Laser Configuration Research Articles

MEMS-metasurface-enabled mode-switchable vortex lasers.

Compared to conventional lasers limited to generating static modes, mode-switchable lasers equipped with adjustable optics significantly enhance the flexibility and versatility of coherent light sources. However, most current approaches to achieving mode-switchable lasers depend on conventional, i.e., inherently bulky and slow, optical components. Here, we demonstrate fiber lasers empowered by electrically actuated intracavity microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based optical metasurface (MEMS-OMS) enabling mode switching between fundamental Gaussian and vortex modes at ~1030 nm. By finely adjusting the voltage applied to the MEMS mirror, high-contrast switching between Gaussian (l = 0) and vortex (l = 1, 2, 3, and 5, depending on the OMS arrangement) laser modes is achieved, featuring high mode purities (>95%) and fast responses (~100 microseconds). The proposed intracavity MEMS-OMS-enabled laser configuration provides an at-source solution for generating high-purity fast-switchable laser modes, with potential applications ranging from advanced optical imaging to optical tweezers, optical machining, and intelligent photonics.

Three-dimensional, multi-wavelength beam formation with integrated metasurface optics for Sr laser cooling.

We demonstrate the formation of a complex, multi-wavelength, three-dimensional laser beam configuration with integrated metasurface (MS) optics. Our experiments support the development of a compact Sr optical-lattice clock, which leverages magneto-optical trapping at 461 nm and 689 nm without bulk free-space optics. We integrate six mm-scale metasurfaces on a fused silica substrate and illuminate them with light from optical fibers. The metasurfaces provide full control of beam pointing, divergence, and polarization to create the laser configuration for a magneto-optical trap. We report the efficiency and integration of the visible laser beam configuration, demonstrating the suitability of metasurface optics for atomic laser cooling.

C + L-band tunable sub-kHz linewidth single frequency fiber laser by combining a fiber sub-ring with a saturable absorber

A sub-kHz linewidth single-frequency fiber laser that can be tuned in the full range of C + L band is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A broad band gain fiber by bidirectional pumping combining with a wide tunable filter is used to realize 75.87 nm tuning range from 1529.98 to 1605.85 nm, which can be further improved if a wider tunable filter is available. To achieve single-frequency ultra-narrow linewidth laser operation, a ring-cavity laser configuration with a fiber sub-ring and a saturable absorber is utilized. The measured optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of the fiber laser is over 80 dB, the side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) can be improved to ∼60 dB, and the linewidth can be narrowed to ∼453 Hz. The output power of the laser exceeds 28 mW, and the slope efficiency is 2.05 %. This proposed fiber laser has the advantages of narrow linewidth, excellent wavelength tunability, and high output power, which is promising for the applications in optical sensing and optical communication systems.

Observation of giant group index in a multi-level 85Rb atomic medium at room temperature.

We report an experimental measurement of giant group index in the 85Rb atomic medium at room temperature via a four-level V-type scheme on the D2 line. Our experiment uses co-propagation configuration of probe and coupling lasers through an atomic sample. In this configuration, three sharp EIT windows with significant transparency depths are observed on the probe absorption spectrum. By establishing a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, we measure the dispersive curve and hence obtain the group index curve with three enhanced positive peaks at the locations of the EIT windows, interspersed with negative peaks. The amplitude of the group index curve is increased as the temperature decreases and is decreased as the temperature increases. We estimate from our experimental results the good values of the group index to be ng = 5.8 × 104 (slow light regime) and ng = -4.0 × 104 (fast light regime). We also show that the experimental measurements are in good agreement with the theoretical results.

Low-threshold distributed feedback laser based on holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystals through the oriented organic semiconductor films

A specific optimized configuration for low threshold organic semiconductor laser based on a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) transmission grating was demonstrated. Here the organic semiconductor films and phase separated liquid crystal (LC) molecules were oriented along the direction of the HPDLC grating grooves. The influence of the organic semiconductor chain orientation and the excitation polarization on the optical properties of the materials has been investigated. Especially, when polymer chain orientation, LC molecules and pump light polarization are consistent with the direction of the grating grooves, the performance of the outgoing laser is greatly improved. Up to 9.78% conversion efficiency with a threshold lower to 0.12 μJ/pulse can be obtained, indicating their potential for high-performance organic optoelectronics.

Comparison of the effects of Ho: YAG laser virtual Basket™ pulse modulation and Thulium fiber laser on kidney tissue - an ex vivo experimental study.

Through an ex vivo experimental study, we aimed to compare the effects of the Ho: YAG laser Virtual Basket (VB™) modulation and a Thulium fiber laser (TFL) on kidney tissue in different environments and using laser configurations. The 100W Ho: YAG (Cyber Ho, Quanta System, Italy) and 60W TFL (Fiber Dust, Quanta System, Italy) laser devices were used. The following laser settings were selected: power in the range of 10-60W, frequency of 20-40Hz, and energy of 0.5-1-1.5J. A medium pulse duration of 600 µsec was used for VB™, while short (spdTFL; 50 µsec) and long (lpdTFL; 15,000 µsec) were used for TFL. The tissue's incision depth (ID), vaporization area (VA), coagulation area (CA), total laser area (TLA = VA + CA), surface section (SS), and lateral effect (LE) were measured. In total, 108 experiments were conducted. No statistically significant difference in mean VA, TLA, ID, LE, or SS was observed between VB™, spdTFL, and lpdTFL in the low-power output group in saline (p > 0.05). However, the mean CA was statistically significantly higher for VB™ (p = 0.005). In saline and high-power output group, the mean VA, CA, TLA, LE, and ID were higher when using lpdTFL than other pulse durations (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.006, and p = 0.001, respectively). Similar to lpdTFL, VB™ may provide controlled dissection and incision as well as haemostasis. At different laser settings, the individual effects of laser properties (such as pulse length, energy and frequency) on tissue may be more significant.

Controlling the spectral persistence of a random laser

Random lasers represent a relatively undemanding technology for generating laser radiation that displays unique characteristics of interest in sensing and imaging. Furthermore, they combine the classical laser’s nonlinear response with a naturally occurring multimode character and easy fabrication, explaining why they have been recently proposed as ideal elements for complex networks. The typical configuration of a random laser consists of a disordered distribution of scattering centers spatially mixed into the gain medium. When optically pumped, these devices exhibit spectral fluctuations from pulse to pulse or constant spectra, depending on the pumping conditions and sample properties. Here, we show clear experimental evidence of the transition from fluctuating (uncorrelated) to persistent random laser spectra, in devices in which the gain material is spatially separated from the scattering centers. We interpret these two regimes of operation in terms of the number of cavity round trips fitting in the pulse duration. Only if the cavity round-trip time is much smaller than the pulse duration are modes allowed to interact, compete for gain, and build a persisting spectrum. Surprisingly this persistence is achieved if the pumping pulse is long enough for radiation in the cavity to perform some 10 round trips. Coupled-mode theory simulations support the hypothesis. These results suggest an easy yet robust way to control mode stability in random lasers and open the pathway for miniaturized systems, as, for example, signal processing in complex random laser networks.

Diarylethene derivative photoionization control via two-color two-laser optical manipulation in the presence of cyclodextrins

In this study, the photodynamics of 1,2-bis(2,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexafluoro-1-cyclopentene (DE) was investigated in the presence of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes and under the influence of one- and two-laser excitations. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the ionization quantum yield of DE and how it is affected by the type of CD and laser configuration. Specifically, DE/CD was flash photolyzed using a single laser (355 nm) or a double laser (355 nm and 532 nm) and observed at a wavelength of 720 nm to examine the transient absorption of hydrated electrons. The ionization efficiency with the two lasers was found to exceed that with the single laser. This suggests the existence of a two-step process involving S0→S1 and S1→Sn singlet transitions in the two-photon ionization (TPI) of DE. Furthermore, when the ring-closing isomer of DE was initiated via laser irradiation at 532 nm, the photoionization efficiency increased, especially in the presence of γ-CD. This implies that the 532-nm irradiation, which is not directly involved in TPI, contributed to promoting the TPI of DE, thus increasing its photo-steady state (saturation). Thus, the possibility of using CD-containing lasers to control photochemical reactions with photo-steady state processes was demonstrated. This investigation contributes to a broader understanding of the potential applications and underlying mechanisms of photochromic materials influenced by multi-laser interactions.

2 × 4 kW near-single-mode laser output assisted by an optimized bidirectional oscillating-amplifying integrated fiber laser configuration

Bidirectional output oscillating-amplifying integrated fiber laser (B-OAIFL) can achieve the two-ports laser amplification based on a single cavity, showcasing a promising prospect. In order to improve both the laser power and beam quality, we first simulate and optimize the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effect in the B-OAIFL. The simulation results show the SRS effect can be suppressed by optimizing the diameter as well as the length of the active fiber at different locations. With the guidance of theoretical and experimental analysis for the combined suppression of SRS and transverse mode instability (TMI), a near-single-mode B-OAIFL with 2 × 4 kW was demonstrated. Based on this foundation, we further devoted ourselves to the pursuit of the optimization of the structure and performance. The necessity of the configuration of side pump, which was initially introduced for its exceptional performance in stabilizing temporal chaos, was reevaluated in detail. With its negative impacts on efficiency improvement and SRS suppression were analyzed and verified, we removed this configuration and finally demonstrated a more simplified design with superior performance. A total bidirectional output of 8105 W was achieved, with an O-O efficiency of 79.6% and a near-single-mode beam quality of M A 2∼1.36,M B 2∼1.63. No signs of TMI were observed, and the signal-to-SRS suppression ratio was over 38 dB. The results still demonstrate a promising potential for power scaling based on this configuration and parameters.

Linear Fiber Laser Configurations for Optical Concentration Sensing in Liquid Solutions

In this study, different configurations based on linear fiber lasers were proposed and experimentally demonstrated to measure the concentration of liquid solutions. Samples of paracetamol liquid solutions with different concentrations, in the range from 52.61 to 201.33 g/kg, were used as a case-study. The optical gain was provided by a commercial bidirectional Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) and the linear cavity was obtained using two commercial Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs). The main difference of each configuration was the coupling ratio of the optical coupler used to extract the system signal. The sensing head corresponded to a Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) tip that worked as an intensity sensor. The results reveal that, despite the optical coupler used (50:50, 60:40, 70:30 or 80:20), all the configurations reached the laser condition, however, the concentration sensing was only possible using a laser drive current near to the threshold value. The configurations using a 70:30 and an 80:20 optical coupler allowed paracetamol concentration measurements with a higher sensitivity of (−3.00 ± 0.24) pW/(g/kg) to be performed. In terms of resolution, the highest value obtained was 1.75 g/kg, when it was extracted at 20% of the output power to the linear cavity fiber laser configuration.

Dual-frequency and multi-linewidth laser based on self-injection locking for optical gyroscopes

Diverse resonant optical gyroscopes (ROG) exhibit unique lasers requirements and the optimal method involves integrating multiple functions into a singular laser device. Here, we introduce a simple dual-frequency multi-linewidth laser configuration for resonant optical gyroscopes, which uses self-injection locking technology for frequency stabilization and linewidth narrowing, generating the first narrow linewidth laser beam. Then, based on self-injection locking technology, careful adjustment of the ring cavity length has been used to achieve the second laser with Brillouin frequency shift and further narrowing of laser linewidth. In addition, external phase modulation is performed at another light port by loading the radio frequency voltage signal onto the electro-optic phase modulator to achieve the purpose of spectral broadening, which is the third broad-spectrum laser. Finally, we have successfully applied the proposed dual-frequency multi-linewidth laser in both the narrow-linewidth laser-driven traditional ROG and the broadband laser-driven ROG. This work is of significant importance for improving the versatility of lasers, reducing the testing cost and size of gyroscope. Next, the focus of future work will translate the proposed laser design to integrated photonics.

Spectrally tunable phase-biased NALM mode-locked Yb:fiber laser with nJ-level pulse energy

Applications of mode-locked fiber lasers benefit from robust and self-starting mode-locking, spectral tuning, high pulse energy and high average power. All-polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber lasers mode-locked with a phase-biased nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM) have been shown to be very robust and reliably self-starting, and provide either spectral tuning or high pulse energy, but not both. We report on a simple method for concurrent spectral tuning and nanojoule-level pulse energy scaling of an all-PM phase-biased NALM mode-locked Yb:fiber laser, which we demonstrate over a 54 nm tuning range, reaching up to 1.67 nJ pulse energy and 126 mW average power. Unlike other laser configurations, our results show that net normal dispersion is not necessary or optimal for scaling the pulse energy of this type of mode-locked fiber laser.

Robust self-injection locking to a non-confocal monolithic Fabry–Perot cavity

We demonstrate an efficient simultaneous self-injection locking of two semiconductor lasers to high-order modes of a standalone monolithic non-confocal Fabry–Perot cavity. The lasers are used to generate a low-noise microwave signal on a fast photodiode. The overall improvement of the laser spectral purity exceeds 80 dB. The observed single-sideband phase noise of X- to W-band signals is at the −110 dBc/Hz level and is limited by the fundamental thermorefractive noise of the cavity. The demonstrated cavity–laser configuration can be tightly packaged and is promising for the generation of high-frequency RF signals as well as for referencing optical frequency combs.

Mode-locked laser with multiple timescales in a microresonator-based nested cavity

Mode-locking techniques have played a pivotal role in developing and advancing laser technology. Stable fiber-cavity configurations can generate trains of pulses spanning from MHz to GHz speeds, which are fundamental to various applications in micromachining, spectroscopy, and communications. However, the generation and exploitation of multiple timescales in a single laser cavity configuration remain unexplored. Our work demonstrates a fiber-cavity laser configuration designed to generate and control pulse trains from nanosecond to picosecond timescales with a broadband output and a low mode-locking threshold. Our approach exploits a frequency mode-locking mechanism that simultaneously drives the modes of an integrated microring resonator nested within an external fiber-loop cavity, guaranteeing ultra-stable operation. By selectively filtering the nested cavity modes, we can transition from nanosecond pulses to pulse burst trains in which nanosecond and picosecond components coexist. Our laser configuration produces a train of pulses with durations of 5.1 ns and 3.1 ps at repetition rates of 4.4 MHz and 48.7 GHz, with time-bandwidth products close to the transform-limited values of 0.5 and 0.46, respectively. Moreover, in the absence of frequency modulation, we demonstrate the generation of comb spectra with an adjustable central wavelength. Our findings have the potential to significantly contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies and applications, harnessing the distinct advantages of mode-locked pulses across various scientific and engineering disciplines.

Generation of 583 fs optical pulses at 10 GHz from a regeneratively mode-locked fiber laser combining nonlinear polarization evolution

A regeneratively mode-locked erbium fiber laser was numerically investigated and experimentally demonstrated, which was able to generate a 583 fs pulse train at 10 GHz via intracavity pulse compression with nonlinear polarization evolution (NPE). To excite the NPE at such a high repetition rate, a dispersion map was intentionally introduced to obtain short pulses accompanied by high peaks through soliton-like pulse shaping. Numerical simulations indicated that steady-state oscillation with pulses below 1 ps can be successfully established using this laser configuration. Experimentally, we obtained a pulse duration of 583 fs and a 3 dB spectral width of 4.5 nm at an average output power of 15.6 mW. Simultaneously, supermode suppression of more than 80 dB was also obtained from the appropriate biased NPE.

Experimental demonstration of a nanobeam Fano laser.

Microscopic single-mode lasers with low power consumption, large modulation bandwidth, and ultra-narrow linewidth are essential for numerous applications, such as on-chip photonic networks. A recently demonstrated microlaser using an optical Fano resonance between a discrete mode and a continuum of modes to form one of the mirrors, i.e., the so-called Fano laser, holds great promise for meeting these requirements. Here, we suggest and experimentally demonstrate what we believe is a new configuration of the Fano laser based on a nanobeam geometry. Compared to the conventional two-dimensional photonic crystal geometry, the nanobeam structure makes it easier to engineer the phase-matching condition that facilitates the realization of a bound-state-in-the-continuum (BIC). We investigate the laser threshold in two scenarios based on the new nanobeam geometry. In the first, classical case, the gain is spatially located in the part of the cavity that supports a continuum of modes. In the second case, instead, the gain is located in the region that supports a discrete mode. We find that the laser threshold for the second case can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional Fano laser. These results pave the way for the practical realization of high-performance microlasers.

Switching and transformation of multi-state solitons in a slightly normal dispersion mode-locked fiber laser

Passively mode locked fiber lasers are excellent platforms for soliton generation. Here, multi-state switchable behaviors in a slightly normal dispersion mode-locked fiber laser are experimentally demonstrated with an identical configuration. A saturable absorber based on single-wall carbon nanotube is served as mode-locking device and an intrinsic birefringence spectral filtering is employed as a tunable inline filter. Consequently, with properly modifying pumping powers and orientations of polarization controller paddles, the operation regimes of the proposed laser could be reversibly switched between dissipative solitons and amplifier similaritons, and the characteristics of intermediate states are recorded. Tunable dissipative solitons with a tuning range of 38 nm and noise-like pulses could also alternatively be generated. This multi-state behavior switching could be attributed to the strong filtering caused by the limited gain bandwidth under strong pump strength. The experimental observations of these multi-state switchable transitions may offer insight into the pulse regime dynamics in the near-zero dispersion region and offer flexibility in multi-functional designs of the laser configuration, which would enable innovations in nonlinear optics and its applications.

Sub-Nanosecond, High Peak Power Yb:YAG/Cr4+:YAG/YVO4 Passively Q-Switched Raman Microchip Laser with the Emission of Multiple Pulses

This paper demonstrates the capability of sub-nanosecond, high peak power Yb:YAG/Cr4+:YAG/YVO4 passively Q-switched Raman microchip lasers at 1134 nm operated in multiple pulses mode under quasi-continuous-wave (QCW) pumping. Total pulse energy for the Stokes laser was 1.8 mJ with a 4 mm YVO4 crystal and TOC = 16%. The corresponding pulse repetition rate reached 225 kHz within a single pumping pulse. By employing a compact plane-concave cavity and 5 mm YVO4 crystal, the single pulse energy for the Raman laser was further scaled up to 44 μJ. The corresponding peak power was 95 kW. A highest output pulse repetition rate of 87.8 kHz and shortest pulse duration of 464 ps were found for the Raman laser. The results indicate that the Raman microchip laser configuration under QCW LD pumping is a promising approach for developing high peak power, commercial and portable Raman lasers with a pulse duration of several hundred-picoseconds at a pulse repetition rate of hundred kilohertz.

Tin oxide as a Q‐switcher in an Nd‐doped fiber laser

AbstractA 1089 nm Q‐switched laser has been successfully developed by using a neodymium‐doped fiber (NDF) as a gain medium and tin oxide (SnO2) material as a saturable absorber (SA). The SnO2 SA was obtained by embedding the compound into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) host polymer so that it can be easily integrated into an NDF laser (NDFL) configuration to modulate the cavity loss for pulsing operation. The laser output pulse duration and repetition rate changed from 6.7 to 4.2 µs and from 55.8 to 72.5 kHz, respectively, when the 808 nm pumping power increased from 160.0 to 252.7 mW. The laser exhibited a stable output since we recorded a signal‐to‐background noise ratio of 46.4 dB. We believe that this work is the first to address SnO2 as SA in an NDFL cavity.

Investigation of multi-keV silver x-ray sources at OMEGA

We report on the results of experiments carried out at the OMEGA laser to address the performances of silver x-ray sources across several target and laser configurations. Every target consisted of a thin silver foil and a polystyrene shield mounted on the top of the foil in order to filter the x-ray emission in some spatial directions. Seven targets were fired with ∼4 to ∼7.7 kJ of 3ω energy and various incident powers, including pre-pulsed laser pulses. The radiant energies measured by the broadband spectrometer DMX were found to range in 350–710 J/sr and 80–120 J/sr for the 0–2 keV and >2 keV spectral bands, respectively. These experimental results are in good agreement with the predictions of 2D simulations performed with the radiation-hydrodynamics code TROLL. The radiant energies measured by the broadband spectrometer miniDMX in the >2 keV band range in 40–70 J/sr and give a measurement of the emission anisotropy of the sources. The TROLL simulated electron temperatures are within the error bars of the temperatures inferred from Thomson scattering during the laser pulses for most of the shots but deviate at later times when the laser is turned off.