Current-modulated Diode Laser Research Articles

High-Resolution and Large-Dynamic-Range π-Phase-Shifted FBG Sensor by a Current Modulated Diode Laser

We present a high-resolution and large dynamic range π-phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (π-PSFBG) temperature sensor. A current modulated laser diode with a linearized optical frequency sweep is used to interrogate the sensor. The sensor is comprised of a π-PSFBG sensing head and an HCN gas cell. The gas cell functions as an absolute frequency reference to compensate for the laser frequency drift. The reflection spectrum is sent to a lock-in amplifier to generate the error signal, proportional to the first order derivative of the spectrum. The center frequency difference that carries sensing information between the π-PSFBG and HCN gas cell is calculated by cross-correlation of their error signals. A sinusoidal modulation enables to move the data processing from low-frequency stage to high-frequency stage, by phase-sensitive detection and low-pass filtering, the interferences caused by laser intensity noises and electronic devices’ noises are significantly reduced. In the experiment, a frequency resolution of 3.696 MHz with a 55 GHz mode-hop-free tuning range, is achieved, corresponding to a temperature resolution of 2.6 mK with a dynamic range from 5 to 40 °C.

Logarithmic conversion of absorption detection in wavelength modulation spectroscopy with a current-modulated diode laser

Logarithmic-conversion data processing used in wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) with a current-modulated diode laser as its source is analyzed and compared with second-to-first ratio detection. Analytic Fourier coefficients of logarithmic-converted residual amplitude modulation (RAM) of a light source are given. An experimental setup for methane absorption detection at 1650 nm is described. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that logarithmic-converted WMS cannot only eliminate the fluctuation of received light power, but also improve the signal-to-noise ratio significantly.

Optical transfer cavity stabilization using current-modulated injection-locked diode lasers

It is demonstrated that rf current modulation of a frequency stabilized injection-locked diode laser allows the stabilization of an optical cavity to adjustable lengths, by variation of the rf frequency. This transfer cavity may be used to stabilize another laser at an arbitrary wavelength, in the absence of atomic or molecular transitions suitable for stabilization. Implementation involves equipment and techniques commonly used in laser cooling and trapping laboratories and does not require electro- or acousto-optic modulators. With this technique we stabilize a transfer cavity using a rf current-modulated diode laser which is injection locked to a 780nm reference diode laser. The reference laser is stabilized using polarization spectroscopy in a Rb cell. A Ti:sapphire ring laser at 960nm is locked to this transfer cavity and may be precisely scanned by varying the rf modulation frequency. We demonstrate the suitability of this system for the excitation of laser cooled Rb atoms to Rydberg states.

Single-tone frequency-modulation spectroscopy with frequency-doubled current-modulated diode laser light

We demonstrate and characterize the generation of single-tone frequency-modulated and frequency-doubled radiation at 400 MHz and 430 nm. We obtained the radiation at 430 nm by frequency doubling light from a current-modulated 860-nm diode laser, using noncritical type I phase matching in a KNbO(3) crystal. The optical spectrum of the doubled light was found to be in keeping with our expectations based on the measured frequency- and amplitude-modulation indices of the fundamental radiation. The experimentally measured diode laser and crystal parameters were used to simulate the in-phase and quadrature signals that would be observed in a single-tone frequency-modulation spectroscopy experiment.

Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy using a frequency-doubled current-modulated diode laser

We have studied atomic absorption in an argon discharge by wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with a frequency-doubled diode laser. The tunable wavelength-modulated radiation at 430 nm was generated by frequency doubling a current-modulated 860-nm diode laser in a KNbO3 crystal. 2f-, 4f- and 6f-harmonic spectra as a function of diode laser modulation depth were measured on a Doppler-broadened sample of excited argon atoms produced in a capacitively coupled plasma chamber. Characterisation of the harmonic signals was accomplished. Minimum detectable absorbances of 7.7×10-5 and 1.9×10-4 based on a 3σ criterion (σ being the standard deviation of the noise) were estimated for 2f- and 4f-harmonic detection of the frequency-doubled radiation with a time constant of 0.1 s. The concentrations of argon in the 1s4 state were found to be in the range of 3×108 to 1.2×1011 cm-3 for the experimental conditions studied.

Amplitude-squeezed, frequency-modulated, tunable, diode-laser-based source for sub-shot-noise FM spectroscopy

We have developed a frequency-modulated, tunable, amplitude-squeezed, diode-laser-based source and used it to perform FM spectroscopy on rubidium. The setup consists of a free-running diode laser injection locked by a frequency-stabilized, current-modulated diode laser. The injection-locked slave laser beam adopted the frequency spectrum of the master laser beam while rejecting residual AM in the master laser beam by more than 50 dB. Injection locking also enhanced amplitude squeezing in the slave laser beam by suppressing uncorrelated longitudinal sidemodes. The noise floor of the measurement was 0.8 dB below the shot-noise level.

Sensitive detection of NO2 using high-frequency heterodyne spectroscopy with a GaAlAs diode laser

Optical heterodyne spectroscopy has been performed by modulating the injection of a GaAlAs diode laser at 250 MHz. Sensitive and fast detection of NO2 was accomplished using phase-sensitive detection electronics. By proper adjustment of the local oscillator phase the heterodyne beat signal induced by NO2 absorption lines could be detected against zero background. A minimum NO2 absorption of 1×10−6 was measured with an effective bandwidth of 6 Hz. Increasing the detection bandwidth and scanning the diode laser very rapidly permitted detection of 5×10−4 absorption on a 100-ns time scale. The obtained results demonstrate that optical heterodyne spectroscopy with current modulated diode lasers offers the high sensitivity and fast time response required for the detection of gaseous species in pollution studies, combustion control, and industrial process monitoring.

High frequency heterodyne spectroscopy with current-modulated diode lasers

The use of current-modulated semiconductor lasers for optical heterodyne spectroscopy has been investigated at modulation frequencies up to 2.6 GHz. The current modulation produces a simultaneous frequency and amplitude modulation of the laser output. A characteristic heterodyne spectrum occurs when the modulated laser probes a narrow absorption line. In order to analyze the measured spectra, a complete line shape theory has been derived for heterodyne spectroscopy with frequency- and amplitude-modulated laser light. The results show how the obtained signals depend on the modulation frequency and the phase difference between the frequency and the amplitude modulation. The measurement technique permits investigation of the FM-AM phase difference of current-modulated semiconductor lasers.