems have demonstrated amplification of 10 ns duration pulses at 1030 nm to energies in excess of 10 J at 10 Hz pulse repetition rate, and over 100 J at 1 Hz, with optical-to-optical conversion efficiencies of up to 27%. We present an overview of the cryo-amplifier concept and compare the design features of these three systems, including details of the amplifier designs, gain media, diode pump lasers and the cryogenic gas cooling systems. The most recent performance results from the three systems are presented along with future plans for high energy DPSSL development within the CLF.

All-Union Conference on Laser Optics, 4th, Leningrad, USSR, January 13-18, 1984, Proceedings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bukhenskii, M. F.

1984-08-01

The papers presented in this volume provide an overview of current theoretical and experimental research in laser optics. Topics discussed include electronically controlled tunable lasers, nonlinear phenomena in fiber-optic waveguides, holographic distributed-feedback dye lasers, and new developments in solid-state lasers. Papers are also presented on the generation of picosecond pulses through self-Q-switching in a distributed-feedback laser, temporal compression of light pulses during stimulated backscattering, and optimization of second harmonic generation in a multimode Nd:glass laser.

Solid State Division progress report for period ending March 31, 1997

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

Green, P.H.; Hinton, L.W.

1997-12-01

This report covers research progress in the Solid State Division from April 1, 1995, through March 31, 1997. During this period, the division conducted a broad, interdisciplinary materials research program in support of Department of Energy science and technology missions. The report includes brief summaries of research activities in condensed matter theory, neutron scattering, synthesis and characterization of materials, ion beam and laser processing, and the structure of solids and surfaces. An addendum includes listings of division publications and professional activities.

Solid-state laser pumping with a planar compound parabolic concentrator.

PubMed

Panteli, D V; Pani, B M; Beli, L Z

1997-10-20

A novel solid-state laser-pumping scheme is proposed that combines a reflective lamp chamber and a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) as a light guide. The CPC is made of a transparent material of high refractive index, and light is guided by the total internal reflection, with drastically reduced reflection losses. Material is chosen so that the absorption losses are minimized in the pumping wavelength range. The lamp chamber is designed with the principles of nonimaging optics, which ensures that the radiation is efficiently transferred from the lamp to the input aperture of the CPC. The pumping efficiency was first estimated theoretically, which gave us enough justification for the more accurate calculations with ray tracing. Single as well as multiple pumping cavities are discussed. New pumping geometry results in significantly increased pumping efficiency compared with conventional geometries. Also the lamp and the laser rod are separated, leading to reduced thermal load. We found that the proposed pumping method is also applicable to diode-pumped lasers.

1.6  MW peak power, 90  ps all-solid-state laser from an aberration self-compensated double-passing end-pumped Nd:YVO₄ rod amplifier.

PubMed

Wang, Chunhua; Liu, Chong; Shen, Lifeng; Zhao, Zhiliang; Liu, Bin; Jiang, Hongbo

2016-03-20

In this paper a delicately designed double-passing end-pumped Nd:YVO₄ rod amplifier is reported that produces 10.2 W average laser output when seeded by a 6 mW Nd:YVO₄ microchip laser at a repetition rate of 70 kHz with pulse duration of 90 ps. A pulse peak power of ∼1.6  MW and pulse energy of ∼143  μJ is achieved. The beam quality is well preserved by a double-passing configuration for spherical-aberration compensation. The laser-beam size in the amplifier is optimized to prevent the unwanted damage from the high pulse peak-power density. This study provides a simple and robust picosecond all-solid-state master oscillator power amplifier system with both high peak power and high beam quality, which shows great potential in the micromachining.

Large-area high-power VCSEL pump arrays optimized for high-energy lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chad; Geske, Jonathan; Garrett, Henry; Cardellino, Terri; Talantov, Fedor; Berdin, Glen; Millenheft, David; Renner, Daniel; Klemer, Daniel

2012-06-01

Practical, large-area, high-power diode pumps for one micron (Nd, Yb) as well as eye-safer wavelengths (Er, Tm, Ho) are critical to the success of any high energy diode pumped solid state laser. Diode efficiency, brightness, availability and cost will determine how realizable a fielded high energy diode pumped solid state laser will be. 2-D Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) arrays are uniquely positioned to meet these requirements because of their unique properties, such as low divergence circular output beams, reduced wavelength drift with temperature, scalability to large 2-D arrays through low-cost and high-volume semiconductor photolithographic processes, high reliability, no catastrophic optical damage failure, and radiation and vacuum operation tolerance. Data will be presented on the status of FLIR-EOC's VCSEL pump arrays. Analysis of the key aspects of electrical, thermal and mechanical design that are critical to the design of a VCSEL pump array to achieve high power efficient array performance will be presented.

Recent advances in efficient long-life, eye-safe solid state and CO2 lasers for laser radar applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, R. V.; Buoncristiani, A. M.; Brockman, P.; Bair, C. H.; Schryer, D. R.; Upchurch, B. T.; Wood, G. M.

1989-01-01

The key problems in the development of eye-safe solid-state lasers are discussed, taking into account the energy transfer mechanisms between the complicated energy level manifolds of the Tm, Ho, Er ion dopants in hosts with decreasing crystal fields such as YAG or YLF. Optimization of energy transfer for efficient lasing through choice of dopant concentration, power density, crystal field and temperature is addressed. The tailoring of energy transfer times to provide efficient energy extraction for short pulses used in DIAL and Doppler lidar is considered. Recent advances in Pt/SnO2 oxide catalysts and other noble metal/metal oxide combinations for CO2 lasers are discussed. Emphasis is given to the dramatic effects of small quantities of H2O vapor for increasing the activity and lifetime of Pt/SnO2 catalysts and to increased lifetime operation with rare isotope (C-12)(O-18)2 lasing mixtures.

All-solid-state deep ultraviolet laser for single-photon ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Yuan, Chengqian; Liu, Xianhu; Zeng, Chenghui; Zhang, Hanyu; Jia, Meiye; Wu, Yishi; Luo, Zhixun; Fu, Hongbing; Yao, Jiannian

2016-02-01

We report here the development of a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer utilizing single-photon ionization based on an all-solid-state deep ultraviolet (DUV) laser system. The DUV laser was achieved from the second harmonic generation using a novel nonlinear optical crystal KBe2BO3F2 under the condition of high-purity N2 purging. The unique property of this laser system (177.3-nm wavelength, 15.5-ps pulse duration, and small pulse energy at ∼15 μJ) bears a transient low power density but a high single-photon energy up to 7 eV, allowing for ionization of chemicals, especially organic compounds free of fragmentation. Taking this advantage, we have designed both pulsed nanospray and thermal evaporation sources to form supersonic expansion molecular beams for DUV single-photon ionization mass spectrometry (DUV-SPI-MS). Several aromatic amine compounds have been tested revealing the fragmentation-free performance of the DUV-SPI-MS instrument, enabling applications to identify chemicals from an unknown mixture.

Laser and optics activities at CREOL

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

Stickley, C.M.

1995-06-01

CREOL is an interdisciplinary institute with a mission to foster and support research and education in the optical and laser sciences and engineering. CREOL`s principal members are its 21-strong faculty. The faculty are encouraged and supported in developing, maintaining, and expanding innovative and sponsored research programs, especially ones that are coupled to industry`s needs. The CREOL Director and Assistant Director, through empowerment by the CREOL faculty, coordinate and oversee the interactive, interdisciplinary projects of the faculty, the 85 graduate students and the 39 research staff. CREOL integrates these research efforts with the general educational mission and goals of the university,more » develops comprehensive course work in the optical and laser sciences and engineering, provides guidance and instruction to graduate students, administers MS and PhD programs, and provides facilities, funds, and administrative support to assist the faculty in carrying out CREOL`s mission and obtaining financial support for the research projects. CREOL`s specific areas of research activity include the following: IR systems; nonlinear optics; crystal growth; nonlinear integrated optics; new solid-state lasers; tunable far-infrared lasers; thin-film optics; theory; semiconductor lasers; x-ray/optical scattering; laser-induced damage; free-electron lasers; solid-state spectroscopy; x-ray sources and applications; laser propagation; laser processing of materials; optical design; optical limiting/sensor protection; diffractive optics; quantum well optoelectronics; dense plasmas/high-field physics; laser radar and remote sensing; diode-based lasers; and glass science.« less

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.

970-nm ridge waveguide diode laser bars for high power DWBC systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkens, Martin; Erbert, Götz; Wenzel, Hans; Knigge, Andrea; Crump, Paul; Maaßdorf, Andre; Fricke, Jörg; Ressel, Peter; Strohmaier, Stephan; Schmidt, Berthold; Tränkle, Günther

2018-02-01

de lasers are key components in material processing laser systems. While mostly used as pump sources for solid state or fiber lasers, direct diode laser systems using dense wavelength multiplexing have come on the market in recent years. These systems are realized with broad area lasers typically, resulting in beam quality inferior to disk or fiber lasers. We will present recent results of highly efficient ridge waveguide (RW) lasers, developed for dense-wavelength-beamcombining (DWBC) laser systems expecting beam qualities comparable to solid state laser systems and higher power conversion efficiencies (PCE). The newly developed RW lasers are based on vertical structures with an extreme double asymmetric large optical cavity. Besides a low vertical divergence these structures are suitable for RW-lasers with (10 μm) broad ridges, emitting in a single mode with a good beam quality. The large stripe width enables a lateral divergence below 10° (95 % power content) and a high PCE by a comparably low series resistance. We present results of single emitters and small test arrays under different external feedback conditions. Single emitters can be tuned from 950 nm to 975 nm and reach 1 W optical power with more than 55 % PCE and a beam quality of M2 < 2 over the full wavelength range. The spectral width is below 30 pm FWHM. 5 emitter arrays were stabilized using the same setup. Up to now we reached 3 W optical power, limited by power supply, with 5 narrow spectral lines.

Launch Architecture Impact on Ascent Abort and Crew Survival

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathias, Donovan L.; Lawrence, Scott L.

2006-01-01

A study was performed to assess the effect of booster configuration on the ascent abort process. A generic abort event sequence was created and booster related risk drivers were identified. Three model boosters were considered in light of the risk drivers: a solid rocket motor configuration, a side mount combination solid and liquid configuration, and a stacked liquid configuration. The primary risk drivers included explosive fireball, overpressure, and fragment effects and booster-crew module re-contact. Risk drivers that were not specifically booster dependent were not addressed. The solid rocket configuration had the most benign influence on an abort while the side mount architecture provided the most challenging abort environment.

Solid-state YVO4/Nd:YVO4/KTP green laser system for the generation of subnanosecond pulses with adjustable kilohertz repetition rate.

PubMed

Zhang, Haijuan; Zhao, Shengzhi; Yang, Kejian; Li, Guiqiu; Li, Dechun; Zhao, Jia; Wang, Yonggang

2013-09-20

A solid-state green laser generating subnanosecond pulses with adjustable kilohertz repetition rate is presented. This pulse laser system is composed of a Q-switched and mode-locked YVO(4)/Nd:YVO(4)/KTP laser simultaneously modulated by an electro-optic (EO) modulator and a central semiconductor saturable absorption mirror. Because the repetition rate of the Q-switched envelope in this laser depends on the modulation frequency of the EO modulator, so long as the pulsewidth of the Q-switched envelope is shorter than the cavity roundtrip transmit time, i.e., the time interval of two neighboring mode-locking pulses, only one mode-locking pulse exists underneath a Q-switched envelope, resulting in the generation of subnanosecond pulses with kilohertz repetition rate. The experimental results show that the pulsewidth of subnanosecond pulses decreases with increasing pump power and the shortest pulse generated at 1 kHz was 450 ps with pulse energy as high as 252 μJ, corresponding to a peak power of 560 kW. In addition, this laser was confirmed to have high stability, and the pulse repetition rate could be freely adjusted from 1 to 4 kHz.

Development of solar concentrators for high-power solar-pumped lasers.

PubMed

Dinh, T H; Ohkubo, T; Yabe, T

2014-04-20

We have developed unique solar concentrators for solar-pumped solid-state lasers to improve both efficiency and laser output power. Natural sunlight is collected by a primary concentrator which is a 2  m×2  m Fresnel lens, and confined by a cone-shaped hybrid concentrator. Such solar power is coupled to a laser rod by a cylinder with coolant surrounding it that is called a liquid light-guide lens (LLGL). Performance of the cylindrical LLGL has been characterized analytically and experimentally. Since a 14 mm diameter LLGL generates efficient and uniform pumping along a Nd:YAG rod that is 6 mm in diameter and 100 mm in length, 120 W cw laser output is achieved with beam quality factor M2 of 137 and overall slope efficiency of 4.3%. The collection efficiency is 30.0  W/m2, which is 1.5 times larger than the previous record. The overall conversion efficiency is more than 3.2%, which can be comparable to a commercial lamp-pumped solid-state laser. The concept of the light-guide lens can be applied for concentrator photovoltaics or other solar energy optics.

Scope of Work for Integration Management and Installation Services of the National Ignition Facility Beampath Infrastructure System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coyle, P. D.

2000-03-01

The goal of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) project is to provide an above ground experimental capability for maintaining nuclear competence and weapons effects simulation and to provide a facility capable of achieving fusion ignition using solid-state lasers as the energy driver. The facility will incorporate 192 laser beams, which will be focused onto a small target located at the center of a spherical target chamber-the energy from the laser beams will be deposited in a few billionths of a second. The target will then implode, forcing atomic nuclei to sufficiently high temperatures and densities necessary to achieve a miniature fusion reaction. The NIF is under construction, at Livermore, California, located approximately 50 miles southeast of San Francisco, California. The University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operating under Prime Contract W-7405-ENG. 48 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), shall subcontract for Integration Management and Installation (IMI) Services for the Beampath Infrastructure System (BIS). The BIS includes Beampath Hardware and Beampath Utilities. Conventional Facilities work for the NIF Laser and Target Area Building (LTAB) and Optics Assembly Building (OAB) is over 86 percent constructed. This Scope of Work is for Integration Management and Installation (IMI) Services corresponding to Management Services, Design Integration Services, Construction Services, and Commissioning Services for the NIB BIS. The BIS includes Beampath Hardware and Beampath Utilities. Beampath Hardware and Beampath Utilities include beampath vessels, enclosures, and beam tubes; auxiliary and utility systems; and support structures. A substantial amount of GFE will be provided by the University for installation as part of the infrastructure packages.

Generation of shock waves and formation of craters in a solid material irradiated by a short laser pulse

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

Gus'kov, Sergei Yu; Borodziuk, S; Kasperczuk, A

2004-11-30

The results of investigations are presented which are concerned with laser radiation absorption in a target, the plasma state of its ablated material, the energy transfer to the solid target material, the characteristics of the shock wave and craters on the target surface. The investigation involved irradiation of a planar target by a subnanosecond plasma-producing laser pulse. The experiments were carried out with massive aluminium targets using the PALS iodine laser, whose pulse duration (0.4 ns) was much shorter than the shock wave attenuation and on-target crater formation times (50-200 ns). The investigations were conducted for a laser radiation energymore » of 100 J at two wavelengths of 0.438 and 1.315 {mu}m. For a given pulse energy, the irradiation intensity was varied in a broad range (10{sup 13}-10{sup 16} W cm{sup -2}) by varying the radius of the laser beam. The efficiency of laser radiation-to-shock energy transfer was determined as a function of the intensity and wavelength of laser radiation; also determined were the characteristics of the plasma plume and the shock wave propagating in the solid target, including the experimental conditions under which two-dimensional effects are highly significant. (invited paper)« less

Direct diode lasers with comparable beam quality to fiber, CO2, and solid state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Robin K.; Chann, Bien; Burgess, James; Kaiman, Michael; Overman, Robert; Glenn, John D.; Tayebati, Parviz

2012-03-01

TeraDiode has produced kW-class ultra-high brightness fiber-coupled direct diode lasers. A fiber-coupled direct diode laser with a power level of 2,040 W from a 50 μm core diameter, 0.15 numerical aperture (NA) output fiber at a single center wavelength was demonstrated. This was achieved with a novel beam combining and shaping technique using COTS diode lasers. The fiber-coupled output corresponds to a Beam Parameter Product (BPP) of 3.75 mm-mrad and is the lowest BPP kW-class direct diode laser yet reported. This laser is suitable for industrial materials processing applications, including sheet metal cutting and welding. This 2-kW fiber-coupled direct diode laser has comparable brightness to that of industrial fiber lasers and CO2 lasers, and is over 10x brighter than state-of-the-art direct diode lasers.

Remote sensing of atmospheric pressure and sea state using laser altimeters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gardner, C. S.

1985-01-01

Short-pulse multicolor laser ranging systems are currently being developed for satellite ranging applications. These systems use Q-switched pulsed lasers and streak-tube cameras to provide timing accuracies approaching a few picoseconds. Satellite laser ranging systems have been used to evaluate many important geophysical phenomena such as fault motion, polar motion and solid earth tides, by measuring the orbital perturbations of retroreflector equipped satellites. Some existing operational systems provide range resolution approaching a few millimeters. There is currently considerable interest in adapting these highly accurate systems for use as airborne and satellite based altimeters. Potential applications include the measurement of sea state, ground topography and atmospheric pressure. This paper reviews recent progress in the development of multicolor laser altimeters for use in monitoring sea state and atmospheric pressure.

Modeling combined heat transfer in an all solid state optical cryocooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzhiveli, Biju T.

2017-12-01

Attaining cooling effect by using laser induced anti-Stokes fluorescence in solids appears to have several advantages over conventional mechanical systems and has been the topic of recent analysis and experimental work. Using anti-Stokes fluorescence phenomenon to remove heat from a glass by pumping it with laser light, stands as a pronouncing physical basis for solid state cooling. Cryocooling by fluorescence is a feasible solution for obtaining compactness and reliability. It has a distinct niche in the family of small capacity cryocoolers and is undergoing a revolutionary advance. In pursuit of developing laser induced anti-Stokes fluorescent cryocooler, it is required to develop numerical tools that support the thermal design which could provide a thorough analysis of combined heat transfer mechanism within the cryocooler. The paper presents the details of numerical model developed for the cryocooler and the subsequent development of a computer program. The program has been used for the understanding of various heat transfer mechanisms and is being used for thermal design of components of an anti-Stokes fluorescent cryocooler.

Optical Characterization and 2,525 micron Lasing of Cr(2+):Cd(0.85)Mn(0.15)Te

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, V. R.; Wu, X.; Hoemmerich, U.; Trivedi, S. B.; Grasza, K.; Yu, Z.

1997-01-01

Transition metal doped solids are of significant current interest for the development of tunable solid-state lasers for the near and mid-infrared (1-4 pm) spectral region. Applications of these lasers include basic research in atomic, molecular, and solid-state physics, optical communication, medicine, and environmental studies of the atmosphere. In transition metal based laser materials, absorption and emission of light arises from electronic transitions between crystal field split energy levels of 3d transition metal ions. The optical spectra generally exhibit broad bands due to the strong interaction between dopant and host (electron-phonon coupling). Broad emission bands offer the prospect of tunable laser activity over a wide wavelength range, e.g. the tuning range of Ti:Sapphire extends from 700-1100 run. The only current transition metal laser operating in the mid-infrared wavelength region (1.8-2.4 micro-m) is CO(2+):MgF2, but its performance is severely limited due to strong nonradiative decay at room temperature. Based on lifetime data, the quantum efficiency is estimated to be less than 3 deg/0 11,21. In general, the probability for non-radiative decay via multi-phonon relaxation increases with decreasing energy gap between ground and excited state. Therefore, efficient transition metal lasers beyond -1.6 micro-m are rare. Recently, tunable laser activity around 2.3 micro-m was observed from Cr doped ZnS and ZnSe. The new lasing center in these materials was identified as Cr(2+) occupying the tetrahedral Zn site. Tetrahedrally coordinated optical centers are rather unusual among transition metal lasers. Their potential usefulness, however, has been demonstrated by the recent development of near infrared laser materials such as Cr:forsterite and Cr:YAG, which are based on tetrahedrally coordinated Cr(4+) ions. According to the Laporte selection rule, electric-dipole transition within the optically active 3d-electron shells are parity forbidden. However, a static acentric electric crystal field or the coupling of asymmetric phonons can force electric-dipole transitions by the admixture of wave functions with opposite parity. Tetrahedral sites lack inversion symmetry which provides the odd-parity field necessary to relax the parity selection rule. Therefore, high absorption and emission cross sections are observed. An enhanced radiative emission rate is also expected to reduce the detrimental effect of non-radiative decay. Motivated by the initial results on Cr doped ZnS and ZnSe, we have started a comprehensive effort to study Cr(2+) doped II-VI semiconductors for solid-state laser applications. In this paper we present the optical properties and the demonstration of mid-infrared lasing from Cr doped Cd(0.85)Mn(0.15)Te.

Diode pumped solid state kilohertz disk laser system for time-resolved combustion diagnostics under microgravity at the drop tower Bremen

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

Wagner, Volker; Paa, Wolfgang; Triebel, Wolfgang

We describe a specially designed diode pumped solid state laser system based on the disk laser architecture for combustion diagnostics under microgravity (μg) conditions at the drop tower in Bremen. The two-stage oscillator-amplifier-system provides an excellent beam profile (TEM{sub 00}) at narrowband operation (Δλ < 1 pm) and is tunable from 1018 nm to 1052 nm. The laser repetition rate of up to 4 kHz at pulse durations of 10 ns enables the tracking of processes on a millisecond time scale. Depending on the specific issue it is possible to convert the output radiation up to the fourth harmonic aroundmore » 257 nm. The very compact laser system is integrated in a slightly modified drop capsule and withstands decelerations of up to 50 g (>11 ms). At first the concept of the two-stage disk laser is briefly explained, followed by a detailed description of the disk laser adaption to the drop tower requirements with special focus on the intended use under μg conditions. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the capsule laser as a tool for μg combustion diagnostics, we finally present an investigation of the precursor-reactions before the droplet ignition using 2D imaging of the Laser Induced Fluorescence of formaldehyde.« less

Tetravalent Chromium (Cr(4+)) as Laser-Active Ion for Tunable Solid-State Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seas, A.; Petricevic, V.; Alfano, Robert R.

1993-01-01

During 10/31/92 - 3/31/93, the following summarizes our major accomplishments: (1) the self-mode-locked operation of the Cr:forsterite laser was achieved; (2) synchronous pumping was used to mode lock the forsterite laser resulting in picosecond pulses, which in turn provided the starting mechanism for self-mode-locking; and (3) the pulses generated had a FWHW of 105 fs and were tunable between 1230 - 1270 nm.

High Energy Laser on the Joint Strike Fighter: A Reality in 2025?

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-26

10 October 2006. 19. Siegman , A.E., Nemes, G., Serna, J. “How to (Maybe) Measure Laser Beam Quality,” in DPSS (Diode Pumped Solid State) Lasers ...AIR WAR COLLEGE AIR UNIVERSITY HIGH ENERGY LASER ON THE JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER A REALITY IN 2025? by Jeffrey A. Hausmann, Lt Col, USAF A...00-00-2007 to 00-00-2007 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE High Energy Laser on the Joint Strike Fighter a Reality in 2025? 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT

Tunable cw Single-Frequency Source for Injection Seeding 2-micrometer Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-01

Nd:glass Slab Asilomar, CA, January, 1989. Laser for X-ray Lithography ," presented at Lasers 11. R. L. Byer, "Solid State Lasers for Accelerator 89, New...Alumni Association (Stanford Club of M.K. Reed and R.L. Byer, "A Nd:glass Slab Connecticut), April, 1989. Laserfor X-ray Lithography ," to be...and R.L. Byer, "A Nd:Glass Slab asymmetric quantum wells," invited paper QWA1 Laser for Soft X-ray Lithography ", paper MB4, International Quantum

Demonstration of coherent addition of multiple gratings for high-energy chirped-pulse-amplified lasers.

PubMed

Kessler, Terrance J; Bunkenburg, Joachim; Huang, Hu; Kozlov, Alexei; Meyerhofer, David D

2004-03-15

Petawatt solid-state lasers require meter-sized gratings to reach multiple-kilojoule energy levels without laser-induced damage. As an alternative to large single gratings, we demonstrate that smaller, coherently added (tiled) gratings can be used for subpicosecond-pulse compression. A Fourier-transform-limited, 650-fs chirped-pulse-amplified laser pulse is maintained by replacing a single compression grating with a tiled-grating assembly. Grating tiling provides a means to scale the energy and irradiance of short-pulse lasers.

Quasi-CW Laser Diode Bar Life Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stephen, Mark A.; Krainak, Michael A.; Dallas, Joseph L.

1997-01-01

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is developing technology for satellite-based, high peak power, LIDAR transmitters requiring 3-5 years of reliable operation. Semi-conductor laser diodes provide high efficiency pumping of solid state lasers with the promise of long-lived, reliable operation. 100-watt quasi- CW laser diode bars have been baselined for the next generation laser altimeters. Multi-billion shot lifetimes are required. The authors have monitored the performance of several diodes for billions of shots and investigated operational modes for improving diode lifetime.

Polarization methods for diode laser excitation of solid state lasers

DOEpatents

Holtom, Gary R.

2008-11-25

A mode-locked laser employs a coupled-polarization scheme for efficient longitudinal pumping by reshaped laser diode bars. One or more dielectric polarizers are configured to reflect a pumping wavelength having a first polarization and to reflect a lasing wavelength having a second polarization. A Yb-doped gain medium can be used that absorbs light having a first polarization and emits light having a second polarization. Using such pumping with laser cavity dispersion control, pulse durations of less than 100 fs can be achieved.

Initial Results of Accelerated Stress Testing on Single-Channel and Multichannel Drivers: Solid-State Lighting Technology Area

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

None

This report is the first in a series of studies on accelerated stress testing (AST) of drivers used for SSL luminaires, such as downlights, troffers, and streetlights. A representative group of two-stage commercial driver products was exposed to an AST environment consisting of 75°C and 75% relative humidity (7575). These drivers were a mix of single-channel drivers (i.e., a single output current for one LED primary) and multichannel drivers (i.e., separate output currents for multiple LED primaries). This AST environment was chosen because previous testing on downlights with integrated drivers demonstrated that 38% of the sample population failed in lessmore » than 2,500 hours of testing using this method. In addition to AST test results, the performance of an SSL downlight product incorporating an integrated, multichannel driver during extended room temperature operational life (RTOL) testing is also reported. A battery of measurements was used to evaluate these products during accelerated testing, including full electrical characterization (i.e., power consumption, PF, total harmonic distortion [THD], and inrush current) and photometric characterization of external LED loads attached to the drivers (i.e., flicker performance and lumen maintenance).« less

First Solid-state Cooling Below 100K

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-13

Seth Melgaard, Denis Seletskiy, Alexander Albrecht, and Mansoor Sheik- Bahae Advances in material purity and laser light absorption offer new possi...all- solid-state cryocooler. Denis Seletskiy University of Konstanz Konstanz, Germany Alexander Albrecht and Mansoor Sheik- Bahae University of New...Unterschied von Lumineszenz- und Tem- peraturstrahlung, Z. Phys. 57, p. 739, 1929. 3. R. I . Epstein,M. I . Buchwald, B. C. Edwards, T. R. Gosnell, and

Bose-Einstein Condensates in 1D Optical Lattices: Nonlinearity and Wannier-Stark Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arimondo, Ennio; Ciampini, Donatella; Morsch, Oliver

The development of powerful laser cooling and trapping techniques has made possible the controlled realization of dense and cold gaseous samples, thus opening the way for investigations in the ultracold temperature regimes not accessible with conventional techniques. A Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) represents a peculiar gaseous state where all the particles reside in the same quantum mechanical state. Therefore BECs exhibit quantum mechanical phe-nomena on a macroscopic scale with a single quantum mechanical wavefunction describing the external degrees of freedom. That control of the external degrees of freedom is combined with a precise control of the internal degrees. The BEC investigation has become a very active area of research in contem-porary physics. The BEC study encompasses different subfields of physics, i.e., atomic and molecular physics, quantum optics, laser spectroscopy, solid state physics. Atomic physics and laser spectroscopy provide the methods for creating and manipulating the atomic and molecular BECs. However owing to the interactions between the particles composing the condensate and to the configuration of the external potential, concepts and methods from solid state physics are extensively used for BEC description.

Femtosecond Fiber Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bock, Katherine J.

This thesis focuses on research I have done on ytterbium-doped femtosecond fiber lasers. These lasers operate in the near infrared region, lasing at 1030 nm. This wavelength is particularly important in biomedical applications, which includes but is not limited to confocal microscopy and ablation for surgical incisions. Furthermore, fiber lasers are advantageous compared to solid state lasers in terms of their cost, form factor, and ease of use. Solid state lasers still dominate the market due to their comparatively high energy pulses. High energy pulse generation in fiber lasers is hindered by either optical wave breaking or by multipulsing. One of the main challenges for fiber lasers is to overcome these limitations to achieve high energy pulses. The motivation for the work done in this thesis is increasing the output pulse peak power and energy. The main idea of the work is that decreasing the nonlinearity that acts on the pulse inside the cavity will prevent optical wave breaking, and thus will generate higher energy pulses. By increasing the output energy, ytterbium-doped femtosecond fiber lasers can be competitive with solid state lasers which are used commonly in research. Although fiber lasers tend to lack the wavelength tuning ability of solid state lasers, many biomedical applications take advantage of the 1030 microm central wavelength of ytterbium-doped fiber lasers, so the major limiting factor of fiber lasers in this field is simply the output power. By increasing the output energy without resorting to external amplification, the cavity is optimized and cost can remain low and economical. During verification of the main idea, the cavity was examined for possible back-reflections and for components with narrow spectral bandwidths which may have contributed to the presence of multipulsing. Distinct cases of multipulsing, bound pulse and harmonic mode-locking, were observed and recorded as they may be of more interest in the future. The third-order dispersion contribution from the diffraction gratings inside the laser cavity was studied, as it was also considered to be an energy-limiting factor. No significant effect was found as a result of third-order dispersion; however, a region of operation was observed where two different pulse regimes were found at the same values of net cavity group velocity dispersion. Results verify the main idea and indicate that a long length of low-doped gain fiber is preferable to a shorter, more highly doped one. The low-doped fiber in an otherwise equivalent cavity allows the nonlinear phase shift to grow at a slower rate, which results in the pulse achieving a higher peak power before reaching the nonlinear phase shift threshold at which optical wave breaking occurs. For a range of net cavity group velocity dispersion values, the final result is that the low doped fiber generates pulses of approximately twice the value of energy of the highly-doped gain fiber. Two techniques of mode-locking cavities were investigated to achieve this result. The first cavity used NPE mode-locking which masked the results, and the second used a SESAM for mode-locking which gave clear results supporting the hypothesis.

Femtosecond Fiber Lasers Based on Dissipative Processes for Nonlinear Microscopy.

PubMed

Wise, Frank W

2012-01-01

Recent progress in the development of femtosecond-pulse fiber lasers with parameters appropriate for nonlinear microscopy is reviewed. Pulse-shaping in lasers with only normal-dispersion components is briefly described, and the performance of the resulting lasers is summarized. Fiber lasers based on the formation of dissipative solitons now offer performance competitive with that of solid-state lasers, but with the benefits of the fiber medium. Lasers based on self-similar pulse evolution in the gain section of a laser also offer a combination of short pulse duration and high pulse energy that will be attractive for applications in nonlinear bioimaging.

Design of diode-pumped solid-state laser applied in laser fuses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, FangLin; Zhang, YiFei

2005-04-01

The function of laser fuzes which are parts of certain weapon systems is to control the blasting height of warheads. Commonly the battle environment these weapon systems are confronted with is very complicated and the tactical demand for them is very rigor, so laser fuzes equipped for them must fulfill some special technical requirements, such as high repetition rate, long ranging scope, etc. Lasers are one of key components which constitute fuze systems. Whether designed lasers are advanced and reasonable will determine whether laser fuzes can be applied in these weapon systems or not. So we adopt the novel technology of diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) to design lasers applied in fuzes. Nd:YVO4 crystal is accepted as gain material, which has wide absorption band and large absorption efficient for 808nm pumping laser. As warhead's temperature is usually very high, wider absorption band is beneficial to reduce the influence of temperature fluctuation. Passive Q-switching with Cr4+:YAG is used to reduce the power consumption farthest. Design the end-pumped microchip sandwich-architecture to decrease lasers' size and increase the reliability, further it's advantageous to produce short pulses and increase peak power of lasers. The designed DPSSL features small size and weight, high repetition rate and peak power, robustness, etc. The repetition rate is expected to reach 1 kHz; peak power will exceed 300 kW; pulse width is only 5 ns; and divergence angle of laser beams is less than 5 mrad. So DPSSL is suitable for laser fuzes as an emitter.

Solid state amorphization of nanocrystalline nickel by cryogenic laser shock peening

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

Ye, Chang, E-mail: cye@uakron.edu; Ren, Zhencheng; Zhao, Jingyi

2015-10-07

In this study, complete solid state amorphization in nanocrystalline nickel has been achieved through cryogenic laser shock peening (CLSP). High resolution transmission electron microscopy has revealed the complete amorphous structure of the sample after CLSP processing. A molecular dynamic model has been used to investigate material behavior during the shock loading and the effects of nanoscale grain boundaries on the amorphization process. It has been found that the initial nanoscale grain boundaries increase the initial Gibbs free energy before plastic deformation and also serve as dislocation emission sources during plastic deformation to contribute to defect density increase, leading to themore » amorphization of pure nanocrystalline nickel.« less

Resonance ionization spectroscopy of sodium Rydberg levels using difference frequency generation of high-repetition-rate pulsed Ti:sapphire lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naubereit, P.; Marín-Sáez, J.; Schneider, F.; Hakimi, A.; Franzmann, M.; Kron, T.; Richter, S.; Wendt, K.

2016-05-01

The generation of tunable laser light in the green to orange spectral range has generally been a deficiency of solid-state lasers. Hence, the formalisms of difference frequency generation (DFG) and optical parametric processes are well known, but the DFG of pulsed solid-state lasers was rarely efficient enough for its use in resonance ionization spectroscopy. Difference frequency generation of high-repetition-rate Ti:sapphire lasers was demonstrated for resonance ionization of sodium by efficiently exciting the well-known D1 and D2 lines in the orange spectral range (both ≈589 nm). In order to prove the applicability of the laser system for its use at resonance ionization laser ion sources of radioactive ion beam facilities, the first ionization potential of Na was remeasured by three-step resonance ionization into Rydberg levels and investigating Rydberg convergences. A result of EIP=41449.455 (6) stat(7) syscm-1 was obtained, which is in perfect agreement with the literature value of EIPlit =41449.451(2)cm-1 . A total of 41 level positions for the odd-parity Rydberg series n f 2F5/2,7/2o for principal quantum numbers of 10 ≤n ≤60 were determined experimentally.

Lasers '81

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

Collins, C.B.

1982-01-01

Progress in lasers is discussed. The subjects addressed include: excimer lasers, surface spectroscopy, modern laser spectroscopy, free electron lasers, cavities and propagation, lasers in medicine, X-ray and gamma ray lasers, laser spectroscopy of small molecules and clusters, optical bistability, excitons, nonlinear optics in the X-ray and gamma ray regions, collective atomic phenomena, tunable IR lasers, far IR/submillimeter lasers, and laser-assisted collisions. Also treated are: special applications, multiphoton processes in atoms and small molecules, nuclear pumped lasers, material processing and applications, polarization, high energy lasers, laser chemistry, IR molecular lasers, laser applications of collision and dissociation phenomena, solid state laser materials,more » phase conjugation, advances in laser technology for fusion, metal vapor lasers, picosecond phenomena, laser ranging and geodesy, and laser photochemistry of complex molecules.« less

High-speed high-efficiency 500-W cw CO2 laser hermetization of metal frames of microelectronics devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, Andrey V.

1996-04-01

High-speed, efficient method of laser surface treatment has been developed using (500 W) cw CO2 laser. The principal advantages of CO2 laser surface treatment in comparison with solid state lasers are the basis of the method. It has been affirmed that high efficiency of welding was a consequence of the fundamental properties of metal-IR-radiation (10,6 mkm) interaction. CO2 laser hermetization of metal frames of microelectronic devices is described as an example of the proposed method application.

Lasers, their development, and applications at M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rediker, R. H.; Melngailis, I.; Mooradian, A.

1984-01-01

A historical account of the work on lasers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory is presented. Highlighted are the efforts that led to the coinvention of the semiconductor laser and the Laboratory's later role in establishing the feasibility of GaInAsP/InP semiconductor lasers for use in fiber telecommunications at 1.3-1.5 micron wavelengths. Descriptions of other important developments include tunable lead-salt semiconductor and solid-state lasers for spectroscopy and LIDAR applications, respectively, as well as ultrastable CO2 lasers for coherent infrared radar.

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.

Accessing ultrahigh-pressure, quasi-isentropic states of mattera)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenz, K. T.; Edwards, M. J.; Glendinning, S. G.; Jankowski, A. F.; McNaney, J.; Pollaine, S. M.; Remington, B. A.

2005-05-01

A new approach to the study of material strength of metals at extreme pressures has been developed on the Omega laser, using a ramped plasma piston drive. The laser drives a shock through a solid plastic reservoir that unloads at the rear free surface, expands across a vacuum gap, and stagnates on the metal sample under study. This produces a gently increasing ram pressure, compressing the sample nearly isentropically. The peak pressure on the sample, inferred from interferometric measurements of velocity, can be varied by adjusting the laser energy and pulse length, gap size, and reservoir density, and obeys a simple scaling relation [J. Edwards et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 075002 (2004)]. In an important application, using in-flight x-ray radiography, the material strength of solid-state samples at high pressure can be inferred by measuring the reductions in the growth rates (stabilization) of Rayleigh-Taylor unstable interfaces. This paper reports the first attempt to use this new laser-driven, quasi-isentropic technique for determining material strength in high-pressure solids. Modulated foils of Al-6061-T6 were accelerated and compressed to peak pressures of ˜200kbar. Modulation growth was recorded at a series of times after peak acceleration and well into the release phase. Fits to the growth data, using a Steinberg-Guinan constitutive strength model, give yield strengths 38% greater than those given by the nominal parameters for Al-6061-T6. Calculations indicate that the dynamic enhancement to the yield strength at ˜200kbar is a factor of ˜3.6× over the ambient yield strength of 2.9kbar. Experimental designs based on this drive developed for the National Ignition Facility laser [W. Hogan, E. Moses, B. Warner, M. Sorem, and J. Soures, Nuclear Fusion 41, 567 (2001)] predict that solid-state samples can be quasi-isentropically driven to pressures an order of magnitude higher than on Omega, accessing new regimes of dense, high-pressure matter.

Direct growth of graphene on quartz substrate as saturable absorber for femtosecond solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, S. C.; Man, B. Y.; Jiang, S. Z.; Chen, C. S.; Liu, M.; Yang, C.; Gao, S. B.; Feng, D. J.; Hu, G. D.; Huang, Q. J.; Chen, X. F.; Zhang, C.

2014-08-01

We present a novel method for the direct metal-free growth of graphene on quartz substrate. The direct-grown graphene yields excellent nonlinear saturable absorption properties and is demonstrated to be suitable as a saturable absorber (SA) for an ultrafast solid-state laser. Nearly Fourier-limited 367 fs was obtained at a central wavelength of 1048 nm with a repetition rate of 105.7 MHz. At a pump power of 7.95 W, the average output power was 1.93 W and the highest pulse energy reached 18.3 nJ, with a peak power of 49.8 kW. Our work opens an easy route for making a reliable graphene SA with a mode-locking technique and also displays an exciting prospect in making low-cost and ultrafast lasers.

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.

On the feasibility of a fiber-based inertial fusion laser driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labaune, C.; Hulin, D.; Galvanauskas, A.; Mourou, G. A.

2008-08-01

One critical issue for the realization of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) power plants is the driver efficiency. High driver efficiency will greatly relax the driver energy requested to produce a fusion gain, resulting in more compact and less costly facilities. Among lasers, systems based on guided wave such as diode pumped Yb:glass fiber-amplifiers with a demonstrated overall efficiency close to 70% as opposed to few percents for systems based on free propagation, offer some intriguing opportunities. Guided optics provides the enormous advantage to directly benefit from the telecommunication industry where components are made cheap, rugged, well tested, environmentally stable, with lifetimes measured in tens of years and compatible with massive manufacturing. In this paper, we are studying the possibility to design a laser driver solely based on guided wave optics. We call this concept FAN for Fiber Amplification Network. It represents a profound departure from already proposed laser drivers all based on free propagation optics. The system will use a large number of identical fibers to combines long (ns) and short (ps) pulses that are needed for the fast ignition scheme. Technical details are discussed relative to fiber type, pump, phasing, pulse shaping and timing as well as fiber distribution around the chamber. The proposed fiber driver provides maximum and independent control on the wavefront, pulse duration, pulse shape, timing, making possible reaching the highest gain. The massive manufacturing will be amenable to a cheaper facility with an easy upkeep.

The selective and efficient laser ion source and trap project LIST for on-line production of exotic nuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wendt, Klaus; Gottwald, Tina; Hanstorp, Dag; Mattolat, Christoph; Raeder, Sebastian; Rothe, Sebastian; Schwellnus, Fabio; Havener, Charles; Lassen, Jens; Liu, Yuan

2010-02-01

Laser ion sources based on resonant excitation and ionization of atoms are well-established tools for selective and efficient production of radioactive ion beams. A recent trend is the complementary installation of reliable state-of-the-art all solid-state Ti:Sapphire laser systems. To date, 35 elements of the Periodic Table are available at laser ion sources by using these novel laser systems, which complements the overall accessibility to 54 elements including use of traditional dye lasers. Recent progress in the field concerns the identification of suitable optical excitation schemes for Ti:Sapphire laser excitation as well as technical developments of the source in respect to geometry, cavity material as well as by incorporation of an ion guide system in the form of the laser ion source trap LIST.

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.

Bibliography of Soviet Laser Developments, Number 89, May-June 1987

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-20

RESEARCH A. Solid State Lasers 1. Crystal a. Miscellaneous ....................... 1 b . Ruby --- c. LiF ................................ 2 2. Rare Earth a...Miscellaneous ....................... 2 b . Nd3+ . ............................... 3 C. Er3+ . ............................... 3 d. Ho3...3 e Tm3+ ---................ 3. Semiconductor a. Theory ............................. 4 b . Miscellaneous Homojunction ...... 4 c

Full System Operations of Mercury: A Diode Pumped Solid-State Laser

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

Bibeau, C.; Bayramian, A.J.; Armstrong, P.

Operation of the Mercury laser with two amplifiers has yielded 30 Joules at 1 Hz and 12 Joules at 10 Hz with over 8x10{sup 4} shots on the system. Static distortions in the Yb:S-FAP amplifiers were corrected by a magneto-rheological finishing technique.

Full System Operations of Mercury; A Diode-Pumped Solid-State Laser

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

Bayramian, A J; Armstrong, P; Beach, R J

Operation of the Mercury laser with two amplifiers activated has yielded 30 Joules at 1 Hz and 12 Joules at 10 Hz and over 8 x 10{sup 4} shots on the system. Static distortions in the Yb:S-FAP amplifiers were corrected by magneto rheological finishing technique.

Integrated Electro-optical Laser-Beam Scanners

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boord, Warren T.

1990-01-01

Scanners using solid-state devices compact, consume little power, and have no moving parts. Integrated electro-optical laser scanner, in conjunction with external lens, points outgoing beam of light in any number of different directions, depending on number of upper electrodes. Offers beam-deflection angles larger than those of acousto-optic scanners. Proposed for such diverse applications as nonimpact laser printing, color imaging, ranging, barcode reading, and robotic vision.

Growth and Evaluation of Nonlinear Optical Crystals for Laser Applications: Lithium Borate, Barium Borate and Silver Gallium Selenide.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-12-08

communication 2. S. A. Kutovi, V. V. Laptev and S. Yu. Matsnev, " Lanthanum scandoborate as a new highly efficient active medium of solid state lasers," Sov. J...34Noncritical detection of tunable C02 laser radiation into green by upconversion in silver thio- gallate ," Applied Physics B53, 19 (1991). 3. N.-H

Turnable Blue-Green LIDAR Transmitter Demonstration: Injection Laser Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-08-30

5-1 5.2 Baseline Requirements ............................................. 5-1 5.3 Optical Parametric Oscillator Using Beta Barium Borate... optical parametric oscillators , and organic dye lasers. Tunable solid state lasers such as Ti: sapphire operate in the infrared and would have to be...The same is true of I frequency mixing schemes. Optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are attractive because of their extremely wide potential tuning

Status of the laser ion source at IMP

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

Sha, S.; Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049; School of Nuclear science and technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 73000

2012-02-15

A laser (Nd:YAG laser, 3 J, 1064 nm, 8-10 ns) ion source has been built and under development at IMP to provide pulsed high-charge-state heavy ion beams to a radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) for upgrading the IMP accelerators with a new low-energy beam injector. The laser ion source currently operates in a direct plasma injection scheme to inject the high charge state ions produced from a solid target into the RFQ. The maximum power density on the target was about 8.4 x 10{sup 12} W/cm{sup 2}. The preliminary experimental results will be presented and discussed in this paper.

Intermittent operation of QC-lasers for mid-IR spectroscopy with low heat dissipation: tuning characteristics and driving electronics.

PubMed

Fischer, M; Tuzson, B; Hugi, A; Brönnimann, R; Kunz, A; Blaser, S; Rochat, M; Landry, O; Müller, A; Emmenegger, L

2014-03-24

Intermittent scanning for continuous-wave quantum cascade lasers is proposed along with a custom-built laser driver optimized for such operation. This approach lowers the overall heat dissipation of the laser by dropping its drive current to zero between individual scans and holding a longer pause between scans. This allows packaging cw-QCLs in TO–3 housings with built-in collimating optics, thus reducing cost and footprint of the device. The fully integrated, largely analog, yet flexible laser driver eliminates the need for any external electronics for current modulation, lowers the demands on power supply performance, and allows shaping of the tuning current in a wide range. Optimized ramp shape selection leads to large and nearly linear frequency tuning (>1.5 cm−1). Experimental characterization of the proposed scheme with a QCL emitting at 7.7 μm gave a frequency stability of 3.2×10−5 cm−1 for the laser emission, while a temperature dependence of 2.3×10−4 cm−1/K was observed when the driver electronics was exposed to sudden temperature changes. We show that these characteristics make the driver suitable for high precision trace gas measurements by analyzing methane absorption lines in the respective spectral region.

100 Years of the Physics of Diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luginsland, John

2013-10-01

The Child-Langmuir Law (CL), discovered 100 years ago, gives the maximum current that can be transported across a planar diode in the steady state. As a quintessential example of the impact of space-charge shielding near a charged surface, it is central to the studies of high current diodes, such as high power microwave sources, vacuum microelectronics, electron and ion sources, and high current drivers used in high-energy density physics experiments. CL remains a touchstone of fundamental sheath physics, including contemporary studies of nano-scale quantum diodes and plasmonic devices. Its solid state analog is the Mott-Gurney law, governing the maximum charge injection in solids, such as organic materials and other dielectrics, which is important to energy devices, such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes. This paper reviews the important advances in the physics of diodes since the discovery of CL, including virtual cathode formation and extension of CL to multiple dimensions, to the quantum regime, and to ultrafast processes. We will review the influence of magnetic fields, multiple species in bipolar flow, electromagnetic and time dependent effects in both short pulse and high frequency THz limits, and single electron regimes. Transitions from various emission mechanisms (thermionic, field, and photo-emission) to the space charge limited state (CL) will be addressed, especially highlighting important simulation and experimental developments in selected contemporary areas of study. This talk will stress the fundamental physical links between the physics of beams to limiting currents in other areas, such as low temperature plasmas, laser plasmas, and space propulsion. Also emphasized is the role of non-equilibrium phenomena associated with materials and plasmas in close contact. Work supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Sub-nanosecond lasers for cosmetics and dermatology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarasov, Aleksandr A.; Chu, Hong

2018-02-01

We report about the development of two new subnanosecond solid-state laser models for application in dermatology and cosmetics. One model uses subnanosecond Nd: YAG microchip laser as a master oscillator and includes Nd: YAG double- and single-pass amplifiers. At 10 Hz this laser produces more than 600 mJ pulse energy with duration 500 +/- 5 ps. Another model (under development) is gain-switched Ti: Sapphire laser with short cavity. This laser produces 200 mJ, 560 ps pulses at 790 nm and uses standard Q-Switched Nd: YAG laser with nanosecond pulse duration as a pumping sourse.

Method for laser spot welding monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manassero, Giorgio

1994-09-01

As more powerful solid state laser sources appear on the market, new applications become technically possible and important from the economical point of view. For every process a preliminary optimization phase is necessary. The main parameters, used for a welding application by a high power Nd-YAG laser, are: pulse energy, pulse width, repetition rate and process duration or speed. In this paper an experimental methodology, for the development of an electrooptical laser spot welding monitoring system, is presented. The electromagnetic emission from the molten pool was observed and measured with appropriate sensors. The statistical method `Parameter Design' was used to obtain an accurate analysis of the process parameter that influence process results. A laser station with a solid state laser coupled to an optical fiber (1 mm in diameter) was utilized for the welding tests. The main material used for the experimental plan was zinc coated steel sheet 0.8 mm thick. This material and the related spot welding technique are extensively used in the automotive industry, therefore, the introduction of laser technology in production line will improve the quality of the final product. A correlation, between sensor signals and `through or not through' welds, was assessed. The investigation has furthermore shown the necessity, for the modern laser production systems, to use multisensor heads for process monitoring or control with more advanced signal elaboration procedures.

Acousto-optic modulation in diode pumped solid state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jabczynski, Jan K.; Zendzian, Waldemar; Kwiatkowski, Jacek

2007-02-01

The main properties of acousto-optic modulators (AOM) applied in laser technology are presented and discussed in the paper. The critical review of application of AOMs in several types of diode pumped solid state lasers (DPSSL) is given. The short description of few DPSSLs developed in our group is presented in the following chapters of the paper. The parameters of a simple AO-Q-switched Nd:YVO 4 laser (peak power up to 60 kW, pulse duration of 5-15 ns, repetition rate in the range 10-100 kHz, with average power above 5 W) are satisfactory for different application as follows: higher harmonic generation, pumping of 'eye-safe' OPOs etc. The achieved brightness of 10 17 W/m2/srd is comparable to the strongest technological Q-switched lasers of kW class of average power. The main aim of paper is to present novel type of lasers with acousto-optic modulation namely: AO-q-switched and mode locked (AO-QML) lasers. We have designed the 3.69-m long Z-type resonator of the frequency matched to the RF frequency of AOM. As a gain medium the Nd:YVO 4 crystal end pumped by 20 W laser diode was applied. The energy of envelope of QML pulse train was up to 130 μJ with sub-nanosecond mode locked pulse of maximum 30-μJ energy.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1989-01-20

This photograph shows a static firing test of the Solid Rocket Qualification Motor-8 (QM-8) at the Morton Thiokol Test Site in Wasatch, Utah. The twin solid rocket boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds, augmenting the Shuttle's main propulsion system during liftoff. The major design drivers for the solid rocket motors (SRM's) were high thrust and reuse. The desired thrust was achieved by using state-of-the-art solid propellant and by using a long cylindrical motor with a specific core design that allows the propellant to burn in a carefully controlled marner. Under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the SRM's are provided by the Morton Thiokol Corporation.

Advanced Solid-State Lasers/Compact Blue-Green Lasers. 1993 Technical Digest Series. Volume 2. Organization of the 1993 Photonics Science Topical Meetings held in New Orleans, Louisiana on 1 - 4 February 1993

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-02-04

memories is presented. (p. 400) JWC2 Pairwlse visible to UV up- tions. Periodic domain-inverted structure has conversion In Ho=÷ and Tm’" doped potential...Sydney. Nd:W. aM5itoL 40 1A 18 led &: 400 1C ID •:•• •e,,,- • ,, Figure 1; Geometries for solid collectors with 1, 2 or 3 pump sources. Figure 2...Although the output efficiencies of early devices were quite low, resonant enhancement of the signal input inside the laser cavity has recently led to

Simultaneous manipulation and observation of multiple ro-vibrational eigenstates in solid para-hydrogen.

PubMed

Katsuki, Hiroyuki; Ohmori, Kenji

2016-09-28

We have experimentally performed the coherent control of delocalized ro-vibrational wave packets (RVWs) of solid para-hydrogen (p-H 2 ) by the wave packet interferometry (WPI) combined with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). RVWs of solid p-H 2 are delocalized in the crystal, and the wave function with wave vector k ∼ 0 is selectively excited via the stimulated Raman process. We have excited the RVW twice by a pair of femtosecond laser pulses with delay controlled by a stabilized Michelson interferometer. Using a broad-band laser pulse, multiple ro-vibrational states can be excited simultaneously. We have observed the time-dependent Ramsey fringe spectra as a function of the inter-pulse delay by a spectrally resolved CARS technique using a narrow-band probe pulse, resolving the different intermediate states. Due to the different fringe oscillation periods among those intermediate states, we can manipulate their amplitude ratio by tuning the inter-pulse delay on the sub-femtosecond time scale. The state-selective manipulation and detection of the CARS signal combined with the WPI is a general and efficient protocol for the control of the interference of multiple quantum states in various quantum systems.

International Conference on Vacuum Ultraviolet Radiation Physics, 8th, Lunds Universitet, Sweden, Aug. 4-8, 1986, Proceedings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nilsson, Per-Olof (Editor); Nordgren, Joseph (Editor)

1987-01-01

The interactions of VUV radiation with solids are explored in reviews and reports of recent theoretical and experimental investigations from the fields of atomic and molecular physics, solid-state physics, and VUV instrumentation. Topics examined include photoabsorption and photoionization, multiphoton processes, plasma physics, VUV lasers, time-resolved spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation centers, solid-state spectroscopy, and dynamical processes involving localized levels. Consideration is given to the fundamental principles of photoemission, spin-polarized photoemission, inverse photoemission, semiconductors, organic materials, and adsorbates.

Progress in high duty cycle, highly efficient fiber coupled 940-nm pump modules for high-energy class solid-state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Platz, R.; Frevert, C.; Eppich, B.; Rieprich, J.; Ginolas, A.; Kreutzmann, S.; Knigge, S.; Erbert, G.; Crump, P.

2018-03-01

Diode lasers pump sources for future high-energy-class laser systems based on Yb-doped solid state amplifiers must deliver high optical intensities, high conversion efficiency (ηE = > 50%) at high repetition rates (f = 100 Hz) and long pulse widths (τ = 0.5…2 ms). Over the last decade, a series of pump modules has been developed at the Ferdinand-BraunInstitut to address these needs. The latest modules use novel wide-aperture single emitter diode lasers in passively side cooled stacks, operate at τ = 1 ms, f = 100…200 Hz and deliver 5…6 kW optical output power from a fiber with 1.9 mm core diameter and NA of 0.22, for spatial brightness BΩ > 1 MW/cm2 sr. The performance to date and latest developments in these high brightness modules are summarized here with recent work focusing on extending operation to other pumping conditions, as needed for alternative solid state laser designs. Specifically, the electro-optic, spectral and beam propagation characteristics of the module and its components are studied as a function of τ for a fixed duty cycle DC = 10% for τ = 1...100 ms, and first data is shown for continuous wave operation. Clear potential is seen to fulfill more demanding specifications without design changes. For example, high power long-pulse operation is demonstrated, with a power of > 5 kW at τ = 100 ms. Higher brightness operation is also confirmed at DC = 10% and τ = 1 ms, with > 5 kW delivered in a beam with BΩ > 4 MW/cm2 sr.

Solar Pumped Solid State Lasers for Space Solar Power: Experimental Path

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fork, Richard L.; Carrington, Connie K.; Walker, Wesley W.; Cole, Spencer T.; Green, Jason J. A.; Laycock, Rustin L.

2003-01-01

We outline an experimentally based strategy designed to lead to solar pumped solid state laser oscillators useful for space solar power. Our method involves solar pumping a novel solid state gain element specifically designed to provide efficient conversion of sunlight in space to coherent laser light. Kilowatt and higher average power is sought from each gain element. Multiple such modular gain elements can be used to accumulate total average power of interest for power beaming in space, e.g., 100 kilowatts and more. Where desirable the high average power can also be produced as a train of pulses having high peak power (e.g., greater than 10(exp 10 watts). The modular nature of the basic gain element supports an experimental strategy in which the core technology can be validated by experiments on a single gain element. We propose to do this experimental validation both in terrestrial locations and also on a smaller scale in space. We describe a terrestrial experiment that includes diagnostics and the option of locating the laser beam path in vacuum environment. We describe a space based experiment designed to be compatible with the Japanese Experimental Module (JEM) on the International Space Station (ISS). We anticipate the gain elements will be based on low temperature (approx. 100 degrees Kelvin) operation of high thermal conductivity (k approx. 100 W/cm-K) diamond and sapphire (k approx. 4 W/cm-K). The basic gain element will be formed by sequences of thin alternating layers of diamond and Ti:sapphire with special attention given to the material interfaces. We anticipate this strategy will lead to a particularly simple, robust, and easily maintained low mass modelocked multi-element laser oscillator useful for space solar power.

NASA direct detection laser diode driver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seery, B. D.; Hornbuckle, C. A.

1989-01-01

TRW has developed a prototype driver circuit for GaAs laser diodes as part of the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center's Direct Detection Laser Transceiver (DDLT) program. The circuit is designed to drive the laser diode over a range of user-selectable data rates from 1.7 to 220 Mbps, Manchester-encoded, while ensuring compatibility with 8-bit and quaternary pulse position modulation (QPPM) formats for simulating deep space communications. The resulting hybrid circuit has demonstrated 10 to 90 percent rise and fall times of less than 300 ps at peak currents exceeding 100 mA.

Increasing Laser Stability with Improved Electronic Instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Troxel, Daylin; Bennett, Aaron; Erickson, Christopher J.; Jones, Tyler; Durfee, Dallin S.

2010-03-01

We present several electronic instruments developed to implement an ultra-stable laser lock. These instruments include a high speed, low noise homodyne photo-detector; an ultrahigh stability, low noise current driver with high modulation bandwidth and digital control; a high-speed, low noise PID controller; a low-noise piezo driver; and a laser diode temperature controller. We will present the theory of operation for these instruments, design and construction techniques, and essential characteristics for each device.

Defence and security applications of quantum cascade lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grasso, Robert J.

2016-09-01

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) have seen tremendous recent application in the realm of Defence and Security. And, in many instances replacing traditional solid state lasers as the source of choice for Countermeasures, Remote Sensing, In-situ Sensing, Through-Barrier Sensing, and many others. Following their development and demonstration in the early 1990's, QCL's reached some maturity and specific defence and security application prior to 2005; with much initial development fostered by DARPA initiatives in the US, dstl, MoD, and EOARD funding initiatives in the UK, and University level R&D such as those by Prof Manijeh Razeghi at Northwestern University [1], and Prof Ted Masselink at Humboldt University [2]. As QCL's provide direct mid-IR laser output for electrical input, they demonstrate high quantum efficiency compared with diode pumped solid state lasers with optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) to generate mid-Infrared output. One particular advantage of QCL's is their very broad operational bandwidth, extending from the terahertz to the near-infrared spectral regions. Defence and Security areas benefiting from QCL's include: Countermeasures, Remote Sensing, Through-the-Wall Sensing, and Explosive Detection. All information used to construct this paper obtained from open sources.

Six-color solid state illuminator for cinema projector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Junejei; Wang, Yuchang

2014-09-01

Light source for cinema projector requires reliability, high brightness, good color and 3D for without silver screens. To meet these requirements, a laser-phosphor based solid state illuminator with 6 primary colors is proposed. The six primary colors are divided into two groups and include colors of R1, R2, G1, G2, B1 and B2. Colors of B1, B2 and R2 come from lasers of wavelengths 440 nm, 465 nm and 639 nm. Color of G1 comes from G-phosphor pumped by B2 laser. Colors of G2 and R1 come from Y-phosphor pumped by B1 laser. Two groups of colors are combined by a multiband filter and working by alternately switching B1 and B2 lasers. The combined two sequences of three colors are sent to the 3-chip cinema projector and synchronized with frame rate of 120Hz. In 2D mode, the resulting 6 primary colors provide a very wide color gamut. In 3D mode, two groups of red, green and blue primary colors provide two groups of images that received by left and right eyes.

Femtosecond Fiber Lasers Based on Dissipative Processes for Nonlinear Microscopy

PubMed Central

Wise, Frank W.

2012-01-01

Recent progress in the development of femtosecond-pulse fiber lasers with parameters appropriate for nonlinear microscopy is reviewed. Pulse-shaping in lasers with only normal-dispersion components is briefly described, and the performance of the resulting lasers is summarized. Fiber lasers based on the formation of dissipative solitons now offer performance competitive with that of solid-state lasers, but with the benefits of the fiber medium. Lasers based on self-similar pulse evolution in the gain section of a laser also offer a combination of short pulse duration and high pulse energy that will be attractive for applications in nonlinear bioimaging. PMID:23869163

High-power diode-side-pumped rod Tm:YAG laser at 2.07 μm.

PubMed

Wang, Caili; Niu, Yanxiong; Du, Shifeng; Zhang, Chao; Wang, Zhichao; Li, Fangqin; Xu, Jialin; Bo, Yong; Peng, Qinjun; Cui, Dafu; Zhang, Jingyuan; Xu, Zuyan

2013-11-01

We report a high-power diode-laser (LD) side-pumped rod Tm:YAG laser of around 2 μm. The laser was water-cooled at 8°C and yielded a maximum output power of 267 W at 2.07 μm, which is the highest output power for an all solid-state cw 2.07 μm rod Tm:YAG laser reported as far as we know. The corresponding optical-optical conversion efficiency was 20.7%, and the slope efficiency was about 29.8%, respectively.

Laser system using regenerative amplifier

DOEpatents

Emmett, John L. [Pleasanton, CA

1980-03-04

High energy laser system using a regenerative amplifier, which relaxes all constraints on laser components other than the intrinsic damage level of matter, so as to enable use of available laser system components. This can be accomplished by use of segmented components, spatial filters, at least one amplifier using solid state or gaseous media, and separated reflector members providing a long round trip time through the regenerative cavity, thereby allowing slower switching and adequate time to clear the spatial filters, etc. The laser system simplifies component requirements and reduces component cost while providing high energy output.

High Average Power Diode Pumped Solid State Lasers: Power Scaling With High Spectral and Spatial Coherence

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-30

seeded with 15 W of single-frequency laser light at 1064 nm and cladding -pumped of 700 W in the forward direction and 300 W in the opposite direction...57-W single-mode phosphate fiber laser Our early studies of phosphate fiber lasers taught us that adding an air-hole to the inner cladding and... cladding -pumped with a fiber-coupled laser diode at 977 nm through a dichroic beam splitter placed on the OC side. The fiber ends were cooled using the

Face pumping of thin, solid-state slab lasers with laser diodes.

PubMed

Faulstich, A; Baker, H J; Hall, D R

1996-04-15

A new technique for face pumping of slab lasers uses transfer of light from 10 quasi-cw laser diode bars through a slotted mirror into a rectangular, highly ref lective pump chamber, giving efficient multipass pumping of a thin Nd:glass slab laser. A slope efficiency of 28% and a maximum pulse energy of 65 mJ have been obtained, and gain and loss measurements with thickness t = 0.45-1.04 mm have confirmed the 1/t scaling of gain in thin slabs and the high efficiency of pump light transfer.

Spaceborne Photonics Institute

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venable, D. D.; Farrukh, U. O.; Han, K. S.; Hwang, I. H.; Jalufka, N. W.; Lowe, C. W.; Tabibi, B. M.; Lee, C. J.; Lyons, D.; Maclin, A.

1994-01-01

This report describes in chronological detail the development of the Spaceborne Photonics Institute as a sustained research effort at Hampton University in the area of optical physics. This provided the research expertise to initiate a PhD program in Physics. Research was carried out in the areas of: (1) modelling of spaceborne solid state laser systems; (2) amplified spontaneous emission in solar pumped iodine lasers; (3) closely simulated AM0 CW solar pumped iodine laser and repeatedly short pulsed iodine laser oscillator; (4) a materials spectroscopy and growth program; and (5) laser induced fluorescence and atomic and molecular spectroscopy.

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

Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy for astronomical purposes. [laser applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townes, C. H.

1978-01-01

Heterodyne infrared astronomy was carried out using CO2 lasers and some solid state tunable lasers. The best available detectors are mercury cadmium telluride photodiodes. Their quantum efficiencies reach values near 0.5 and in an overall system an effective quantum efficiency, taking into account optical losses and amplifier noise, of about 0.25 was demonstrated. Initial uses of 10 micron heterodyne spectroscopy were for the study of planetary molecular spectra.

Silicon-Chip-Based Optical Frequency Combs

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-26

waveform generation, frequency metrology, and astronomical spectrograph calibration [2,3,4]. Traditionally, modelocked solid-state and fiber lasers have...different external-cavity diode lasers covering a total tuning range between 1450 nm and 1640 nm. Lensed fibers are used to couple into and out of the...cavity resonance of a Si3N4 microring resonator with a single-frequency tunable diode laser amplified by a ytterbium-doped fiber amplifier. We use a

Direct ink write fabrication of transparent ceramic gain media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Ivy Krystal; Seeley, Zachary M.; Cherepy, Nerine J.; Duoss, Eric B.; Payne, Stephen A.

2018-01-01

Solid-state laser gain media based on the garnet structure with two spatially distinct but optically contiguous regions have been fabricated. Transparent gain media comprised of a central core of Y2.97Nd0.03Al5.00O12.00 (Nd:YAG) and an undoped cladding region of Y3Al5O12 (YAG) were fabricated by direct ink write and transparent ceramic processing. Direct ink write (DIW) was employed to form the green body, offering a general route to preparing functionally structured solid-state laser gain media. Fully-dense transparent optical ceramics in a "top hat" geometry with YAG/Nd:YAG have been fabricated by DIW methods with optical scatter at 1064 nm of <3%/cm.

High average power diode pumped solid state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yue; Wang, Yanjie; Chan, Amy; Dawson, Murray; Greene, Ben

2017-03-01

A new generation of high average power pulsed multi-joule solid state laser system has been developed at EOS Space Systems for various space related tracking applications. It is a completely diode pumped, fully automated multi-stage system consisting of a pulsed single longitudinal mode oscillator, three stages of pre-amplifiers, two stages of power amplifiers, completely sealed phase conjugate mirror or stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) cell and imaging relay optics with spatial filters in vacuum cells. It is capable of generating pulse energy up to 4.7 J, a beam quality M 2 ~ 3, pulse width between 10-20 ns, and a pulse repetition rate between 100-200 Hz. The system has been in service for more than two years with excellent performance and reliability.

Structure Optimization of 21,23-Core-Modified Porphyrins Absorbing Long-Wavelength Light as Potential Photosensitizers Against Breast Cancer Cells

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-04-01

recording singlet oxygen emission spectra. A diode -pumped solid-state laser (Millenia X, Spectra-Physics) at 532 nm was the excitation source. The sample...biological properties in vitro Youngjae You,a,* Scott L. Gibsonb and Michael R. Dettya aInstitute for Lasers , Photonics, and Biophotonics, Department...relative to the exciting laser beam. An additional long-pass filter (850LP) was used to attenuate the excitation laser and the fluorescence from the

Evidence of dissipative solitons in Yb³⁺:CaYAlO₄.

PubMed

Tan, W D; Tang, D Y; Xu, C W; Zhang, J; Xu, X D; Li, D Z; Xu, J

2011-09-12

Operation of an end-pumped Yb³⁺:CaYAlO₄ laser operating in the positive dispersion regime is experimentally investigated. The laser emitted strongly chirped pulses with extremely steep spectral edges, resembling the characteristics of dissipative solitons observed in fiber lasers. The results show that dissipative soliton emission constitutes another operating regime for mode locked Yb³⁺-doped solid state lasers, which can be explored for the generation of stable large energy femtosecond pulses.

Gain media edge treatment to suppress amplified spontaneous emission in a high power laser

DOEpatents

Hackel, Lloyd A [Livermore, CA; Soules, Thomas F [Livermore, CA; Fochs, Scott N [Livermore, CA; Rotter, Mark D [San Ramon, CA; Letts, Stephan A [San Ramon, CA

2011-02-22

A novel method and apparatus for suppressing ASE and/or parasitic oscillation modes in a laser is introduced. By roughening one or more peripheral edges of a solid-state crystal or ceramic laser gain media and by bonding such edges to a predetermined electromagnetic absorbing material arranged adjacent to the entire outer surface of the peripheral edges of the roughened laser gain media, ASE, parasitic oscillation modes and/or residual pump energy can be effectively suppressed.

Next generation laser for Inertial Confinement Fusion

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

Marshall, C.D.; Beach, J.; Bibeau, C.

1997-07-18

We are in the process of developing and building the ``Mercury`` laser system as the first in a series of a new generation of diode-pumped solid-state Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) lasers at LLNL. Mercury will be the first integrated demonstration of a scalable laser architecture compatible with advanced high energy density (HED) physics applications. Primary performance goals include 10% efficiencies at 10 Hz and a 1-10 ns pulse with 1{omega} energies of 100 J and with 2{omega}/3{omega} frequency conversion.

Investigations of YAG:Er(3+),Yb(3+) and YAG:Co(2+) Crystals for Laser Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

incident laser radiation wavelength of 1535 nm obtained for YAG:Co2÷ sample of initial transmission of 24.9%. As it can be seen from the presented...longitudinally pumped microlasers generating at 1535 tnm made of YAG:Er3 + ,Ylb3 + were carried out. A schematic of the laser cavity is shown in Fig. 4. The...I 17, Bellingham, Washington, 1995. 3. R. Fluck, U. Keller, E. Gini, H. Melchior, Eyesafe pulsed microchip laser , OSA TOPS Advanced Solid State

Recent Advances in Fiber Lasers for Nonlinear Microscopy

PubMed Central

Xu, C.; Wise, F. W.

2013-01-01

Nonlinear microscopy techniques developed over the past two decades have provided dramatic new capabilities for biological imaging. The initial demonstrations of nonlinear microscopies coincided with the development of solid-state femtosecond lasers, which continue to dominate applications of nonlinear microscopy. Fiber lasers offer attractive features for biological and biomedical imaging, and recent advances are leading to high-performance sources with the potential for robust, inexpensive, integrated instruments. This article discusses recent advances, and identifies challenges and opportunities for fiber lasers in nonlinear bioimaging. PMID:24416074

High-resolution imaging and target designation through clouds or smoke

DOEpatents

Perry, Michael D.

2003-01-01

A method and system of combining gated intensifiers and advances in solid-state, short-pulse laser technology, compact systems capable of producing high resolution (i.e., approximately less than 20 centimeters) optical images through a scattering medium such as dense clouds, fog, smoke, etc. may be achieved from air or ground based platforms. Laser target designation through a scattering medium is also enabled by utilizing a short pulse illumination laser and a relatively minor change to the detectors on laser guided munitions.

Solid state laser disk amplifer architecture: the normal-incidence stack

DOEpatents

Dane, C. Brent; Albrecht, Georg F.; Rotter, Mark D.

2005-01-25

Normal incidence stack architecture coupled with the development of diode array pumping enables the power/energy per disk to be increased, a reduction in beam distortions by orders of magnitude, a beam propagation no longer restricted to only one direction of polarization, and the laser becomes so much more amendable to robust packaging.

High energy efficient solid state laser sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1988-01-01

Recent progress in the development of highly efficient coherent optical sources is reviewed. This work focusses on nonlinear frequency conversion of the highly coherent output of the Non-Planar Ring Laser Oscillators developed earlier in the program, and includes high efficiency second harmonic generation and the operation of optical parametric oscillators for wavelength diversity and tunability.

Requirements and Technology Advances for Global Wind Measurement with a Coherent Lidar: A Shrinking Gap

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kavaya, Michael J.; Kavaya, Michael J.; Yu, Jirong; Koch, Grady J.; Amzajerdian, Farzin; Singh, Upendra N.; Emmitt, G. David

2007-01-01

Early concepts to globally measure vertical profiles of vector horizontal wind from space planned on an orbit height of 525 km, a single pulsed coherent Doppler lidar system to cover the full troposphere, and a continuously rotating telescope/scanner that mandated a vertical line of sight wind profile from each laser shot. Under these conditions system studies found that laser pulse energies of approximately 20 J at 10 Hz pulse repetition rate with a rotating telescope diameter of approximately 1.5 m was required. Further requirements to use solid state laser technology and an eyesafe wavelength led to the relatively new 2-micron solid state laser. With demonstrated pulse energies near 20 mJ at 5 Hz, and no demonstration of a rotating telescope maintaining diffraction limited performance in space, the technology gap between requirements and demonstration was formidable. Fortunately the involved scientists and engineers set out to reduce the gap, and through a combination of clever ideas and technology advances over the last 15 years, they have succeeded. This paper will detail the gap reducing factors and will present the current status.

OEM fiber laser rangefinder for long-distance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corman, Alexandre; Chiquet, Frédéric; Avisse, Thomas; Le Flohic, Marc

2015-05-01

SensUp designs and manufactures electro-optical systems based on laser technology, in particular from fiber lasers. Indeed, that kind of source enables us to get a significant peak power with huge repetition rates at the same time, thus combining some characteristics of the two main technologies on the telemetry field today: laser diodes and solid-state lasers. The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) fiber Laser RangeFinder (LRF) set out below, aims to fit the SWaP (Size Weight and Power) requirements of military markets, and might turn out to be a real alternative to other technologies usually used in range finding systems.

Deformable mirror technologies at AOA Xinetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wirth, Allan; Cavaco, Jeffrey; Bruno, Theresa; Ezzo, Kevin M.

2013-05-01

AOA Xinetics (AOX) has been at the forefront of Deformable Mirror (DM) technology development for over two decades. In this paper the current state of that technology is reviewed and the particular strengths and weaknesses of the various DM architectures are presented. Emphasis is placed on the requirements for DMs applied to the correction of high-energy and high average power lasers. Mirror designs optimized for the correction of typical thermal lensing effects in diode pumped solid-state lasers will be detailed and their capabilities summarized. Passive thermal management techniques that allow long laser run times to be supported will also be discussed.

Generation of programmable temporal pulse shape and applications in micromachining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, X.; Jordens, B.; Hooper, A.; Baird, B. W.; Ren, W.; Xu, L.; Sun, L.

2009-02-01

In this paper we presented a pulse shaping technique on regular solid-state lasers and the application in semiconductor micromachining. With a conventional Q-switched laser, all of the parameters can be adjusted over only limited ranges, especially the pulse width and pulse shape. However, some laser link processes using traditional laser pulses with pulse widths of a few nanoseconds to a few tens of nanoseconds tend to over-crater in thicker overlying passivation layers and thereby cause IC reliability problems. Use of a laser pulse with a special shape and a fast leading edge, such as tailored pulse, is one technique for controlling link processing. The pulse shaping technique is based on light-loop controlled optical modulation to shape conventional Q-switched solid-state lasers. One advantage of the pulse shaping technique is to provide a tailored pulse shape that can be programmed to have more than one amplitude value. Moreover, it has the capability of providing programmable tailored pulse shapes with discrete amplitude and time duration components. In addition, it provides fast rising and fall time of each pulse at fairly high repetition rate at 355nm with good beam quality. The regular-to-shaped efficiency is up to 50%. We conclude with a discussion of current results for laser processing of semiconductor memory link structures using programmable temporal pulse shapes. The processing experiments showed promising results with shaped pulse.

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

Li, Li; Gu, Chun; Xu, Lixin, E-mail: xulixin@ustc.edu.cn

The self-adapting algorithms are improved to optimize a beam configuration in the direct drive laser fusion system with the solid state lasers. A configuration of 32 laser beams is proposed for achieving a high uniformity illumination, with a root-mean-square deviation at 10{sup −4} level. In our optimization, the parameters such as beam number, beam arrangement, and beam intensity profile are taken into account. The illumination uniformity robustness versus the parameters such as intensity profile deviations, power imbalance, intensity profile noise, the pointing error, and the target position error is also discussed. In this study, the model is assumed a solid-spheremore » illumination, and refraction effects of incident light on the corona are not considered. Our results may have a potential application in the design of the direct-drive laser fusion of the Shen Guang-II Upgrading facility (SG-II-U, China).« less

Two-photon interference of weak coherent laser pulses recalled from separate solid-state quantum memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Jeongwan; Slater, Joshua A.; Saglamyurek, Erhan; Sinclair, Neil; George, Mathew; Ricken, Raimund; Oblak, Daniel; Sohler, Wolfgang; Tittel, Wolfgang

2013-08-01

Quantum memories allowing reversible transfer of quantum states between light and matter are central to quantum repeaters, quantum networks and linear optics quantum computing. Significant progress regarding the faithful transfer of quantum information has been reported in recent years. However, none of these demonstrations confirm that the re-emitted photons remain suitable for two-photon interference measurements, such as C-NOT gates and Bell-state measurements, which constitute another key ingredient for all aforementioned applications. Here, using pairs of laser pulses at the single-photon level, we demonstrate two-photon interference and Bell-state measurements after either none, one or both pulses have been reversibly mapped to separate thulium-doped lithium niobate waveguides. As the interference is always near the theoretical maximum, we conclude that our solid-state quantum memories, in addition to faithfully mapping quantum information, also preserve the entire photonic wavefunction. Hence, our memories are generally suitable for future applications of quantum information processing that require two-photon interference.

Two-photon interference of weak coherent laser pulses recalled from separate solid-state quantum memories.

PubMed

Jin, Jeongwan; Slater, Joshua A; Saglamyurek, Erhan; Sinclair, Neil; George, Mathew; Ricken, Raimund; Oblak, Daniel; Sohler, Wolfgang; Tittel, Wolfgang

2013-01-01

Quantum memories allowing reversible transfer of quantum states between light and matter are central to quantum repeaters, quantum networks and linear optics quantum computing. Significant progress regarding the faithful transfer of quantum information has been reported in recent years. However, none of these demonstrations confirm that the re-emitted photons remain suitable for two-photon interference measurements, such as C-NOT gates and Bell-state measurements, which constitute another key ingredient for all aforementioned applications. Here, using pairs of laser pulses at the single-photon level, we demonstrate two-photon interference and Bell-state measurements after either none, one or both pulses have been reversibly mapped to separate thulium-doped lithium niobate waveguides. As the interference is always near the theoretical maximum, we conclude that our solid-state quantum memories, in addition to faithfully mapping quantum information, also preserve the entire photonic wavefunction. Hence, our memories are generally suitable for future applications of quantum information processing that require two-photon interference.

High power high repetition rate VCSEL array side-pumped pulsed blue laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Leeuwen, Robert; Zhao, Pu; Chen, Tong; Xu, Bing; Watkins, Laurence; Seurin, Jean-Francois; Xu, Guoyang; Miglo, Alexander; Wang, Qing; Ghosh, Chuni

2013-03-01

High power, kW-class, 808 nm pump modules based on the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology were developed for side-pumping of solid-state lasers. Two 1.2 kW VCSEL pump modules were implemented in a dual side-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 946 nm. The laser output was frequency doubled in a BBO crystal to produce pulsed blue light. With 125 μs pump pulses at a 300 Hz repetition rate 6.1 W QCW 946 nm laser power was produced. The laser power was limited by thermal lensing in the Nd:YAG rod.

Ytterbium-doped borate fluoride laser crystals and lasers

DOEpatents

Schaffers, Kathleen I.; DeLoach, Laura D.; Payne, Stephen A.; Keszler, Douglas A.

1997-01-01

A new class of solid state laser crystals and lasers are formed from Yb-doped borate fluoride host crystals. The general formula for the host crystals is MM'(BO.sub.3)F, where M, M' are monovalent, divalent aria trivalent metal cations. A particular embodiment of the invention is Yb-doped BaCaBO.sub.3 F (Yb:BCBF). BCBF and some of the related derivative crystals are capable of nonlinear frequency conversion, whereby the fundamental of the laser is converted to a longer or shorter wavelength. In this way, these new crystals can simultaneously serve as self-frequency doubling crystals and laser materials within the laser resonator.

A novel active heads-up display for driver assistance.

PubMed

Doshi, Anup; Cheng, Shinko Yuanhsien; Trivedi, Mohan Manubhai

2009-02-01

In this paper, we introduce a novel laser-based wide-area heads-up windshield display which is capable of actively interfacing with a human as part of a driver assistance system. The dynamic active display (DAD) is a unique prototype interface that presents safety-critical visual icons to the driver in a manner that minimizes the deviation of his or her gaze direction without adding to unnecessary visual clutter. As part of an automotive safety system, the DAD presents alerts in the field of view of the driver only if necessary, which is based upon the state and pose of the driver, vehicle, and environment. This paper examines the effectiveness of DAD through a comprehensive comparative experimental evaluation of a speed compliance driver assistance system, which is implemented on a vehicular test bed. Three different types of display protocols for assisting a driver to comply with speed limits are tested on actual roadways, and these are compared with a conventional dashboard display. Given the inclination, drivers who are given an overspeed warning alert reduced the time required to slow down to the speed limit by 38% (p < 0.01) as compared with the drivers not given the alert. Additionally, certain alerts decreased distraction levels by reducing the time spent looking away from the road by 63% (p < 0.01). Ultimately, these alerts demonstrate the utility and promise of the DAD system.

High Power Laser Diode Array Qualification and Guidelines for Space Flight Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eegholm, Niels; Ott, Melanie; Stephen, Mark; Leidecker, Henning

2005-01-01

Semiconductor laser diodes emit coherent light by simulated emission generated inside the cavity formed by the cleaved end facets of a slab of semiconductor that is typically less than a millimeter in any dimension for single emitters. The diode is pumped by current injection in the p-n junction through the metallic contacts. Laser diodes emitting in the range of 0.8 micron to 1.06 micron have a wide variety of applications from pumping erbium doped fiber amplifiers, dual-clad fiber lasers, solid-state lasers used in telecom, aerospace, military, medical purposes and all the way to CD players, laser printers and other consumer and industrial products. Laser diode bars have many single emitters side by side and spaced approximately .5 mm on a single slab of semiconductor material approximately .5 mm x 10 mm. The individual emitters are connected in parallel maintaining the voltage at -2V but increasing the current to 50-100A/bar. Stacking these laser diode bars in multiple layers, 2 to 20+ high, yields high power laser diode arrays capable of emitting several hundreds of Watts. Electrically the bars are wired in series increasing the voltage by 2V/bar but maintaining the total current at 50-100A. These arrays are one of the enabling technologies for efficient, high power solid-state lasers. Traditionally these arrays are operated in QCW (Quasi CW) mode with pulse widths 10-200 (mu)s and with repetition rates of 10-200Hz. In QCW mode the wavelength and the output power of the laser reaches steady-state but the temperature does not. The advantage is a substantially higher output power than in CW mode, where the output power would be limited by the internal heating and hence the thermal and heat sinking properties of the device. The down side is a much higher thermal induced mechanical stress caused by the constant heating and cooling cycle inherent to the QCW mode.

Conceptual design of laser fusion reactor KOYO-fast Concepts of reactor system and laser driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozaki, Y.; Miyanaga, N.; Norimatsu, T.; Soman, Y.; Hayashi, T.; Furukawa, H.; Nakatsuka, M.; Yoshida, K.; Nakano, H.; Kubomura, H.; Kawashima, T.; Nishimae, J.; Suzuki, Y.; Tsuchiya, N.; Kanabe, T.; Jitsuno, T.; Fujita, H.; Kawanaka, J.; Tsubakimoto, K.; Fujimoto, Y.; Lu, J.; Matsuoka, S.; Ikegawa, T.; Owadano, Y.; Ueda, K.; Tomabechi, K.; Reactor Design Committee in Ife Forum, Members Of

2006-06-01

We have carried out the design studies of KOYO-Fast laser fusion power plant, using fast ignition cone targets, DPSSL lasers, and LiPb liquid wall chambers. Using fast ignition targets, we could design a middle sized 300 MWe reactor module, with 200 MJ fusion pulse energy and 4 Hz rep-rates, and 1200MWe modular power plants with 4 reactor modules and a 16 Hz laser driver. The liquid wall chambers with free surface cascade flows are proposed for cooling surface quickly enough to a 4 Hz pulse operation. We examined the potential of Yb-YAG ceramic lasers operated at 150˜ 225 K for both implosion and heating laser systems required for a 16-Hz repetition and 8 % total efficiency.

Visible high-power laser sources for today and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smolka, Gregory L.

1995-04-01

The diversity and proliferation of 'real-world' laser applications continues to put increasing demand on laser technology. New system constraints, often dictated by the operation environment, stretch the capabilities of conventional laboratory lasers. As the applications proliferate, so too do the users. Today's laser user is often not a laser engineer, but rather views the laser simply as a tool to help him perform his job. For lasers to reach their true market potential, laser designers must respond to these user-mandated requirements with simple, compact, rugged devices. Traditional commercial lasers are far too large, bulky and complex for many of these new applications. Design techniques for shrinking, simplifying the ruggedizing solid-state lasers for today's applications will be discussed.

Cr/sup 3 +/-doped colquiriite solid state laser material

DOEpatents

Payne, S.A.; Chase, L.L.; Newkirk, H.W.; Krupke, W.F.

1988-03-31

Chromium doped colquiriite, LiCaAlF/sub 6/:Cr/sup 3 +/, is useful as a tunable laser crystal that has a high intrinsic slope efficiency, comparable to or exceeding that of alexandrite, the current leading performer of vibronic sideband Cr/sup 3 +/ lasers. The laser output is tunable from at least 720 nm to 840 nm with a measured slope efficiency of about 60% in a Kr laser pumped laser configuration. The intrinsic slope efficiency (in the limit of large output coupling) may approach the quantum defect limited value of 83%. The high slope efficiency implies that excited state absorption (ESA) is negligible. The potential for efficiency and the tuning range of this material satisfy the requirements for a pump laser for a high density storage medium incorporating Nd/sup 3 +/ or Tm/sup 3 +/ for use in a multimegajoule single shot fusion research facility. 4 figs.

Cr.sup.3+ -doped colquiriite solid state laser material

DOEpatents

Payne, Stephen A.; Chase, Lloyd L.; Newkirk, Herbert W.; Krupke, William F.

1989-01-01

Chromium doped colquiriite, LiCaAlF.sub.6 :Cr.sup.3+, is useful as a tunable laser crystal that has a high intrinsic slope efficiency, comparable to or exceeding that of alexandrite, the current leading performer of vibronic sideband Cr.sup.3+ lasers. The laser output is tunable from at least 720 nm to 840 nm with a measured slop efficiency of about 60% in a Kr laser pumped laser configuration. The intrinsic slope efficiency (in the limit of large output coupling) may approach the quantum defect limited value of 83%. The high slope efficiency implies that excited state absorption (ESA) is negligible. The potential for efficiency and the tuning range of this material satisfy the requirements for a pump laser for a high density storage medium incorporating Nd.sup.3+ or Tm.sup.3+ for use in a multimegajoule single shot fusion research facility.

Post-mortem characterization of fs laser-generated micro-pillars in Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 electrodes by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smyrek, P.; Zheng, Y.; Seifert, H. J.; Pfleging, W.

2016-03-01

NMC thick films were prepared by tape-casting and subsequent ultrafast laser-structuring. The lithium distribution in electrochemically cycled and unstructured or fs laser-structured NMC cathodes was investigated by using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The main goal is to develop an optimized three dimensional cell architecture with improved electrochemical properties based on studies of the homogeneity of the local State-of-Charge. LIBS experiments were carried out using a LIBS workstation equipped with a mode-locked diode pumped solid state Nd:YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1063 nm. The element distribution was investigated using two different techniques: element mapping and element depth-profiling of the unstructured / fs laser-structured electrode surface. Results achieved from post-mortem studies using LIBS will be presented.

Transverse Diode Pumping of Solid-State Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-29

more common apertures (laser rod end and cavity end mirror ) leads to a thin-film coating damage issue. The transverse pumped geometry avoids the...proprietary one-half inch square cooler developed for high-power adaptive optics mirror applications. The laser performance observed, with up to 35 watts of...including the development of active mirrors capable of sustaining high power loadings. As part of those efforts, TTC has developed a small (one-half inch

Investigation of Singly Ionized Iodine Spectroscopy in Support of Electrostatic Propulsion Diagnostics Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-02

from complex user interactions due to the use of liquid lasing medium with finite lifetime. Solid state lasers such as titanium sapphire (Ti:Sapphire...transitions for laser -induced fluorescence of an accelerated atomic iodine singly charged ion (I+). While the second spectrum of iodine has been analyzed...diagnostics tools, such as laser -induced fluorescence (LIF), to examine the plasma acceleration within an electro-static plasma propulsion thruster. While

CW molecular iodine laser pumped with a low power DPSSL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luhs, W.; Wellegehausen, B.; Goyal, M.

2017-04-01

Cw oscillation of molecular iodine on many lines in the range of 557-802 nm pumped with a low power common diode pumped and frequency doubled solid state laser DPSSL is reported. The DPSSL is temperature stabilized, operates in single frequency and can be tuned by about 2 nm at 532 nm. Operation conditions of this simple and low cost iodine ring laser will be described and possible applications will be discussed.

Experimental evidence for short-pulse laser heating of solid-density target to high bulk temperatures.

PubMed

Soloviev, A; Burdonov, K; Chen, S N; Eremeev, A; Korzhimanov, A; Pokrovskiy, G V; Pikuz, T A; Revet, G; Sladkov, A; Ginzburg, V; Khazanov, E; Kuzmin, A; Osmanov, R; Shaikin, I; Shaykin, A; Yakovlev, I; Pikuz, S; Starodubtsev, M; Fuchs, J

2017-09-22

Heating efficiently solid-density, or even compressed, matter has been a long-sought goal in order to allow investigation of the properties of such state of matter of interest for various domains, e.g. astrophysics. High-power lasers, pinches, and more recently Free-Electron-Lasers (FELs) have been used in this respect. Here we show that by using the high-power, high-contrast "PEARL" laser (Institute of Applied Physics-Russian Academy of Science, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) delivering 7.5 J in a 60 fs laser pulse, such coupling can be efficiently obtained, resulting in heating of a slab of solid-density Al of 0.8 µm thickness at a temperature of 300 eV, and with minimal density gradients. The characterization of the target heating is achieved combining X-ray spectrometry and measurement of the protons accelerated from the Al slab. The measured heating conditions are consistent with a three-temperatures model that simulates resistive and collisional heating of the bulk induced by the hot electrons. Such effective laser energy deposition is achieved owing to the intrinsic high contrast of the laser which results from the Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplification technology it is based on, allowing to attain high target temperatures in a very compact manner, e.g. in comparison with large-scale FEL facilities.

Evaluation of the performance of small diode pumped UV solid state (DPSS) Nd:YAG lasers as new radiation sources for atmospheric pressure laser ionization mass spectrometry (APLI-MS).

PubMed

Kersten, Hendrik; Lorenz, Matthias; Brockmann, Klaus J; Benter, Thorsten

2011-06-01

The performance of a KrF* bench top excimer laser and a compact diode pumped UV solid state (DPSS) Nd:YAG laser as photo-ionizing source in LC-APLI MS is compared. The commonly applied bench-top excimer laser, operating at 248 nm, provides power densities of the order of low MW/cm(2) on an illuminated area of 0.5 cm(2) (8 mJ/pulse, 5 ns pulse duration, beam waist area 0.5 cm(2), 3 MW/cm(2)). The DPSS laser, operating at 266 nm, provides higher power densities, however, on a two orders of magnitude smaller illuminated area (60 μJ/pulse, 1 ns pulse duration, beam waist area 2 × 10(-3) cm(2), 30 MW/cm(2)). In a common LC-APLI MS setup with direct infusion of a 10 nM pyrene solution, the DPSS laser yields a significantly smaller ion signal (0.9%) and signal to noise ratio (1.4%) compared with the excimer laser. With respect to the determined low detection limits (LODs) for PAHs of 0.1 fmol using an excimer laser, LODs in DPSS laser LC-APLI MS in the low pmol regime are expected. The advantages of the DPSS laser with respect to applicability (size, cost, simplicity) may render this light source the preferred one for APLI applications not focusing on ultimately high sensitivities. Furthermore, the impact of adjustable ion source parameters on the performance of both laser systems is discussed in terms of the spatial sensitivity distribution described by the distribution of ion acceptance (DIA) measurements. Perspectives concerning the impact on future APLI-MS applications are given.

An aluminium nitride light-emitting diode with a wavelength of 210 nanometres.

PubMed

Taniyasu, Yoshitaka; Kasu, Makoto; Makimoto, Toshiki

2006-05-18

Compact high-efficiency ultraviolet solid-state light sources--such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes--are of considerable technological interest as alternatives to large, toxic, low-efficiency gas lasers and mercury lamps. Microelectronic fabrication technologies and the environmental sciences both require light sources with shorter emission wavelengths: the former for improved resolution in photolithography and the latter for sensors that can detect minute hazardous particles. In addition, ultraviolet solid-state light sources are also attracting attention for potential applications in high-density optical data storage, biomedical research, water and air purification, and sterilization. Wide-bandgap materials, such as diamond and III-V nitride semiconductors (GaN, AlGaN and AlN; refs 3-10), are potential materials for ultraviolet LEDs and laser diodes, but suffer from difficulties in controlling electrical conduction. Here we report the successful control of both n-type and p-type doping in aluminium nitride (AlN), which has a very wide direct bandgap of 6 eV. This doping strategy allows us to develop an AlN PIN (p-type/intrinsic/n-type) homojunction LED with an emission wavelength of 210 nm, which is the shortest reported to date for any kind of LED. The emission is attributed to an exciton transition, and represents an important step towards achieving exciton-related light-emitting devices as well as replacing gas light sources with solid-state light sources.

Solid state dewetting of thin plasmonic films under focused cw-laser irradiation

DOE PAGES

Abbott, William M.; Corbett, Simon; Cunningham, Graeme; ...

2017-12-21

Elevated temperatures and large thermal gradients are a significant source of component failure in microelectronics, and is the limiting factor in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). Here, we have investigated the effect of solid-state dewetting in Au thin films, as a function of local temperature, film thickness, and substrate adhesion. In this work, a localised temperature rise is induced in thin (≤ 50 nm) polycrystalline Au films on SiO 2 substrates via focused continuous-wave laser irradiation at 488 nm. The magnitude and distribution of the total temperature rise is measured using CCD-based thermoreflectance. This also allows a sensitive measurement of themore » temperature at which dewetting occurs, showing that for thin (≤ 50 nm) Au films without adhesion layers, rapid dewetting can occur at temperatures as low as 50° C. The time decay of the reflected light from the illuminating laser is used to monitor locally the dynamics of solid state dewetting. TEM diffraction analysis shows significant changes in the microstructure and crystallographic texture of the films as far as 10 µm away from the illuminated area. The use of a thin metallic adhesion layer (such as Ti or Cr) is shown to significantly improve the adhesion of the Au to the substrate and reduce the tendency towards dewetting, but does not entirely protect it from changes to the crystallographic texture.« less

Solid state dewetting of thin plasmonic films under focused cw-laser irradiation

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

Abbott, William M.; Corbett, Simon; Cunningham, Graeme

Elevated temperatures and large thermal gradients are a significant source of component failure in microelectronics, and is the limiting factor in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). Here, we have investigated the effect of solid-state dewetting in Au thin films, as a function of local temperature, film thickness, and substrate adhesion. In this work, a localised temperature rise is induced in thin (≤ 50 nm) polycrystalline Au films on SiO 2 substrates via focused continuous-wave laser irradiation at 488 nm. The magnitude and distribution of the total temperature rise is measured using CCD-based thermoreflectance. This also allows a sensitive measurement of themore » temperature at which dewetting occurs, showing that for thin (≤ 50 nm) Au films without adhesion layers, rapid dewetting can occur at temperatures as low as 50° C. The time decay of the reflected light from the illuminating laser is used to monitor locally the dynamics of solid state dewetting. TEM diffraction analysis shows significant changes in the microstructure and crystallographic texture of the films as far as 10 µm away from the illuminated area. The use of a thin metallic adhesion layer (such as Ti or Cr) is shown to significantly improve the adhesion of the Au to the substrate and reduce the tendency towards dewetting, but does not entirely protect it from changes to the crystallographic texture.« less

A 10 Gb/s laser driver in 130 nm CMOS technology for high energy physics applications

DOE PAGES

Zhang, T.; Tavernier, F.; Moreira, P.; ...

2015-02-19

The GigaBit Laser Driver (GBLD) is a key on-detector component of the GigaBit Transceiver (GBT) system at the transmitter side. We have developed a 10 Gb/s GBLD (GBLD10) in a 130 nm CMOS technology, as part of the design efforts towards the upgrade of the electrical components of the LHC experiments. The GBLD10 is based on the distributed-amplifier (DA) architecture and achieves data rates up to 10 Gb/s. It is capable of driving VCSELs with modulation currents up to 12 mA. Furthermore, a pre-emphasis function has been included in the proposed laser driver in order to compensate for the capacitivemore » load and channel losses.« less

The Ten Outstanding Engineering Achievements of the Past 50 Years.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hightower, George

1984-01-01

Describes the outstanding achievement in each of 10 major engineering categories. These categories include synthetic fibers, nuclear energy, computers, solid state electronics, jet aircraft, biomedical engineering, lasers, communications satellites, the United States space program, and automation and control systems. (JN)

New solid state lasers from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared

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

Payne, S.A.; Krupke, W.F.; Beach, R.J.

The authors discuss three new laser materials that offer improved access to the ultraviolet, near infrared and mid-infrared spectral regions. In order for each of these materials to have been identified, a particular hurdle needed to be overcome with respect to the fundamental laser physics impacting the material. In the case of the 280-320nm Ce:LiSAF laser, the main issue is the need to reduce the loss associated with excited state absorption, while for 1047nm Yb:S-FAP it is the ground state absorption at the laser wavelength that must be minimized. Cr:ZnSe has been down-selected from a number of potential candidates whichmore » could lase in the 2200-3000nm region, in order to mitigate the detrimental impact of nonradiative decay. In all three cases the authors discuss how appropriate consideration of fundamental concerns has led to the identification and understanding of the new laser system.« less

High energy efficient solid state laser sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, Robert L.

1989-01-01

Recent progress in the development of highly efficient coherent optical sources was reviewed. This work has focused on nonlinear frequency conversion of the highly coherent output of the non-planar ring laser oscillators developed earlier in the program, and includes high efficiency second harmonic generation and the operation of optical parametric oscillators for wavelength diversity and tunability.

Bibliography of Soviet Laser Developments, Number 77, May - June 1985.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-01

B . CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(S) 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS I0. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK Defense Intelligence Agency AREA...TABLE OF CONTENTS I. BASIC RESEARCH A. Solid State Lasers 1. Crystal a. Miscellaneous ................... 1 b . Ruby .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . - c...LiF ............................. 1 2. Rare Earth a. Miscellaneous .......... .. . 1 b . Nd3+ . .. . . . .. . .0 . . . . c. Er3

Workshop Proceedings of the Conference on Solid State Tunable Lasers Held at Hampton, Virginia on 13-15 June 1984.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-07-01

87 Trivalent Cerium Doped Crystals as Tunable Laser Systems: Two Bad Apples Douglas S. Hamilton...161 Theory of Fluorescence Quenching in Low-Field Chromium ... trivalent types of luminescent centers can be grown. Mostly high quantum efficiencies at room-temperature are observed. Pulsed room-temperature lasing

Starlight: A stationary inertial-confinement-fusion reactor with nonvaporizing walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pitts, John H.

1989-09-01

The Starlight concept for an inertial-confinement-fusion (ICF) reactor utilizes a softball-sized solid-lithium x ray and debris shield that surrounds each fuel pellet as it is injected into the reactor. The shield is sacrificial and vaporizes as it absorbs x ray and ion-debris energy emanating from the fusion reactions in the fuel pellets. However, the energy deposition time at the surface if the first wall is lengthened by four orders of magnitude (to greater than 100 microns) which allows the energy to be conducted into the wall fast enough to prevent vaporization. Starlight operates at 5 Hz with 300-MJ-yield fuel pellets. It features a stationary, nonvaporizing first wall that eliminates erosion and shock waves which can destroy the wall; also, it allows arbitrary fuel pellet illumination geometries so that efficient coupling of either laser or heavy ion beam driver energy to the fuel pellet can be achieved. When neutrons penetrate the shield, the wall experiences neutron damage that limits its lifetime. Hence, we must choose wall materials that have ab economic lifetime. We describe the general concept and a specific design for laser drivers using a 6-m-radius, 2 1/4 Cr 1 Mo steel first wall. We include heat transfer calculations used to establish the radius and structural analysis that shows stresses are within allowable limits. A wall lifetime of over six years is predicted.

Status of prototype of SG-III high-power solid-state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Haiwu; Jing, Feng; Wei, Xiaofeng; Zheng, Wanguo; Zhang, Xiaomin; Sui, Zhan; Li, Mingzhong; Hu, Dongxia; He, Shaobo; Peng, Zhitao; Feng, Bin; Zhou, Hai; Guo, Liangfu; Li, Xiaoqun; Su, Jingqin; Zhao, Runchang; Yang, Dong; Zheng, Kuixing; Yuan, Xiaodong

2008-10-01

We are currently developing a large aperture neodymium-glass based high-power solid state laser, Shenguang-III (SG-III), which will be used to provide extreme conditions for high-energy-density physical experiments in China. As a baseline design, SG-III will be composed of 48 beams arranged in 6 bundles with each beam aperture of 40cm×40cm. A prototype of SG-III (TIL-Technical Integration experimental Line) was developed from 2000, and completed in 2007. TIL is composed of 8 beams (four in vertical and two in horizontal), with each square aperture of 30cm×30cm. After frequency tripling, TIL has delivered about 10kJ in 0.351 μm at 1 ns pulsewidth. As an operational laser facility, TIL has a beam divergence of 70 μrad (focus length of 2.2m, i.e., 30DL) and pointing accuracy of 30 μm (RMS), and meets the requirements of physical experiments.

Ultra-stable microwave generation with a diode-pumped solid-state laser in the 1.5-μm range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolgovskiy, Vladimir; Schilt, Stéphane; Bucalovic, Nikola; Di Domenico, Gianni; Grop, Serge; Dubois, Benoît; Giordano, Vincent; Südmeyer, Thomas

2014-09-01

We demonstrate the first ultra-stable microwave generation based on a 1.5-μm diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) frequency comb. Our system relies on optical-to-microwave frequency division from a planar-waveguide external cavity laser referenced to an ultra-stable Fabry-Perot cavity. The evaluation of the microwave signal at ~10 GHz uses the transportable ultra-low-instability signal source ULISS®, which employs a cryo-cooled sapphire oscillator. With the DPSSL comb, we measured -125 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1 kHz offset frequency, likely limited by the photo-detection shot-noise or by the noise floor of the reference cryo-cooled sapphire oscillator. For comparison, we also generated low-noise microwave using a commercial Er:fiber comb stabilized in similar conditions and observed >20 dB lower phase noise in the microwave generated from the DPSSL comb. Our results confirm the high potential of the DPSSL technology for low-noise comb applications.

Solid State Research, 1977:3

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-08-15

Reflectivity of CdGeAs, G.D. Holah* A. Miller* W. D. Dunnett* G.W. Iseler Solid State Commun. 23, 75 (1977) 4726 Thin-Film VO2 Submillimeter- Wave...Measure- ments 4439 X-Ray Lithographic and Pro- cessing Technologies for Fabricating Surface Relief Gratings with Profile Control < 400 A S. A...stripe-geometry lasers. The stripe width is 1 3 |i.m, and the cavity length is typically 3 80 to 400 |im. Ohmic contacts were made by

Beam wavefront and farfield control for ICF laser driver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Wanjun; Deng, Wu; Zhang, Xin; Jiang, Xuejun; Zhang, Kun; Zhou, Wei; Zhao, Junpu; Hu, Dongxia

2010-10-01

Five main problems of beam wavefront and farfield control in ICF laser driver are synthetically discussed, including control requirements, beam propagation principle, distortions source control, system design and adjustment optimization, active wavefront correction technology. We demonstrate that beam can be propagated well and the divergence angle of the TIL pulses can be improved to less than 60μrad with solving these problems, which meets the requirements of TIL. The results can provide theoretical and experimental support for wavefront and farfield control designing requirements of the next large scale ICF driver.

Transition-metal doped sulfide, selenide, and telluride laser crystal and lasers

DOEpatents

Krupke, W.F.; Page, R.H.; DeLoach, L.D.; Payne, S.A.

1996-07-30

A new class of solid state laser crystals and lasers are formed of transition metal doped sulfide, selenide, and telluride host crystals which have four fold coordinated substitutional sites. The host crystals include II-VI compounds. The host crystal is doped with a transition metal laser ion, e.g., chromium, cobalt or iron. In particular, Cr{sup 2+}-doped ZnS and ZnSe generate laser action near 2.3 {micro}m. Oxide, chloride, fluoride, bromide and iodide crystals with similar structures can also be used. Important aspects of these laser materials are the tetrahedral site symmetry of the host crystal, low excited state absorption losses and high luminescence efficiency, and the d{sup 4} and d{sup 6} electronic configurations of the transition metal ions. The same materials are also useful as saturable absorbers for passive Q-switching applications. The laser materials can be used as gain media in amplifiers and oscillators; these gain media can be incorporated into waveguides and semiconductor lasers. 18 figs.

Transition-metal doped sulfide, selenide, and telluride laser crystal and lasers

DOEpatents

Krupke, William F.; Page, Ralph H.; DeLoach, Laura D.; Payne, Stephen A.

1996-01-01

A new class of solid state laser crystals and lasers are formed of transition metal doped sulfide, selenide, and telluride host crystals which have four fold coordinated substitutional sites. The host crystals include II-VI compounds. The host crystal is doped with a transition metal laser ion, e.g., chromium, cobalt or iron. In particular, Cr.sup.2+ -doped ZnS and ZnSe generate laser action near 2.3 .mu.m. Oxide, chloride, fluoride, bromide and iodide crystals with similar structures can also be used. Important aspects of these laser materials are the tetrahedral site symmetry of the host crystal, low excited state absorption losses and high luminescence efficiency, and the d.sup.4 and d.sup.6 electronic configurations of the transition metal ions. The same materials are also useful as saturable absorbers for passive Q-switching applications. The laser materials can be used as gain media in amplifiers and oscillators; these gain media can be incorporated into waveguides and semiconductor lasers.

Ultra-high gradient channeling acceleration in nanostructures: Design/progress of proof-of-concept (POC) experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Y. M.; Green, A.; Lumpkin, A. H.; Thurman-Keup, R. M.; Shiltsev, V.; Zhang, X.; Farinella, D. M.-A.; Taborek, P.; Tajima, T.; Wheeler, J. A.; Mourou, G.

2017-03-01

A short bunch of relativistic particles, or a short-pulse laser, perturb the density state of conduction electrons in a solid crystal and excite wakefields along atomic lattices in a crystal. Under a coupling condition between a driver and plasma, the wakes, if excited, can accelerate channeling particles with TeV/m acceleration gradients [1], in principle, since the density of charge carriers (conduction electrons) in solids n0 = 1020 - 1023 cm-3 is significantly higher than what was considered above in gaseous plasma. Nanostructures have some advantages over crystals for channeling applications of high power beams. The de-channeling rate can be reduced and the beam acceptance increased by the large size of the channels. For beam-driven acceleration, a bunch length with a sufficient charge density would need to be in the range of the plasma wavelength to properly excite plasma wakefields, and channeled particle acceleration with the wakefields must occur before the ions in the lattices move beyond the restoring threshold. In the case of the excitation by short laser pulses, the dephasing length is appreciably increased with the larger channel, which enables channeled particles to gain sufficient amounts of energy. This paper describes simulation analyses on beam- and laser (X-ray)-driven accelerations in effective nanotube models obtained from the Vsim and EPOCH codes. Experimental setups to detect wakefields are also outlined with accelerator facilities at Fermilab and Northern Illinois University (NIU). In the FAST facility, the electron beamline was successfully commissioned at 50 MeV, and it is being upgraded toward higher energies for electron accelerator R&D. The 50 MeV injector beamline of the facility is used for X-ray crystal-channeling radiation with a diamond target. It has been proposed to utilize the same diamond crystal for a channeling acceleration proof-of-concept (POC). Another POC experiment is also designed for the NIU accelerator lab with time-resolved electron diffraction. Recently, a stable generation of single-cycle laser pulses with tens of Petawatt power based on the thin film compression (TFC) technique has been investigated for target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) and radiation pressure acceleration (RPA). The experimental plan with a nanometer foil is discussed with an available test facility such as Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP).

Solid State Laser Technology Development for Atmospheric Sensing Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, James C.

1998-01-01

NASA atmospheric scientists are currently planning active remote sensing missions that will enable global monitoring of atmospheric ozone, water vapor, aerosols and clouds as well as global wind velocity. The measurements of these elements and parameters are important because of the effects they have on climate change, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, atmospheric transport and, in general, the health of the planet. NASA will make use of Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) and backscatter lidar techniques for active remote sensing of molecular constituents and atmospheric phenomena from advanced high-altitude aircraft and space platforms. This paper provides an overview of NASA Langley Research Center's (LaRC's) development of advanced solid state lasers, harmonic generators, and wave mixing techniques aimed at providing the broad range of wavelengths necessary to meet measurement goals of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise.