Continuous-wave Diode Research Articles

Duration-tunable picosecond source at 560 nm with watt-level average power.

A pulse source at 560nm that is tunable in duration between 50ps and 2.7ns with >1 W of average power and near diffraction-limited beam quality is demonstrated. The source is based on efficient (up to 50%) second-harmonic generation in a periodically poled lithium tantalate crystal of a linearly polarized fiber-integrated Raman amplifier operating at 1120nm. A duration-tunable ytterbium master-oscillator power-fiber amplifier is used to pulse-pump the Raman amplifier, which is seeded by a continuous-wave distributed-feedback laser diode at 1120nm. The performance of the system using two different master oscillator schemes is compared. A pulse energy of up to 765nJ is achieved with a conversion efficiency of 25% from the ytterbium fiber pump, demonstrating a compact and turn-key architecture for obtaining high peak-power radiation at 560nm.

Localized thermal tumor destruction using dye-enhanced photothermal tumor therapy.

In an attempt to develop a new therapeutic approach for highly localized thermal destruction of tissue targets that lack natural pigmentation, the potential of in-vivo dye-enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) was investigated. PTT involves the application of an exogenous absorber, which accumulates in metabolically active tissues, followed by non-invasive light irradiation, using appropriate wavelengths, exposure durations, and irradiances. The chromophore used, palladium(II) octabutoxynaphthalocyanine (PdNc(OBu)8 ), strongly absorbs in the near infrared wavelength range which thus permits good penetration depth of the exciting light. The predominant de-excitation routes of the chromophore are radiationless thermal processes. Using a BALB/c mouse model with a subcutaneously implanted syngeneic EMT6 adenocarcinoma, 96-100 hours after intraperitoneal application of PdNc(OBu)8 , tumor, and surrounding tissue were irradiated with a 830 nm continuous wave diode laser applying 30 Wcm(-2) for 10-20 seconds. Treatment parameters were based on theoretical calculations. Histological evaluation of thermal effects on tumor and normal tissue showed that after PdNc(OBu)8 -enhanced photothermal treatment, highly localized and selective thermal damage of the tumors was achieved. The necrotic tumor area was invaded by inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, and lymphocytes, thus reflecting a prominent host immune response. In tumors treated with PTT for 15 or 20 seconds, respectively, only few surviving tumor cells were detected underneath the epidermis. Adjacent peripheral normal tissue including skin and muscle remained completely unaffected. This study highlights the potential of achieving irreversible thermal tissue damage closely localized to the target tissue when PdNc(OBu)8 is used in combination with continuous-wave light.

Compact 405-nm random-modulation continuous wave lidar for standoff biological warfare detection

A compact bioaerosol standoff system was developed and tested for bio warfare agent stimulant aerosol detection. It used a continuous-wave semiconductor laser diode with an output power of 100 mW and a wavelength of 405 nm. It was modulated with a pseudorandom code at 100 MHz to provide the 1.5 m range resolution for both scattering and fluorescence detection. A 200-mm-diameter Cassegrain telescope and four photon-counting detection channels centered at 405 nm (two polarization detection channels), 450 nm, and 530 nm constituted the optical receiver. A field-programmable gate array chip was controlled to generate the laser driver signal and record four synchronized channel signals. Field tests were performed with stimulant aerosols of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast. The detected biological warfare stimulant aerosol lidar was released at ranges of several hundred meters. The preliminary result showed that the fluorescence channel detected the stimulants at ranges up to 90 m and the elastic scattering channel up to 200 m.

Third order nonlinear optical properties and optical limiting behavior of alkali metal complexes of p-nitrophenol

Abstract Optical nonlinearity of metal complexes of p-nitrophenolate (M=Li, Na and K) in ethanol is studied by using a continuous wave (cw) diode pumped Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, 50 mW). The predominant mechanism of observed nonlinearity is thermal in origin. The nonlinear refractive index and the nonlinear absorption coefficient of the samples were found to be in the order of 10 −8 cm 2 /W and 10 −3 cm/W respectively. Magnitude of third-order optical parameters varies according to the choice of alkali metal chosen for metal complex formation of p-nitrophenolate. The third-order nonlinear susceptibility was found to be in the order of 10 −6 esu. The observed saturable absorption and the self-defocusing effect were used to demonstrate the optical limiting action at 532 nm by using the same cw laser beam.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy: A promise candidate for caries lesions treatment

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising adjunctive therapy to the treatment of caries lesions, mainly in the minimally invasive approach to preserve dental tissue and favor its repair. Here we analyzed both the efficacy of aPDT in reducing the bacterial load in cariogenic biofilms and the indirect effect of noxious components produced by aPDT on the viability of dental pulp cells. The aPDT protocol was established using 0.025g/mL methylene blue (MB) and 5min pre-irradiation time. A continuous-wave diode laser (660nm, 0.04cm(2) spot size, 40mW, 60s, 60J/cm(2) and 2.4J) was used in punctual and distance modes to excite the MB. The protocol was first tested against Streptococcus mutans (U159) biofilms produced in 96-well microplates, and then evaluated on caries-like affected human dentin discs of three thicknesses. The number of colony forming units (CFU) was compared between groups. Discs were then assembled in metallic inserts to produce an artificial pulp chamber and allow investigation of the indirect effects of aPDT on dental pulp cells by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Data were analyzed using Student's t test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey's test at a significance level of 5%. Bacterial load reduction was observed in biofilms produced both in the microplates (p<0.05) and on the caries-like affected dentin discs (81.01% or mean reduction of log21.010±0.1548; p=0.0029). The cell viability of aPDT and control group was similar (p>0.05). aPDT may be considered a promise adjunctive therapy for deep carious lesions.

White light generation controlled by changing the concentration of silver nanoparticles hosted by Ho3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ doped GeO2–PbO glasses

Frequency upconversion (UC) experiments were performed with GeO2–PbO glasses, containing silver nanoparticles (NPs), doped with holmium (Ho3+), thulium (Tm3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) ions. The samples were excited using a continuous-wave diode laser operating at 980nm. The UC intensities and the colors of the samples were controlled by changing the concentrations of the rare-earth ions (REI) and the silver NPs nucleated inside the samples. The colors observed spanned the visible range from the red–yellow to the blue. For a particular combination of silver NPs and REI concentrations it was obtained white light generation corresponding to the CIE coordinates X=0.33 and Y=0.33.

Range-resolved interferometric signal processing using sinusoidal optical frequency modulation.

A novel signal processing technique using sinusoidal optical frequency modulation of an inexpensive continuous-wave laser diode source is proposed that allows highly linear interferometric phase measurements in a simple, self-referencing setup. Here, the use of a smooth window function is key to suppress unwanted signal components in the demodulation process. Signals from several interferometers with unequal optical path differences can be multiplexed, and, in contrast to prior work, the optical path differences are continuously variable, greatly increasing the practicality of the scheme. In this paper, the theory of the technique is presented, an experimental implementation using three multiplexed interferometers is demonstrated, and detailed investigations quantifying issues such as linearity and robustness against instrument drift are performed.

A sweet polydopamine nanoplatform for synergistic combination of targeted chemo-photothermal therapy.

Inspired by sweet or sugar-coated bullets that are used for medications in clinics and the structure and function of biological melanin, a novel kind of sweet polydopamine nanoparticles and their anticancer drug doxorubicin loaded counterparts are prepared, which integrate an active targeting function, photothermal therapy, and chemotherapy into one polymeric nanocarrier. The oxidative polymerization of lactosylated dopamine and/or with dopamine are performed under mild conditions and the resulting sweet nanoparticles are thoroughly characterized. When exposed to an 808 nm continuous-wave diode laser, the magnitude of temperature elevation not only increases with the concentration of nanoparticles, but can also be tuned by the laser power density. The nanoparticles possess strong near infrared light absorption, high photothermal conversion efficiency, and good photostability. The nanoparticles present tunable binding with RCA120 lectin and a targeting effect to HepG2 cells, confirmed by dynamic light scattering, turbidity analysis, MTT assay, and flow cytometry. Importantly, the sweet nanoparticles give the lowest IC50 value of 11.67 μg mL(-1) for chemo-photothermal therapy compared with 43.19 μg mL(-1) for single chemotherapy and 67.38 μg mL(-1) for photothermal therapy alone, demonstrating a good synergistic effect for the combination therapy.

Comparative studies of singlet oxygen generation by fullerenes and single- and multilayer carbon nanotubes in the form of solid-phase film coatings

Four types of carbon nanoparticles: C60 fullerene (crystalline and amorphized) and single- and multilayer carbon nanotubes were studied in the form of solid-phase film coatings for the purpose of obtaining singlet oxygen generation in the process of irradiation of these materials by continuous-wave broadband light-emitting diodes in the visible region spectra and by a monopulse 532-nm neodymium laser.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Clad and Post-cladding Tempered AISI H13 Tool Steel

This study reports a detailed investigation of the microstructure and mechanical properties (wear resistance and tensile strength) of hardened and tempered AISI H13 tool steel substrate following laser cladding with AISI H13 tool steel powder in as-clad and after post-cladding conventional bulk isothermal tempering [at 823 K (550 °C) for 2 hours] heat treatment. Laser cladding was carried out on AISI H13 tool steel substrate using a 6 kW continuous wave diode laser coupled with fiber delivering an energy density of 133 J/mm2 and equipped with a co-axial powder feeding nozzle capable of feeding powder at the rate of 13.3 × 10−3 g/mm2. Laser clad zone comprises martensite, retained austenite, and carbides, and measures an average hardness of 600 to 650 VHN. Subsequent isothermal tempering converted the microstructure into one with tempered martensite and uniform dispersion of carbides with a hardness of 550 to 650 VHN. Interestingly, laser cladding introduced residual compressive stress of 670 ± 15 MPa, which reduces to 580 ± 20 MPa following isothermal tempering. Micro-tensile testing with specimens machined from the clad zone across or transverse to cladding direction showed high strength but failure in brittle mode. On the other hand, similar testing with samples sectioned from the clad zone parallel or longitudinal to the direction of laser cladding prior to and after post-cladding tempering recorded lower strength but ductile failure with 4.7 and 8 pct elongation, respectively. Wear resistance of the laser surface clad and post-cladding tempered samples (evaluated by fretting wear testing) registered superior performance as compared to that of conventional hardened and tempered AISI H13 tool steel.

Entangling photons using a continuous-wave multi-mode diode laser

Entangling photons using a continuous-wave multi-mode diode laser

Aluminum welding by combining a diode laser with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser

Laser welding of aluminum alloys (AA 5754 and AA 6016) by superimposing a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a continuous wave (cw) diode laser has been investigated in order to improve the weldability and the process efficiency. The low absorption of laser radiation at a wavelength of 1064 nm and the high thermal conductivity make it difficult to laser weld aluminum alloys efficiently. Therefore, a pulsed Nd:YAG laser and a low power diode laser emitting a wavelength of 980 nm were spatially superimposed. This configuration allows to enhance the absorption for the Nd:YAG welding laser due to the preheating of the diode laser. Thus, the process efficiency as well as the weld quality is enhanced. The experiments revealed that a small output power of the diode laser (<150 W) allows increasing the welding speed up to 80 % and the weld depth up to 38 %. Furthermore, the superposition leads to a significant improve of the weld seam quality, in particular to avoid hot cracking.

Diode-pumped, narrow-linewidth, linearly polarized, passively Q-switched 1645 nm Er:YAG laser

We demonstrate a narrow-linewidth linearly polarized 1645 nm Er:YAG laser, directly diode-pumped by a fiber-coupled continuous-wave laser diode at 1532 nm. Passive Q-switching is realized by a few-layer graphene saturable absorber. A maximum polarized average output power of 3.13 W is achieved at 23.28 W incident pump power. A pulse energy of as much as 58.8 μJ and pulse width of 4.21 μs are yielded at a 53.2 kHz pulse repetition rate. The spectrum and linewidth of the output beams are measured to be 1645.34 and 0.05 nm, respectively. This laser can be useful in the detection of atmosphere pollutants.

Study of the Laser Remelting of a Cold Sprayed Titanium Layer

Cold Gas Dynamic Spray is an emerging coating technology based on the use of a supersonic gas jet to accelerate (up to 1000 m/s) and to impact a powder, with size ranging from 1 to 50μm in diameter, on a substrate. Due to the high speed, during the impact, the powder undergoes a severe plastic deformation such that it adheres on the substrate. Thanks to this method, it is possible to produce up to fully dense metallic coatings on substrates of different materials. With this technology, different kinds of powder (metals, polymers, ceramics, composite materials and nanocrystalline powders) or their mixing can be deposited. Among the various possible powders that can be deposited by cold spray, titanium is one of the most attractive materials thanks to its potential applications. A titanium layer produced onto a softer materials (i.e. aluminium alloys) could improve both the corrosion resistance and the wear properties of the components. However, the coating made with this technique could be affected by several problems, such as porosity, high roughness and low mechanical properties. A possible solution for this issues is the use of laser remelting post-deposition treatment. The present investigation deals with the application of a continuous wave diode laser in order to change the coating properties and metallographic structure. With this aim, laser remelting of a titanium cold sprayed layer were carried out on samples of grade 2 titanium alloy, 5mm thick, obtained by cold spray technique, by using a 220W diode laser at different scan speed. In order to avoid the influence of the particular substrate, the laser remelting process was carried after the detachment of the coating from the substrate. After laser treatments, light and SEM microscopy were carried out to analyze the geometry of remelted zone and the evolution of its microstructure morphology. Moreover, micro-hardness measurements were made to evaluate the mechanical properties. Three different metallurgical structures corresponding to the remelted zone, the heat affected zone and base material were observed. The remelted zone showed an elliptical shape, with a depth up to 0.7mm and a martensitic microstructure. Furthermore, in this zone, hardness higher than the base material (more than threefold) was found. In conclusion, it is possible to affirm that the laser remelting is a promising technique to improve the superficial properties of titanium cold sprayed layers.

Continuous Wave Diode Laser Surface Texturing of Austenitic and Pearlitic Steels

Microstructuring of steel resulting in directional solidification and texturing, previously observed in various metallic materials during pulsed laser processing, melt-spinning, high-gradient liquid metal melting, zone melting etc., is reported for the first time in continuous wave diode laser processing of steels. Influence of laser interaction time on surface morphology/topology of austenitic manganese and pearlitic steels is investigated utilizing a wide rectangular multi-mode diode laser beam. X-ray diffraction analysis of the laser treated austenitic steel surface showed strong texturing influence, with preferred crystallographic orientation of γ-Fe crystals in the (200) plane, which increased with interaction time. In case of pearlitic steel, no such texturing influence could be observed. The free surface topologies were also observed to be different in each case, with well-aligned domes of γ-Fe observed in laser treated austenitic steel as compared to randomly oriented fine domes of metal oxides in pearlitic one. In situ surface temperature measurement during laser irradiation indicated higher temperature on pearlitic steel than in austenitic manganese steel owing to its lower effective thermal conductivity associated with higher oxide film formation.

Room temperature continuous-wave green lasing from an InGaN microdisk on silicon.

Optically pumped green lasing with an ultra low threshold has been achieved using an InGaN/GaN based micro-disk with an undercut structure on silicon substrates. The micro-disks with a diameter of around 1 μm were fabricated by means of a combination of a cost-effective silica micro-sphere approach, dry-etching and subsequent chemical etching. The combination of these techniques both minimises the roughness of the sidewalls of the micro-disks and also produces excellent circular geometry. Utilizing this fabrication process, lasing has been achieved at room temperature under optical pumping from a continuous-wave laser diode. The threshold for lasing is as low as 1 kW/cm2. Time–resolved micro photoluminescence (PL) and confocal PL measurements have been performed in order to further confirm the lasing action in whispering gallery modes and also investigate the excitonic recombination dynamics of the lasing.

Dynamical electrical tuning of a silicon microsphere: used for spectral mapping of the optical resonances.

In this work, electrical square pulses at various duty cycles are applied to a silicon microsphere resonator in order to continuously tune the refractive index of a silicon microsphere and to map the optical resonance in the time domain. A continuous-wave semiconductor diode laser operating in the L-band is used for the excitation of the silicon microsphere optical resonances. The 90° transverse magnetically polarized elastic scattering signal is used to monitor the silicon microsphere resonances. We show that at a constant input laser wavelength, up to five high-quality-factor optical resonances can be scanned by dynamical electrical tuning of the silicon microsphere cavity.

A cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor for real-time Hall thruster erosion measurements.

A continuous-wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor for real-time measurements of sputtered boron from Hall thrusters has been developed. The sensor uses a continuous-wave frequency-quadrupled diode laser at 250 nm to probe ground state atomic boron sputtered from the boron nitride insulating channel. Validation results from a controlled setup using an ion beam and target showed good agreement with a simple finite-element model. Application of the sensor for measurements of two Hall thrusters, the H6 and SPT-70, is described. The H6 was tested at power levels ranging from 1.5 to 10 kW. Peak boron densities of 10 ± 2 × 10(14) m(-3) were measured in the thruster plume, and the estimated eroded channel volume agreed within a factor of 2 of profilometry. The SPT-70 was tested at 600 and 660 W, yielding peak boron densities of 7.2 ± 1.1 × 10(14) m(-3), and the estimated erosion rate agreed within ~20% of profilometry. Technical challenges associated with operating a high-finesse cavity in the presence of energetic plasma are also discussed.

Nano-Borides and Silicide Dispersed Composite Coating on AISI 304 Stainless Steel by Laser-Assisted HVOF Spray Deposition

The study concerned a detailed microstructural investigation of nano-borides (Cr2B and Ni3B) and nano-silicide (Ni2Si) dispersed γ-nickel composite coating on AISI 304 stainless steel by HVOF spray deposition of the NiCrBSi precursor powder and subsequent laser surface melting. A continuous wave diode laser with an applied power of 3 kW and scan speed of 20 mm/s in argon shroud was employed. The characterization of the surface in terms of microstructure, microtexture, phases, and composition were carried out and compared with the as-coated (high-velocity oxy-fuel sprayed) surface. Laser surface melting led to homogenization and refinement of microstructures with the formation of few nano-silicides of nickel along with nano-borides of nickel and chromium (Ni3B, Cr2B, and Cr2B3). A detailed microtexture analysis showed the presence of no specific texture in the as-sprayed and laser-melted surface of Cr2B and Ni3B phases. The average microhardness was improved to 750-900 VHN as compared to 250 VHN of the as-received substrate. Laser surface melting improved the microhardness further to as high as 1400 VHN due to refinement of microstructure and the presence of silicides.

Structure–property correlation in laser surface treated AISI H13 tool steel for improved mechanical properties

The present study concerns laser surface hardening (LSH) and melting (LSM) of AISI H13 tool steel using a high power continuous wave diode laser. Depth of surface hardened or melted layer increases with increase in incident laser energy density. Surface melting occurs at a higher laser energy density (>75J/mm2) and leads to the formation of inhomogeneous microstructure comprising non-uniform distribution of retained austenite, carbides (along inter-dendritic boundary) and martensite with their respective volume fractions varying with depth. Application of intermediate laser energy density (50–75J/mm2) yields a hardened layer with dispersion of ultrafine mixed carbides (M23C6, M7C3, MC or M2C). Laser treatment with a very low laser energy density (<50J/mm2) leads to formation of an over-tempered microstructure consisting of low carbon martensite and coarse carbide precipitates. Micro-tensile studies with specially machined samples from the surface melted zone following LSM with a laser energy density of 100J/mm2 records a high yield strength of 1310MPa along with poor ductility, marked by brittle failure. On the other hand, a similar sample from laser surface hardened zone treated with a laser energy density of 62.5J/mm2 yielded even higher yield strength of 1460MPa with a maximum elongation of 3.6%. Though both LSH and LSM produced higher yield strength compared to hardened and tempered AISI H13 tool steel, LSH yielded a combination of higher elongation (3.6%), than that after LSM (0.97%), with high yield strength and hence was considered a better option.