Narrow-linewidth Laser Research Articles

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

Brightness enhancement on a narrow-linewidth fiber Bragg grating-based master oscillator power amplification fiber laser

Abstract In this paper, we have experimentally demonstrated a high-power and high-brightness narrow-linewidth fiber amplifier seeded by an optimized fiber oscillator. In order to improve the temporal stability, the fiber oscillator consists of a composite fiber Bragg grating-based cavity with an external feedback structure. By optimizing the forward and backward pumping ratio, the nonlinear effects and stimulated Raman scattering-induced mode distortion of the fiber amplifier are suppressed comprehensively, accompanied with the simultaneous improvement of beam quality and output power. The laser brightness is enhanced further by raising the threshold of transverse mode instability by approximately 1.0 kW by coiling the gain fiber with a novel curvature shape. Finally, a 6 kW narrow-linewidth laser is achieved with beam quality (M2) of approximately 1.4. The laser brightness doubled compared to the results before optimization. To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest brightness narrow-linewidth fiber laser based on a one-stage master oscillator power amplification structure.

A 7-kW narrow-linewidth fiber amplifier assisted by optimizing the refractive index of the large-mode-area active fiber

Abstract The high-power narrow-linewidth fiber laser has become the most widely used high-power laser source nowadays. Further breakthroughs of the output power depend on comprehensive optimization of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and transverse mode instability (TMI). In this work, we aim to further surpass the power record of all-fiberized and narrow-linewidth fiber amplifiers with near-diffraction-limited (NDL) beam quality. SBS is suppressed by white-noise-signal modulation of a single-frequency seed. In particular, the refractive index of the large-mode-area active fiber in the main amplifier is controlled and fabricated, which could simultaneously increase the effective mode field area of the fundamental mode and the loss coefficient of higher-order modes for balancing SRS and TMI. Subsequent experimental measurements demonstrate a 7.03 kW narrow-linewidth fiber laser with a signal-to-noise ratio of 31.4 dB and beam quality factors of Mx2 = 1.26, My2 = 1.25. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported power with NDL beam quality based on a directly laser-diode-pumped and all-fiberized format, especially with narrow-linewidth spectral emission.

5.58 kW narrow-linewidth fiber laser based on house-made confined-doped fiber

5.58 kW narrow-linewidth fiber laser based on house-made confined-doped fiber

Research Progress in Narrow Linewidth Laser Technology (Invited)

Research Progress in Narrow Linewidth Laser Technology (Invited)

Laser coherence linewidth measurement based on deterioration of coherent envelope

The laser linewidth represents a pivotal parameter for assessing laser energy concentration and coherence, thereby exerting a significant influence on aspects such as detection range, measurement resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio in the domain of laser precision measurement technology. Historically, laser linewidth measurement has predominantly relied upon evaluating energy distribution width within the frequency domain. However, this approach does not provide a direct assessment of laser coherence. In the present study, we introduce the novel concept of “coherence linewidth” as a means to directly quantify laser time–frequency coherence. This concept is based on the coherent envelope generated through delayed self-heterodyne detection. In our proof-of-concept experiment, we derive the coherence coefficient via Fourier transform of the partial coherent envelope, subsequently enabling the measurement of the coherence linewidth of the laser. Notably, the measured coherence linewidth falls between the traditional integrated linewidth and the intrinsic Lorentzian linewidth. This observation suggests that the coherence linewidth is less susceptible to the influence of low-frequency 1/f noise. The concept of coherence linewidth presented herein may serve as a promising method for the direct characterization of coherence in narrow linewidth lasers.

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.

Nano-displacement sensing by phase-diversity optical digital coherent detection utilizing alternating quadrature phase-modulated reference light

We have introduced a nanometer-scale non-contact displacement sensing method that relies on phase-diversity optical digital coherent detection. In our prior work, we used a conventional setup involving a 90°optical hybrid, two balanced amplified photodetectors (BAPs), and a narrow-linewidth (NLW) laser, which is complex and costly. However, in this paper, we have streamlined the system configuration by employing alternating quadrature phase modulation (AQPM) reference light, implemented using a phase modulator and a BAP. Moreover, we’ve employed an economical distributed feedback (DFB) laser, enabling us to achieve displacement sensing at 1.6 nm with a resolution of 0.6 nm. It is notable that there is some degradation in the performance due to the phase noise compared to the NLW laser, which achieves a displacement sensing down to 0.6 nm with a 0.2 nm resolution. Nevertheless, the DFB-AQPM system holds a significant potential for cost-effective, high-resolution nanometer-scale sensing applications.

Tunable narrow-linewidth fiber laser based on an optically controlled tunable filter

A tunable narrow-linewidth fiber laser based on an optically controlled tunable filter is demonstrated. The filter consists of ytterbium-doped polarization-maintaining fibers (YD-PMF) and polarization-maintaining fibers (PMF), which are fused together with an angle offset of 90 degrees between their fast axes. This allows for the flexible adjustment of the wavelength of the laser by changing the pump power injected into the YD-PMF. A tuning range of 16.99 nm, spanning from 1547.87 nm to 1564.86 nm, has been achieved. The laser's linewidth and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) are approximately 300 Hz and over 32.38 dB, respectively. Additionally, the fluctuation in wavelength and power of the laser are kept to less than 0.02 nm and 0.14 dB within two hours, respectively.

A Narrow-Linewidth Holmium Fiber Laser with Random Distributed Feedback Based on Artificial Rayleigh Backscattering

A Narrow-Linewidth Holmium Fiber Laser with Random Distributed Feedback Based on Artificial Rayleigh Backscattering

Self-Phase Modulation-Induced Instability of High-Power Narrow-Linewidth Fiber Amplifiers

In this study, we investigated the effect of self-phase modulation (SPM)-induced modulation instability (MI) on the spectral purity of high-power narrow-linewidth fiber amplifiers and established a spectral evolution model for SPM-induced MI in those amplifiers. The spectral evolution process of MI under different laser powers was simulated and analyzed. The results show that, at low power (100 W), SPM can cause a dynamic change in the spectral sideband secondary peak and the spectral wingspan. An increase in laser power led to the cascade effect of MI, forming a zigzag secondary sideband with a larger spectral width and causing the spectral main peak and spectral broadening to split. Experiments based on the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) of oscillating seed sources were carried out on high-power narrow-linewidth laser amplifiers, and the above spectral evolution phenomenon was observed. The experimental results indicate that the spectral evolution model based on SPM-induced MI can effectively explain the dynamic change in the spectral secondary peak, spectral wingspan and zigzag broadening phenomenon in the power amplification process of narrow-linewidth lasers.

Rayleigh backscattering-based simultaneous linewidth narrowing of a multi-wavelength DFB laser array with an arbitrary wavelength spacing.

Simultaneous linewidth narrowing of a multi-wavelength laser array with an arbitrary wavelength spacing based on Rayleigh backscattering is experimentally demonstrated. Rayleigh backscattering from a single 30 m high numerical aperture fiber (HNAF) is employed to simultaneously narrow the linewidths of a DFB laser array consisting of four distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers with different wavelengths. Experimental results show that the instantaneous linewidths of the four DFB lasers can be simultaneously narrowed from megahertz to kilohertz no matter whether the wavelength spacing between the lasers is equally spaced or not, verifying the self-adaptivity of Rayleigh backscattering on laser linewidth narrowing. The method demonstrated here is also applicable for on-chip waveguides without wavelength dependence, providing a more compact narrow linewidth laser array for the wavelength-multiplexing division system and other promising applications.

Interference filter based external-cavity diode laser with combined dual interference filters and largely adjustable feedback range

External-cavity diode lasers (ECDL) are widely used as light sources in laser spectroscopy, atomic physics, and quantum optics. This study demonstrated a home-made 852–nm ECDL with variable feedback, using the combined dual narrow-band interference filters (IFs) as the laser longitudinal mode selection element. The combination of narrow-band IFs, mainly for the current commercially available narrow-band IFs with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 0.5 nm for 780-895 nm. We designed different narrow-band IFs combinations to achieve a narrower FWHM, and applied them in the ECDL. The combination of the dual narrow-band IFs further reduces the laser linewidth. We measured the laser linewidth using a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity with a linewidth of approximately 10 kHz. The laser linewidth is approximately 176 kHz for the Single-IF-ECDL and 96 kHz for the Dual-IF-ECDL with the same feedback. In addition, we have experimentally verified the results of narrower laser linewidth and larger tuning range with increase in the feedback. The developed Dual-IF-ECDL has the capability of narrow linewidth and wavelength tunability and can be applied to precision spectroscopy, cooling and trapping of neutral atoms.

Improved Brillouin induced self-heterodyne method for measurement of narrow laser linewidth

In this paper, we present the improved stimulated Brillouin-induced self-heterodyne (ISISH) method that overcomes the effect of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise of erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) on linewidth measurements. In addition, we eliminate the beating effects of additional sideband during the measurement of narrow laser linewidth. Moreover, we experimentally demonstrate the effect of amplified spontaneous Brillouin scattering (ASBS) noise on the variation of the measured linewidth of the laser under test (LUT) with varying pump power. We measure the Brillouin amplifier gain, which is essential for the ISISH technique, as 13.5, 12.7 and 9.5 dB at the pump powers of 16, 12 and 8 mW, respectively. These results are consistent with the analytical values of 14, 13 and 12.5 dB at the same variations in pump powers as previously reported. Experimental results show the 20 dB linewidths of 4, 6.7 and 10 kHz at pump powers of 16, 12 and 8 mW, respectively. We also perform the stimulated Brillouin-induced self-heterodyne (SISH) method. However, in SISH, the obtained linewidth of the LUT differs by approximately 4, 4.3 and 5 kHz at the pump powers of 16, 12, and 8 mW, respectively. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of detuning on LUT linewidth measurement in the ISISH method. The 20 dB linewidths at 5 and 10 MHz detuned from the Brillouin peak at 16 mW pump power are 20 and 25 kHz, respectively. These values are significantly larger than the measured linewidth at the pump power of 16 mW without detuning.

Narrow linewidth and wideband tunable continuous-wave terahertz generator based on difference frequency generation with DAST crystal.

A narrow linewidth and wideband tunable continuous-wave terahertz generator with DAST crystal has been demonstrated in this paper. Two narrow-linewidth CW fiber lasers were used as the pump sources for difference frequency generation. The terahertz wave can be continuously tunable in the range of 1.1-3 THz. The maximum output power of 2.79nW was obtained at 2.568 THz. The linewidth of the output THz wave was estimated to be 56.5 MHz by fitting transmission spectrum of CO gas at 450 Pa pressure around 80.52 cm-1 with the Vogit gas model. Furthermore, the output spectra at room temperature and pressure was in good agreement with the air absorption lines in Hitran database. Moreover, the narrower absorption characteristic spectrum of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose sample has been obtained through the spectrum measurements. Therefore, it could promote the practical prospect of tunable CW-THz source, which will have good potential in THz high-precision spectroscopic detection and multispectral imaging.

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.

Stable tunable narrow-linewidth fiber laser based on random distributed feedback

Stable narrow linewidth fiber lasers with relatively high output power have broad application prospects in optical communication, sensing and precision measurement, due to their high coherence and low noise characteristics, which are the main requirements to increase the detection range and accuracy of these systems. Obtaining narrow linewidth laser output with improved performance has been one key topic in the field of laser science and technology. Here, we propose a combination of transmission and reflection of randomly distributed Bragg grating arrays to compress the linewidth of laser emission in an Erbium-doped fiber system at the 1550 nm band, thereby providing a selective reflection-transmission channel effect without too many feedback points. A stable narrow linewidth fiber laser with a linewidth of 570 Hz (output power of 6 mW) and 830 Hz (output power amplified to 25 mW), a maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) greater than 63 dB, and a wavelength adjustable in the range of 445 pm is realized.

Fabrication of a Counter-Directional Pump/Signal Combiner with Built-In Mode Field Adapter

This article introduces a novel counter-directional pump/signal combiner with a built-in mode field adapter. This combiner offers additional functionality to address the problem of mode field mismatch between the gain fiber and delivery fiber, which occurs when using a large-core (50 μm) signal fiber to suppress stimulated Raman scattering. The combiner exhibits negligible degradation in beam quality as a result of implementing mode field matching and employing an effective feedback alignment technique. The beam quality of the mode field adapter integrated in the combiner is improved by 10%, compared to the conventional approach, thanks to the reduction in splicing points and the prevention of fusion loss caused by tapering-induced cladding diameter mismatch. The combiner demonstrates an average pump coupling efficiency of 98.5% and a temperature rise coefficient of less than 10 °C/kW without active cooling. Furthermore, an integrated device based on the combiner is fabricated to shorten the length of delivery fiber, therefore mitigating the effects of stimulated Raman scattering. All those techniques mentioned above are utilized in a narrow linewidth laser system, resulting in an output of approximately 5840 W with a nearly single-mode characteristic.

L-Band Erbium Fiber Laser with Tunable and Narrow Sub-kHz Linewidth Output

In this paper, a wavelength-selectable erbium-doped fiber (EDF) laser in L-band bandwidth with a simple structure and low cost is described. To obtain stable single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) and narrow laser linewidth, the 2 m unpumped EDF-based saturable absorber (SA) and 100 m single-mode fiber (SMF)-induced Rayleigh backscattering (RB) injection effect are cascaded in the ring cavity of the fiber laser. The EDF SA and feedback RB injection can cause the auto-tracking ultra-narrow bandwidth filter effect to suppress the multiple longitudinal mode oscillations and narrow the laser linewidth. Thus, the tunable SLM wavelength output of the EDF laser with sub-kHz linewidth can be achieved. In the measurement, two EDF ring lasers can be executed when the placement of EDF-based SA and SMF-induced RB are switched to experiment with different output characteristics. The experimental results show that the wavelength bandwidths of the two lasers are between 1558.0 and 1618.0 nm. Additionally, the optimal optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), wavelength linewidth, output power, and stability of the presented EDF laser configuration are also achieved and discussed.

Linear polarization and narrow-linewidth external-cavity semiconductor laser based on birefringent Bragg grating optical feedback

We demonstrate an external-cavity semiconductor laser (ECSL) with linear polarization and a narrow linewidth. A birefringent Bragg grating prepared by a femtosecond laser point-by-point technique in a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) is used to provide external-cavity feedback, and its polarization-dependent characteristics enable selection of the main polarization mode and linewidth narrowing of the ridge waveguide emission gain chip (GC). This compact and robust ECSL achieves an output power of > 60 mW and a polarization extinction ratio (PER) of > 30 dB. We simulate and calculate the linewidth and injection current, while a Lorentz linewidth of 2.58 kHz is obtained based on delayed self-heterodyne beat frequency measurement. This flexible and cost-effective solution allows realization of a compact ECSL with linear polarization and a narrow linewidth.