Narrow-linewidth Laser Source Research Articles

High-power narrow-linewidth tunable blue laser diode array utilizing a blazed grating external cavity

High-power, narrow-linewidth blue laser sources have been in high demand for applications in laser pumping and spectral beam combining. In this paper, a blue laser source, consisting of 12 transistor-outline (TO) packaged laser diodes (LD), is established through space beam combining. An improved external cavity (EC) utilizing a blazed grating (BG), a beam splitter, and a beam expander is investigated. Through injection feedback and mode competition, a laser output, with 31.2 W power, 445.04 nm central wavelength, 0.18 nm full-width at half maximum (FWHM) linewidth, is achieved at a driving current of 3.0 A. A tunable range of 3.6 nm is observed at 2.0 A driving current. Additionally, the effect of the deformation of the aluminum-coated grating under a high-intensity blue laser is examined. The external cavity requires a moderately efficient blazed grating and prevents potential damage caused by high absorption and thermal stress concentration. The system exhibits excellent temporal stability in both output power and spectrum. Moreover, wavelength-locking experiments using both a volume Bragg grating (VBG) and a surface grating (SG) are conducted to serve as comparative tests for this study. Compared with volume Bragg gratings, blazed gratings offer spectral tunability and are insensitive to temperature perturbations and mechanical stress. Compared with surface gratings, blazed gratings offer a relatively high threshold and stable performance at high driving currents. Furthermore, blazed gratings are more cost-effective than VBGs, providing a competitive advantage. To the best of our knowledge, it’s the first blue laser source with over 30 W output and 0.18 nm FWHM linewidth utilizing a blazed grating external cavity.

Sensitivity improvement of the closed-loop resonant fiber-optic gyroscope interrogated with a broadband source

The resonant fiber-optic gyroscope (RFOG), interrogated with a broadband light source, represents an intriguing optical gyroscope that has been proposed as an extension of the traditional RFOG, which is driven by a narrow linewidth laser source. The implementation of a closed-loop detection system enhances the linearity and dynamic range of the gyroscope output. This paper is devoted to improving the sensitivity of the closed-loop broadband source-driven RFOG. First, a model for analysis and optimization of the feedback loop gain of a closed-loop broadband source-driven resonant fiber-optic gyroscope (RFOG) is developed, and the feedback loop gain is optimized. The experimental results indicate that the influence of the feedback loop noise on the gyro performance can be neglected. Subsequently, the noise contributions, including the shot noise, detector noise, and relative intensity noise, in the broadband source-driven RFOG system are investigated. A theoretical derivation and experimental verification of an expression for the reduction of the relative intensity noise by a fiber-optic ring resonator are presented. Finally, a packaged broadband source-driven RFOG prototype using a 175 m long fiber coil with an average diameter of 5.7 cm was constructed and evaluated. The experimental results demonstrate that the prototype achieves navigation-grade precision with an angular random walk of 0.003∘/h1/2 and a bias instability of 0.005°/h.

Recent Progresses on Hybrid Lithium Niobate External Cavity Semiconductor Lasers.

Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) has become a promising material platform for large scale photonic integrated circuits (PICs). As an indispensable component in PICs, on-chip electrically tunable narrow-linewidth lasers have attracted widespread attention in recent years due to their significant applications in high-speed optical communication, coherent detection, precision metrology, laser cooling, coherent transmission systems, light detection and ranging (LiDAR). However, research on electrically driven, high-power, and narrow-linewidth laser sources on TFLN platforms is still in its infancy. This review summarizes the recent progress on the narrow-linewidth compact laser sources boosted by hybrid TFLN/III-V semiconductor integration techniques, which will offer an alternative solution for on-chip high performance lasers for the future TFLN PIC industry and cutting-edge sciences. The review begins with a brief introduction of the current status of compact external cavity semiconductor lasers (ECSLs) and recently developed TFLN photonics. The following section presents various ECSLs based on TFLN photonic chips with different photonic structures to construct external cavity for on-chip optical feedback. Some conclusions and future perspectives are provided.

Scalable single-microring hybrid III-V/Si lasers for emerging narrow-linewidth applications.

Silicon photonics, compatible with large-scale silicon manufacturing, is a disruptive photonic platform that has indicated significant implications in industry and research areas (e.g., quantum, neuromorphic computing, LiDAR). Cutting-edge applications such as high-capacity coherent optical communication and heterodyne LiDAR have escalated the demand for integrated narrow-linewidth laser sources. To that effect, this work seeks to address this requirement through the development of a high-performance hybrid III-V/silicon laser. The developed integrated laser utilizes a single microring resonator (MRR), demonstrating single-mode operation with a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) exceeding 45 dB, with laser output power as high as 16.4 mW. Moving away from current hybrid/heterogeneous laser architectures that necessitate multiple complex controls, the developed laser architecture requires only two control parameters. Importantly, this serves to streamline industrial adoption by reducing the complexity involved in characterizing these lasers, at-scale. Through the succinct structure and control framework, a narrow laser linewidth of 2.79 kHz and low relative intensity noise (RIN) of -135 dB/Hz are achieved. Furthermore, optical data transmission at 12.5 Gb/s is demonstrated where a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 dB is measured.

Miniature narrow-linewidth 1 μm laser

A self-injection locking scheme has the potential to narrow the linewidth of lasers in a compact setup. Here, we report a narrow linewidth laser source near 1 μm by the self-injection locking scheme using a Fabry–Pérot (FP) hollow resonator with a high-quality factor (Q > 108). The measured fundamental linewidth of the laser is 41 Hz, and a coarse tuning range over 5.5 nm is achieved by changing the driving current of the laser source. Meanwhile, a fine-tuning range of 373 MHz is achieved without mode hops by changing the voltage applied to the PZT on the resonator. More importantly, benefiting from the low thermal refractive noise and low thermal expansion of the FP hollow resonator, the beat-note linewidth and the frequency Allan deviation are measured to be 510.3 Hz in and 10−11 (1 s of averaging time), respectively, by using a fully stabilized frequency comb as a reference. Such a high-performance laser is fully integrated with a palm-sized package (52.3 ml) for field-deployable applications.

Research on self phase-locked two-channel narrow linewidth laser

We have designed and constructed a self phase-locked two-channel narrow linewidth solid-state laser based on reflective volume Bragg grating (RVBG) as the output mirror. The resonant cavity of the laser is designed as a U-shaped structure, and two independent laser diode (LD)-side-pumped modules achieve passive phase locking of the output laser through mutual injection of photon energy. Compression of the linewidth is achieved by the RVBG. When the LD pump power was 70 W, the output powers of the two-channel lasers were 1.59 W and 1.61 W, the measured central wavelengths of the spectra were 1064.23 nm and 1064.24 nm, and the linewidths were 0.10 nm and 0.11 nm, respectively. The slope efficiencies of the two lasers are 9.5 % and 9.56 %, respectively, and their powers stability were both better than 3 %. The beam quality factors were Mx2=1.29, My2=1.31 and Mx2=1.32, My2=1.36, respectively. The interference fringes formed by the coherent superposition of two laser beams in the far field were observed through CCD, which verified the phase-locked coherence characteristics of the two lasers. The output power of the coherent combination laser is 2.64 W, with a corresponding efficiency of coherent combination is 82.5 %. The experimental results show that the laser can directly obtain two-channel narrow-linewidth continuous wave lasers output with phase locking and consistent laser intensity. Our research provides a new idea for obtaining a new type of high-quality narrow-linewidth coherent laser source

Performance of quantum-dash mode-locked lasers (QD-MLLDs) for high-capacity coherent optical communications.

We investigate the capabilities and limitations of quantum-dash mode-locked lasers (QD-MLLDs) as optical frequency comb sources in coherent optical communication systems. We demonstrate that QD-MLLDs are on par with conventional single-wavelength narrow linewidth laser sources and can support high symbol rates and modulation formats. We manage to transmit 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals up to 80 GBd over 80 km of standard single-mode fiber (SSMF), which highlights the distinctive phase noise performance of the QD-MLLD. Using a 38.5 GHz (6 dB bandwidth) silicon photonic (SiP) modulator, we achieve a maximum symbol rate of 104 GBd with 16QAM signaling and a maximum net rate of 416 Gb/s per carrier in a single polarization setup and after 80 km-SSMF transmission. We also compare QD-MLLD performance with commercial narrow-linewidth integrable tunable laser assemblies (ITLAs) and explore their potential for use as local oscillators (LOs) and signal carriers. The QD-MLLD has 45 comb lines usable for transmission at a frequency spacing of 25 GHz, and an RF linewidth of 35 kHz.

3.38 kW all-fiberized narrow linewidth fiber laser based on active polarization control using RMS-Prop algorithm

Active polarization control in high power narrow linewidth non-polarization maintained (non-PM) fiber amplifier is investigated in this paper. The non-PM fiber laser is realized employing bidirectional pump configuration seeded with narrow linewidth laser source. Root-Mean-Square propagation (RMS-prop) algorithm is developed and first employed in polarization control technique. When control system does not work, the polarization extinction ratio (PER) of output signal laser varies between 0.25 dB and 4.61 dB. When control system works, the PER stably remains above 12.2 dB during power amplification. At laser power of 3.38 kW, the PER is 12.2 dB, 3 dB linewidth is measured to be ∼0.32 nm, and beam quality (M2 factor) is M2x = 1.39, M2y = 1.50. This is the first time to realize over 3 kW linearly polarized fiber laser based on active polarization control to the best of our knowledge.

Intensity-Modulated Direct-Detection Doppler LiDAR Using Pseudo-Random Code and Optical Direct Down-Conversion of Modulation Frequency for Range and Speed Measurement of a Hard Target

Intensity-modulated direct-detection Doppler LiDAR (IM-DDDL) with pseudo-random code is demonstrated for range and speed measurement of a hard target. This IM-DDDL has key features of (i) long-time coherent signal accumulation without requirement of narrow-linewidth laser source, (ii) high receiving sensitivity with optical direct down-conversion of modulation frequency, (iii) ranging using pseudo-random code, and (iv) Doppler shift detection at baseband frequency. These features are demonstrated in preliminary experiments with fiber-based circuit at 1550 nm wavelength which has eye-safety. The employment of fiber-based configuration contributes to compactness and reliability of the instrument. Ranging function using pseudo-random code is suitable for prevention from interference between multiple LiDARs. The condition for detecting Doppler frequency shift is also shown. A moving stroke of a target within a measurement time needs to be enough larger than the wavelength of modulation frequency. Process for future practical use and application to volumetric target sensing are additionally investigated.

Label-Free, Ultralow Detection Limit DNA Biosensor Employing Tilted Fiber Bragg Grating Functionalized by 3-D Nanostructure Probes

A label-free, ultra-low detection limit DNA biosensor based on tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) is proposed and demonstrated. Optical sensing interface of the TFBG is functioned by self-assembled 3D tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN) probes with size of 17 base pairs to greatly enhance the sensing performance for DNA detection. DNA hybridization processes in various concentration of target DNA solutions are monitored according to the transmission spectral evolution of the TFBG in real-time, interrogated by narrow-linewidth laser source. Experimental results show that the detection response of the proposed DNA biosensor is ranged from 1 fM to 10 pM, with an ultra-low detection limit of ~3.4 aM. Single nucleotide mismatch recognition is also achieved. As compared to the sensing performance using single-strand DNA (ssDNA) probes, the detection limit is about 1000 times lower for using the TDN probes. The proposed DNA biosensor possesses desirable merits as label-free method, ultra-low detection limit, high specificity and fast response, making it a promising candidate for sensing applications in bioengineering, disease diagnosis and environmental science.

Research on generation of stable mid-infrared lasers with narrow linewidths based on optical feedback locking

Mid-infrared precision spectroscopy has important applications in the fields of trace gas detection and the determination of fundamental physical constants. However, due to the limited commercialization of related technologies, there is a lack of narrow linewidth laser sources or linewidth narrowing approaches in the mid-infrared region, as well as stable mid-infrared frequency standards. The most commercialized and widely used mid-infrared laser source is the quantum cascade laser (QCL). But its free-running linewidth is more than MHz scale due to the influence of laser drive current noise and temperature fluctuation. This impedes the development of precision spectroscopy in this region. In this work, we introduce a technique for generating a narrow linewidth, stable mid-infrared laser by using optical feedback frequency locking, with a high-finesse mid-infrared ultrastable Fabry-Pérot cavity as the frequency reference. The optical cavity consists of two high reflectivity mirrors separated by ultra-low expansion (ULE) material with a low temperature expansion coefficient, and its temperature is precisely controlled. And the cavity is also surrounded in a vaccum cavity made of stainless steel. All these measures ensure the cavity length and its longitudinal mode stability. By using optical feecback, a QCL is locked to the cavity, which stabilizes the laser frequency and narrows the laser linewidth. In order to improve the long-term stability of the optical feedback, an active servo is leveraged to control the feedback phase. The error signal for the servo is obtained by using the method similar to the Pound-Derver-Hall locking. In this work, we first theoretically analyze the feasibility of laser to F-P cavity frequency locking by optical feedback. We propose the laser frequency response model with a linear F-P cavity under optical feedback, and analyze the influence of the direct cavity reflection on the laser frequency. Then the experimental demonstration is conducted. Firstly, we measure the reflectivity of the cavity mirror by using cavity ring-down spectroscopy, resulting in a cavity finesse of 30200 and a cavity mode linewidth of 49.7 kHz. After that, we successfully achieve optical feedback frequency locking, and consecutive cavity transmission is observed. The error signal for the control of the optical feedback phase is used to evaluate the locking performance by converting it into the laser frequency noise. By analyzing the noise spectral density, the QCL linewidth is narrowed to 0.3 Hz on a short timescale (< 10 ms). And the long-term stability is suspected to be dedicated by the temperature variation of the optical cavity, resulting in a laser frequency drift 20 kHz/12 h. The narrow linewidth stabilized mid-infrared laser source obtained with this technique is expected to serve as an effective frequency reference source for mid-infrared precision spectroscopic measurements.

Distributed multiple vibrations detection with high frequency response assisted by dual NLL sources

Distributed multiple vibrations detection with high frequency response is still a challenging task in distributed optical fiber vibration sensors. In terms of optical interferometer based vibration sensors, the location information can not be directly demodulated. Moreover, the detectable frequency response in the optical reflectometer based vibration sensors is limited by the repetition frequency of the modulated optical pulse. In this paper, an integrated vibration sensing scheme based on two dual narrow line-width laser (NLL) sources with different wavelengths has been theoretically proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the scheme, one NLL source is used for constructing the phase sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR), and the other one is used to build the Michelson interferometer. These two vibration sensors are integrated by using a dense wavelength division multiplexer. Based on the sensing mechanism of the integrated vibration sensor, the multiple simultaneous vibration points can be located by the Φ-OTDR sensing part, meanwhile its corresponding frequencies information can be fully acquired by the Michelson part. Experiments on detection of the piezolelectric transducer (PZT) show that a spatial resolution of ∼20 m is achieved in a 4.95 km sensing fiber link based on the width of the modulated optical pulse in Φ-OTDR part was set as 200 ns. And a maximum frequency response can reach 45 kHz restricted by the vibration source of the PZT. Compared to conventional vibration structure, the proposed vibration sensing scheme can offer a series of unique advantages, such as simple signal demodulation process, high signal to noise ratio of the demodulated frequency spectrum, no high order harmonics in the frequency spectrum, no dead zone in the detectable frequency range and it can be achieved with a common sensing fiber.

3.3 kW narrow linewidth FBG-based MOPA configuration fiber laser with near-diffraction-limited beam quality

This paper demonstrates a narrow-linewidth fiber laser with near-diffraction-limited beam quality and high Raman suppression ratio by utilizing Master Oscillator Power-Amplifier structure based on narrow-bandwidth fiber Bragg gratings. The output power reaches 3.31 kW with a slope efficiency of 85.0 %. At the maximum output power, the 3 dB, 10 dB, and 20 dB linewidths are 0.40 nm, 1.20 nm, and 3.09 nm, respectively. The beam quality M2 factor is 1.32 and the Raman suppression ratio reaches 26.3 dB. A pair of narrow-bandwidth fiber gratings were used in the oscillator to compress the linewidth of the seed laser. We used backward-pumping configuration and plum-coiled gain fiber in the amplification stage to suppress the Raman effect and select transverse mode by fiber-bending. Finally, a compact all-fiber laser was obtained with narrow-linewidth, high beam quality, and effective suppression of the Raman effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest output power for a sub-nanometer-linewidth laser using narrow-bandwidth fiber gratings and none-wavelength-locked laser diodes, which achieves near-diffraction-limit beam quality. This provides a solution for high-power narrow-linewidth laser sources with high beam quality.

Widely tunable narrow linewidth laser source based on photonic molecule microcombs and optical injection locking.

We demonstrate a method to generate a widely and arbitrarily tunable laser source with very narrow linewidth. By seeding a coupled-cavity microcomb with a highly coherent single-frequency laser and using injection locking of a Fabry-Perot laser to select a single output comb tone, a high power, high side mode suppression ratio output wave is obtained. The system is demonstrated across 1530 -1585 nm with a linewidth below 8 kHz, having 5 dBm output power and sidemode suppression of at least 60 dB. Prospects of extending the performance are also discussed.

A scalable laser system at 461 nm for laser cooling and trapping of Sr atoms

The realization of compact high-power narrow-linewidth laser sources in the visible range has been a long-standing interest for the atomic physics community, especially in the field of laser cooling and trapping of alkaline-earth and alkaline-earth-like atoms. We report a simple master-slave injection-locked laser system capable of generating 500 mW at 460.86 nm with a linewidth of 1.6 MHz to realize magneto-optical trapping of strontium atoms on the 5s^{2} ^{1}mathrm {S}_{0}-5s5p ^{1}mathrm {P}_{1} transition. The master laser used is an external cavity diode laser built with an anti-reflection coated laser diode in a Littrow configuration and the slave laser is built with a recently launched single mode high power GaN laser diode. We characterized the frequency noise, injection stability, spectral purity and relative intensity noise of the laser system. The reported laser system is used routinely to produce 10^7 strontium atoms at a temperature of 10 mK in a magneto-optical trap. The laser system offers a prominent alternative to the existing frequency-doubled laser systems in terms of cost, design flexibility, electrical power consumption, ease of scaling, intensity stability, and frequency tunability. The proposed system is also an effective solution for space-based experiments where a laser system’s size, weight, and electrical power consumption are crucial design parameters.

Dual-laser self-injection locking to an integrated microresonator.

Diode laser self-injection locking (SIL) to a whispering gallery mode of a high quality factor resonator is a widely used method for laser linewidth narrowing and high-frequency noise suppression. SIL has already been used for the demonstration of ultra-low-noise photonic microwave oscillators and soliton microcomb generation and has a wide range of possible applications. Up to date, SIL was demonstrated only with a single laser. However, multi-frequency and narrow-linewidth laser sources are in high demand for modern telecommunication systems, quantum technologies, and microwave photonics. Here we experimentally demonstrate the dual-laser SIL of two multifrequency laser diodes to different modes of an integrated Si3N4 microresonator. Simultaneous spectrum collapse of both lasers, as well as linewidth narrowing and high-frequency noise suppression , as well as strong nonlinear interaction of the two fields with each other, are observed. Locking both lasers to the same mode results in a simultaneous frequency and phase stabilization and coherent addition of their outputs. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive dual-SIL theory and investigate the influence of lasers on each other caused by nonlinear effects in the microresonator.

Stabilized Narrow-Linewidth Brillouin Random Fiber Laser With a Double-Coupler Fiber Ring Resonator

A stabilized coherent narrow-linewidth Brillouin random fiber laser with low lasing noise is proposed and investigated experimentally, which employs stimulated Brillouin scattering and Rayleigh scattering in optical fibers to provide the gain and the random distributed feedback, respectively. The stabilized lasing output with suppressed noise is realized utilizing a simple structure of a double-coupler fiber ring resonator, which is composed of a section of single-mode fiber and two optical couplers with different coupling ratios. Compared with the existing free-running Brillouin random fiber lasers, much more stabilized laser output can be obtained as the double-coupler fiber ring resonator effectively acts as a narrow-bandwidth mode filter through the Vernier effect that constrains the dense random longitudinal modes competition within a small frequency range. In the experiment, a stable ultra-narrow linewidth of approximately 586.4 Hz is obtained from the laser output. Statistical analysis of mode hopping in the proposed laser indicates a great improvement in multi-mode resonances and frequency jitters with the imbedding of the ring resonator. In addition, measurement results of relative intensity noise and frequency noise of the proposed laser showcase a great suppression in mode-competition-induced lasing instability and a significant improvement in the noise level compared to the free-running Brillouin random fiber lasers. The proposed all-fiber-based stabilization technique makes a step forward for developing practically robust and reliable Brillouin random fiber lasers. Such a stabilized highly coherent narrow-linewidth laser source with low cost and low power consumption will find promising applications in high-resolution spectrometers, microwave photonics, and optical sensing.

Hyperspectral absorption of water around 2 μm based on a boradband tunable, narrow linewidth Tm-doped fiber laser

The 1.8–2.0 μm waveband contains abundant absorption lines of water, which are much stronger than those in the traditional 1.3–1.5 μm waveband, exhibiting huge potentials for absorption spectrum applications of water. In the hyperspectral absorption spectrum, physical parameters of the target molecule can be derived from lots of absorption lines within a broadband scanning range, achieving the results more robust, accurate and versatile than the results from the conventional tunable diode laser absorption spectrum in which only one or two absorption lines are used. The key to hyperspectral absorption is the development of broadband tunable, narrow linewidth laser sources emitting in the wavelength range of interest. With a tunable fiber FP filter and a fiber saturable absorber, a Tm-doped fiber laser is established, featuring broadband tenability and narrow linewidth. Taking advantage of the re-absorption characteristics of Tm-doped silica fibers, a wavelength tuning range covering 60 nm from 1910–1970 nm is obtained through the appropriately designing of the active fiber length. The measured laser linewidth at steady state is smaller than 0.1 nm, which is suitable for water absorption spectrum. Hyperspectral absorption measurements of water in air and alcohol flame are conducted. In room-temperature air, more than 40 absorption lines are recognized within a tuning range of 1910–1965 nm, while, in alcohol flame, the number of detected lines reaches about 50. Comparison with the HITRAN2016 database gives a laser linewidth of about 0.06 nm which is very close to the static linewidth measured by an OSA. The temperature of the air is derived to be 298 K with a water mole fraction of about 2%, which is consistent with the measurement of the hygrothermograph. And the calculation indicates an alcohol flame temperature of about 1220 K, which is very close to the measurement result of the thermocouple.

Widely tunable, low linewidth, and high power laser source using an electro-optic comb and injection-locked slave laser array

We propose and implement a tunable, high power and narrow linewidth laser source based on a series of highly coherent tones from an electro-optic frequency comb and a set of 3 DFB slave lasers. We experimentally demonstrate approximately 1.25 THz (10 nm) of tuning within the C-Band centered at 192.9 THz (1555 nm). The output power is approximately 100 mW (20 dBm), with a side band suppression ratio greater than 55 dB and a linewidth below 400 Hz across the full range of tunability. This approach is scalable and may be extended to cover a significantly broader optical spectral range.

Narrow linewidth characteristics of interband cascade lasers

Narrow-linewidth mid-infrared laser sources are highly demanding for high-resolution gas spectroscopy applications. Interband cascade lasers (ICLs) are power-efficient laser sources emitting in the mid-infrared range. This work unveils the low phase noise characteristics of distributed feedback ICLs driven by a battery source. We show that the measured spectral linewidth of ICLs is as narrow as 284 kHz (at a 1 ms observation time), which is smaller than those of common quantum cascade lasers. On the other hand, raising the pump current reduces the intrinsic linewidth down to 12 kHz. The linewidth broadening factor is in the range of 2.0–3.0, leading to a Schawlow–Townes linewidth as narrow as 1.6 kHz. This work suggests the high potential of developing battery-driven, high-resolution gas spectroscopy instruments using ICLs.