Multipass Cell Research Articles

Nonlinear pulse compression technique based on in multi-pass plano-cancave cavity

<sec>Ultrafast femtosecond laser system with hundreds of microjoules of energy, operating at a repetition frequency of several kilohertz, has very important applications in many fields such as medicine, mid-infrared laser generation, industrial processing, and vibrational spectroscopy. The chirped pulse amplification technique provides a feasible path to obtain light sources with those parameters. However, the use of chirped pulse amplification increases the technical complexity and cost of the laser system. Recently, the proposal of a multi-pass cell (MPC) nonlinear pulse compression technique has enabled us to obtain high power ultrafast femtosecond pulses with reduced technical complexity and cost. The device requires only two concave mirrors and a nonlinear medium in between. In the past seven years, the multi-pass cell nonlinear pulse compression technique has made great progress, making it possible to obtain ultrashort pulses with average power of more than a few kW and peak power of tens to hundreds of TW.</sec><sec>In this work, we achieve nonlinear pulse compression of a 100-W picosecond laser by using an improved nonlinear pulse compression scheme that combines a hybrid of a plano-cancave multi-pass cell and multi-thin-plate. Using fused silica plates in plano-cancave cavity, the spectral bandwidth (FWHM) of input picosecond laser is broadened from 0.24 nm to 4.8 nm due to self-phase modulation effect, the pulse is compressed to 483 fs by dispersion compensation using grating pairs, which corresponds to a compression factor of 22, and the final output power of 44.2 W is obtained. Compared with traditional MPC, the plano-cancave cavity scheme we developed is a very promising solution for nonlinear compression due to its compactness, more stability and large compression ratio.</sec>

Phase-Matched Second-Harmonic Generation from Metasurfaces Inside Multipass Cells

We demonstrate a scalable approach to increase conversion efficiencies of nonlinear metasurfaces by incorporating them into multipass cells and allowing the pump beam to pass several times through the metasurfaces. As a proof of principle, we achieve phase matching of the second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal with superlinear dependence on the number of passes. We measure an order of magnitude enhancement in the SHG signal when the incident pump traverses the metasurface up to 9 passes. The generic nature of our approach holds promise for diverse applications in nonlinear optics.

Dual-beam multipass cell compression for time-resolved femtosecond spectroscopy setups

We present a dual-beam single multi-pass cell compressor designed for applications in time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy. A single MPC simultaneously compresses two beams with different pulse energies to the same pulse duration, allowing for independent modulation of the input beams. The two beams have different, high pulse energies (82 µJ and 296 µJ) and are compressed to the same pulse duration of 50 fs with high efficiency.

Femtotesla spin-exchange relaxation-free atomic magnetometer with a multi-pass cell

Femtotesla spin-exchange relaxation-free atomic magnetometer with a multi-pass cell

Sub-2-cycle multi-mJ single-stage post-compression in a multipass cell

We report on the nonlinear temporal compression of multi-mJ pulses from a commercial Ti:Sa laser in a gas-filled multipass cell down to a record pulse duration of 4 fs with 60% overall efficiency.

A highly sensitive LITES sensor based on a multi-pass cell with dense spot pattern and a novel quartz tuning fork with low frequency

A highly sensitive LITES sensor based on a multi-pass cell with dense spot pattern and a novel quartz tuning fork with low frequency

80 W, up to 2 mJ Yb-based laser multi-pass-cell post-compression down to sub-20 fs: Experimental and numerical results

In the last years, different methods of laser pulse post-compression have proven their efficiency. Nonlinear spectral broadening achieved when coupling an ultrafast pulse in a gas-filled multi-pass-cell (MPC) provides common pulse compression factors of 10 to 20, depending on the initial pulse duration. We report here on the compression of up to 2 mJ, 330 fs pulses of an Ytterbium (Yb) based laser down to sub-20 fs (compression factor of 17), using argon-filled MPCs, at the limit of temporal pulse breakup. Numerical calculations reproducing the experiment data, and demonstrating the importance of the driver pulse profile on the shape of the broadened spectra, are discussed.

Double-channel sensors for high precision measurement of methane based on a dual-path Herriott cell.

A double-channel methane (CH4) sensor was developed using a dual-pass multipass cell (DP-MPC) and a novel method that combines averaging dual-channel concentration signals with optimized detector gain configuration. This DP-MPC features two input/output coupling holes, resulting in absorption path lengths of approximately 95.8 m and 35.8 m, respectively. By optimizing the photodetector gain configuration and averaging the dual-channel concentration signals, the detection performance of the sensor was further enhanced. Allan deviation analysis indicated that after optimizing the detector gain, the measurement precision after dual-channel averaging reaches 21 ppb with an integration time of 1 s at a concentration of 2 ppm CH4, which is approximately 1.4 times higher than the measurement precision of the long-path channel (31 ppb) and short-path channel (30 ppb). The time required to achieve a measurement precision of 21 ppb is 2.4 s for the long-path channel and 2.1 s for the short-path channel. The response speed of the dual-channel averaging is approximately 2 times that of any single channel. Meanwhile, the sensor demonstrated its stability and reliability through continuous outdoor atmospheric CH4 measurements.

Highly sensitive spectral measurement of rubidium isotopes using open multi-pass cell in tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

An open multi-pass cell was constructed to extend the interaction distance between the light and Rb atoms in the TDLAS measurement system. Compared with single-path direct absorption, the SNR of the system was improved by 3.8 times.

Experimental demonstration of a temporal pulse shaping method based on nonlinear chirp

We present a general temporal shaping method based on spectral phase-only modulation for ultrafast laser sources. We explain the working principle of this technique and use it experimentally to generate a ramp-shaped pulse at the output of a laser source delivering 30 μJ 200 fs pulses at 500 kHz. This pulse is then launched inside a multipass cell to demonstrate non-linear wavelength shifting. A spectral tunability of 11 nm around the center wavelength of 1030 nm is achieved.

Generating clean few-cycle pulses in an all-bulk multipass cell scheme

We theoretically demonstrate the generation of clean few-cycle pulses in a three-stage all-bulk multipass cell scheme. By meticulously selecting the number of round trips and the width of the material used in each cell, we are able to keep the three stages in the enhanced frequency chirp regime. The results show the generation of short and clean pulses, with compression factors approaching 50 with a final duration below 1.5 cycles.

Divided-pulse Bulk Multi-pass Cell for Generating Sub-50 fs multi-GW Peak Power Pulses

Divided-pulse Bulk Multi-pass Cell for Generating Sub-50 fs multi-GW Peak Power Pulses

DEVELOPMENT OF METHANE CARBON ISOTOPE BASED ON MID-INFRARED ABSORPTION SPECTRUM TECHNOLOGY APPLIED IN LOGGING PLATFORM

To meet the requirements of rapid measurement of oil and gas methane isotopes in offshore logging platforms, a methane carbon isotope measurement system based on mid-infrared TDLAS technology was proposed in this paper. The measuring system adopted a mid-infrared compact-linear optical structure, including an interband cascade laser (central wavelength at 2963.25 cm-1), long optical path multi-pass cell (effective optical path is 24 m) and mercury cadmium telluride detector (response wavelength is from 2 μm to 5 μm). Combining two 13CH4/12CH4 absorption lines, 2963.25 cm-1 and 2963.34 cm-1, with a high precision temperature control system using an integral separation PID control method, a temperature fluctuation within 100 mK can be achieved. In the experiment, CH4 gases with five different concentrations were configured to calibrate the measurement system, and the response linearity was more than 99%. When the integration time is 121s, the precision of isotope measurement was as low as 0.83 ‰. The average isotopic abundance of methane gas measured by the system was -10.2 ‰, and the error fluctuation was about ±0.5 ‰. It was verified that the system can rapidly measure oil and gas methane isotopes.

Simultaneous real-time detection of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and end-tidal carbon dioxide by quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy

The simultaneous detection of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is of great importance for the distinguishing and diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), providing more comprehensive information on respiratory disorders. This work demonstrates a simultaneous ETCO2 and FeNO detection system based on quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS) technology was presented. The system employs wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) technology and the Herriott multi-pass cell, achieving a detection limit of 2.82 ppb for nitric oxide (NO) and 0.05 % for carbon dioxide (CO2). Real-time exhalation measurements were performed on volunteers with varying ETCO2 and FeNO levels, and the results of the test can accurately distinguish whether the corresponding volunteer was healthy, had asthma or COPD. The effect of exhalation flow rate on the concentration of the two gases was explored. A range of expiratory flow rates were tested in the flow rate interval from 1 to 4 L/min, and there was always an inverse relationship between expiratory flow rate and FeNO concentration, but flow rate changes did not affect ETCO2 concentration. The results indicate that this detection system can simultaneously and effectively measure ETCO2 and FeNO concentrations in real-time.

Free-space quasi-phase matching.

We report a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach to phase matching of nonlinear materials based on the free-space multipass cells. This technique is applicable to noncentrosymmetric nonlinear crystals, including crystals that cannot be birefringent phase-matched or quasi-phase matched by periodic poling. Notably, by using this approach, the crystalline quartz is quasi-phase matched with the demonstrated increase of the second harmonic generation efficiency by a factor of 40. The method can be extended toward UV and THz ranges. This promises to revolutionize experimental nonlinear optics and all applications by increasing the number of available crystals for quasi-phase matching by at least one order of magnitude and brings fresh motivation for developing novel nonlinear materials.

Dispersion engineering in nonlinear multipass cells for high-quality pulse compression

A dispersion-engineered multipass cell operating in the enhanced frequency regime is presented. Through the use of dispersive cavity mirrors, the nonlinear interaction is reshaped resulting in a smoother broadened spectrum, which yields a significant improvement in compressed pulse quality. The 70 W average power output of an Yb:fiber laser at 50 kHz repetition rate is compressed from 205 fs to 32 fs with more than 96% of the energy contained in the temporal main feature of the pulse. This first, to the best of our knowledge, experimental demonstration of a pulse quality improvement through enhanced frequency chirping in a multipass cell displays the opportunities for dispersion-tailored pulse compression.

Simultaneous nonlinear spectral broadening and temporal contrast enhancement of ultrashort pulses in a multi-pass cell

We study both numerically and experimentally the use of two third-order nonlinear temporal filtering techniques, namely nonlinear ellipse rotation and cross-polarized wave generation, for simultaneous nonlinear spectral broadening and temporal contrast enhancement of mJ energy, 30 fs titanium:sapphire laser pulses in a multi-pass cell. In both cases, a contrast enhancement greater than 3 orders of magnitude is observed, together with record high conversion efficiencies. Careful balancing of nonlinearity and dispersion inside the multi-pass cell helps tune the spectral broadening process and control the post-compressed pulse duration for specific applications.

5-bit all-optical quantum random number generator based on a time-multiplexed optical parametric oscillator.

Random numbers are of critical importance in many applications, including secure communication, photonics computing and cryptography. Due to the non-deterministic nature of the quantum processes, a degenerate optical parametric oscillator (DOPO) constitutes a solution to produce true randomness. Nevertheless, one of the existing challenges for DOPO in this field is bit sequence scalability. Here, we experimentally report on the generation of 5-bit random number streams in a time-multiplexed femtosecond DOPO system. A multi-pass cell is added to elongate the OPO cavity to scale up the bit sequences. To this end, for a ∼15 m long all free space OPO cavity, resonating 5 signal pulses with a repetition rate of 50 MHz is demonstrated. The above-threshold binary phase nature originates from vacuum fluctuations of a DOPO ensuring the randomness of the system. The phase state of the output is characterized by the interference pattern between the output pulses and the fundamental pump pulses. Different bit sequences are presented here by turning on and off the OPO. Conditional probability is performed to verify the randomness of the output for 1200 bits. Our scheme provides a new direction for an all-optical random number generator.

A white cell based broadband transient UV-vis absorption spectroscopy with pulsed laser photolysis reactors for chemical kinetics under variable temperatures and pressures

UV-vis spectroscopy is widely used for kinetic studies in physical chemistry, as species’ absolute cross-sections are usually less sensitive to experimental conditions (i.e., temperature and pressure). Here, we present the design and characterization of a multipass UV-vis absorption spectroscopy white cell coupled to a pulsed-laser photolysis flow reactor. The glass reactor was designed to facilitate studies of gas phase chemical reactions over a range of conditions (239–293 K and 10–550 Torr). Purged windows mitigate contamination from chemical precursors and photolysis products. We report the measured impact of this purging on temperature uniformity and the absorption length and present some supporting flow calculations. The combined optical setup is unique and enables the photolysis laser to be coaligned with a well-defined absorption pathlength probe beam. This alignment leverages the use of one long-pass filter to increase the spectrum flatness and increase the light intensity vs other systems that use two dichroic mirrors. The probe beam is analyzed with a dual exit spectrograph, customized to split the light between an intensified CCD and photomultiplier tube, enabling simultaneous spectrum and single wavelength detection. This multipass system yields a pathlength of ∼450 cm and minimum observable concentrations of ∼3.7 × 1011 molecule cm−3 (assuming cross-sections ∼1.2 × 10−17 cm2). The temperature profile across the reaction region is ±2 K, defined by the worst-case temperature of 239 K, validated by measurements of the N2O4 equilibrium constant. Finally, the system is implemented to study the simplest Criegee intermediate, demonstrating the instrument performance and advantages of simultaneous spectrum and temporal profile measurements.

A database of aircraft measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) with high temporal and spatial resolution during 2011–2021

Abstract. To understand tropospheric air pollution at regional and global scales, the SPIRIT (SPectromètre Infra-Rouge In situ Toute altitude) airborne instrument was developed and used on aircraft to measure volume mixing ratios of carbon monoxide (CO), an important indicator of air pollution, during the last decade. SPIRIT provides high-quality CO measurements with 1σ precision of 0.3 ppbv at a time resolution of 1.6 s thanks to the coupling of a quantum cascade laser to a Robert optical multi-pass cell. It can be operated on different aircraft such as Falcon-20 and ATR-42 from the German Aerospace Agency (DLR) and from SAFIRE (CNRS-CNES-Météo France). With support from various projects, measurements were taken for more than 200 flight hours over three continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa), including two intercontinental transects (Europe–Asia and Europe–Africa). Levels of CO and its spatial distribution are briefly discussed and compared between different regions/continents. CO generally decreases with altitude except in some cases, indicating the important contribution of long-distance transport to CO levels. A 3D trajectory mapped by CO level was plotted for each flight and is presented in this study (which includes a Supplement). The database is archived in the AERIS database (https://doi.org/10.25326/440), the French national center for atmospheric observations (Catoire et al., 2023). In addition, it could help to validate model performance and satellite measurements. For instance, the database covers measurements at high-latitude regions (i.e., Kiruna, Sweden, 68∘ N), where satellite measurements are still challenging, and at low-latitude regions (West Africa and Southeast Asia), where in situ data are scarce and satellites need more validation by airborne measurements.