Abstract
We provide a critical review of the fundamental concepts of Kerr lens mode-locking (KLM), along with a detailed description of the experimental considerations involved in the realization of a mode-locked oscillator. In addition, we review recent developments that overcome inherent limitations and disadvantages in standard KLM lasers. Our review is aimed mainly at readers who wish to realize/maintain such an oscillator or for those who wish to better understand this major experimental tool.
Highlights
Ultrashort pulses are key to numerous fields of science and technology
We focus only on the few concepts that are relevant to the understanding of the Kerr lens mode-locking mechanism
The intensity-dependent refractive index modulates the instantaneous phase of the pulse according to the instantaneous intensity by: φ(t) = ω0 t + φN L = ω0 t + k0 n(I)L; where L is the thickness of the Kerr medium. This process is known as self phase modulation (SPM), which results in modulation of the instantaneous frequency around the central frequency, ω0, given by: ω(t) = φ =
Summary
Ultrashort pulses are key to numerous fields of science and technology. The unique temporal and spectral properties of the pulses make them an extremely valuable tool in many fields, such as the investigation of ultrafast chemical reactions [1] and multi-photon microscopy [2]. The Ti:sapphire laser has become an extremely valuable research tool in many laboratories that focus on ultrafast phenomena and precision measurement. For these reasons, the description of the physical and experimental considerations involved in the realization of such an oscillator are beneficial to a wide audience of experimentalist (and theorists). While we attempted to cover all relevant topics for experimental realization of a mode-locked Ti:sapphire oscillator, many readers are probably well familiar with some of the basic concepts, such as the principles of pulsed operation or dispersion control. We advise the reader to first leaf through the review and selectively read chapters of higher interest
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