Spectral Chirp Research Articles

Temporal reflection from short pump pulses inside a dispersive nonlinear medium: the impact of pump parameters

We have studied, through a series of experiments and numerical simulations, how temporal reflection from an intense pump pulse inside a photonic crystal fiber is affected by parameters of the pump pulse used to form a moving high-index boundary. We used femtosecond pump pulses, which slow down inside the fiber as their spectrum red-shifts because of intrapulse Raman scattering. Temporal reflection of probe pulses occurs from such decelerating pump pulses. We changed the width and chirp of our pump pulses with a 4f pulse shaper capable of providing both spectral filtering and frequency chirping. We found that temporal refection exhibited novel features, to our knowledge, when pump pulses were made wider or chirped. In both cases, two or more reflected pulses were produced at different wavelengths in a specific range of the initial pump-probe delays. Numerical simulations reveal that the origin of such novel features is related to the complex nonlinear evolution of pump pulses inside optical fibers.

Spectral Efficient Neural Network-Based M-ary Chirp Spread Spectrum Receivers for Underwater Acoustic Communication

Spectral Efficient Neural Network-Based M-ary Chirp Spread Spectrum Receivers for Underwater Acoustic Communication

Multiple synchro-tuning chirplet transform

Time-frequency analysis (TFA) is an effective tool for characterizing non-stationary signals. Due to the limited time-frequency resolution capability, traditional TFA methods cannot achieve the optimal time-frequency representation (TFR). Based on the post-processing technique, a novel TFA method named multiple synchro-tuning chirplet transform (MSTCT) is proposed to obtain high-resolution and robust TFR for non-stationary signals. The MSTCT first estimates the spectral energy, instantaneous frequency (IF), and chirp rate (CR) of non-stationary signals with high time-frequency resolution, enabling precise energy localization on the time-frequency plane. Then, a multiple reassignment procedure is proposed to concentrate the blurry time-frequency energy and yield a better TFR. Moreover, benefiting from the multiple squeezing mechanism in the frequency axis, the MSTCT holds the potential to reconstruct the signal with high accuracy. Both the simulation results and the real-world experiment using the bat echolocation data demonstrate that the proposed MSTCT algorithm achieves superior performance in the time-frequency resolution, noise immunity, and reconstruction capability compared to the state-of-art linear TFA methods.

Quantum control via chirped coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy

A chirped-pulse quantum control scheme applicable to coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy, named as C-CARS, is presented aimed at maximizing the vibrational coherence in molecules. It implies chirping of three incoming pulses in the four-wave mixing process of CARS, the pump, the Stokes and the probe, to fulfill the conditions of adiabatic passage. The scheme is derived in the framework of rotating wave approximation and adiabatic elimination of excited state manifold simplifying the four-level model system into a ‘super-effective’ two level system. We demonstrate that the selectivity of excitation of vibrational degrees of freedom can be controlled by carefully choosing the spectral chirp rate of the pulses. The robustness, spectral selectivity and adiabatic nature of this method are advantageous for improving the existing methods of CARS spectroscopy for sensing, imaging and detection.

A 100-PW compressor based on single-pass single-grating pair

Abstract A multistep pulse compressor (MPC) based on a single-pass single-grating pair (SSGP) is proposed to simplify the entire multi-petawatt (PW) compressor. Only one grating pair with relatively long perpendicular distance is used to generate the same amount of spectral chirp compared with a four-grating main compressor. As SSGP compressor induces the largest spatial chirp, it can introduce the best beam-smoothing effect to the laser beam on the last grating. When considering the diffraction loss of only two gratings, the total compression efficiency of the SSGP compressor is even larger than that of a four-grating main compressor. Furthermore, the wavefront aberration induced by the SSGP compressor can be better compensated by using deformable mirrors; however, it is difficult or complicated to be well compensated in a four-grating compressor. Approximately 50–100 PW laser pulses can be obtained using this SSGP-based multistage-smoothing MPC with a single laser beam.

Towards high photon density for Compton scattering by spectral chirp

Scattering of intense laser pulses on high-energy electron beams allows one to produce a large number of X and gamma rays. For temporally pulsed lasers the resulting spectra is broadband which severely limits practical applications. One could use linearly chirped laser pulses to compensate that broadening. We show for laser pulses chirped in the spectral domain that there is the optimal chirp parameter at which the spectra has the brightest peak. Additionally, we use catastrophe theory to analytically find this optimal chirp value.

Analysis of the phase-locking dynamics of a III-V-on-silicon frequency comb laser

We present the detailed characterization of the phase dynamics of a telecom hybrid III-V-on-silicon passively mode-locked laser with a ring cavity. We explore the various regimes of operation as a function of gain current and saturable absorber bias voltage. We use a stepped-heterodyne measurement to quantify the spectral chirp and reconstruct the pulse envelope. With this technique, we are able to identify regimes of near-transform-limited operation, and we assess the degradation of mode-locking in the comb phase relationship when saturable absorber bias voltage is changed. Finally, we present a preliminary study of the phase-locking in hybrid mode-locked operation and demonstrate transform-limited pulses.

Transient grating spectroscopy of β-carotene pumped with spectrally chirped pulses

Nonlinear optical responses of β-carotene were investigated upon excitation using chirped pulses. We especially focus on spectrally resolved transient grating (TG) signals to discuss the influence of the spectral chirp over a wide spectral range. A significant change in the TG signal was observed when negatively chirped pulses were used. The experimental results were qualitatively reproduced by employing the Brownian oscillator model. The relationship between the wave packet motion in the excited state and spectral chirp is discussed. It is concluded that the third order nonlinear optical response reflects the competition between the spectral chirp and the energy separation of the potential curves.

Passive Mode-Locking of 3.25 μm GaSb-Based Cascade Diode Lasers

Passively mode-locked type-I quantum well cascade diode lasers emitting near 3.25 μm were designed, fabricated, and characterized. The deep etched ∼5.5-μm-wide single spatial mode ridge waveguide design utilizing split-contact architecture was implemented. The epi-side-up mounted 3-mm-long ridge lasers with both 2.7-mm-long gain and 300-μm-long absorber sections forward biased operated in the continuous wave regime with above 12 mW of output power at 20 °C. The devices with a reverse-biased absorber section generated ∼10 ps pulses at the repetition rate of ∼13.2 GHz with average power exceeding 1 mW. The laser emission spectrum in the mode-locked regime comprised a smooth bell-shape-like frequency comb covering about a 20 nm range at the full-width at half-maximum level. Second-order interferometric autocorrelation studies revealed a strong spectral chirp in the pulse. The intermodal beat note of the Lorentzian shape with a 180 kHz line width was observed, corresponding to pulse-to-pulse timing jitter of ...

Chirp-coefficient bisection iteration method for phase-intensity reconstruction of chirped pulses

A new method is proposed to systematically measure the phase-intensity information of chirped pulses that is based on the chirp-coefficient bisection iteration (CBI) concept. Through the CBI procedure with measured spectrum and temporal intensity profiles (or intensity autocorrelations), spectral and temporal amplitude–phase information can be rapidly retrieved. We experimentally verified that our method has high precision for nanosecond- and picosecond-level pulses and low precision for femtosecond-level pulses. Our proposed method does not require a sophisticated setup and has the advantage of accurate determination of temporal and spectral chirp coefficients with various orders. It also has lower cost, simple operation, in particular covers a wider measurement range than the main current methods. Moreover, the retrieved waveforms can reveal both the pulse shape and the actual intensity with spectral and temporal chirped coefficients of various orders, which can be directly used in various pulse propagation analyses such as chirped pulse amplification.

Harmonic spectral modulation of an optical frequency comb to control the ultracold molecules formation

A method for creation of ultracold molecules by stepwise adiabatic passage from the Feshbach state to the fundamentally ground state using an optical frequency comb is presented within a semiclassical multilevel model. The sine modulation of the spectral phase of the comb leads to the creation of a quasi-dark dressed state. An insignificant population of the excited state manifold in this dark state provides an efficient way of mitigating decoherence in the system. In contrast, the cosine modulation does not lead to the quasi-dark state formation. The results demonstrate the importance of the parity of the spectral chirp in quantum control.

Self-compressed, spectral broadening of a Yb:YAG thin-disk amplifier.

We demonstrate pulse shortening of 1-ps Yb:YAG thin-disk regenerative amplifier to 500 fs by cross-polarized wave generation (XPW) in a 6 mm BaF2 crystal. The process is self-compressed and has 8.5% conversion efficiency corresponding to 18 µJ energy. Our theoretical and experimental investigation shows that the factor of 3 spectral broadening and pulse shortening in ps-XPW-generation only happens in unsaturated regime. We demonstrate that the initial spectral chirp affects the spectral broadening and pulse shortening of XPW pulses.

High-energy plain and composite pulses in a laser modeled by the complex Swift–Hohenberg equation

In this work, new plain and composite high-energy solitons of the cubic–quintic Swift–Hohenberg equation were numerically found. Starting from a composite pulse found by Soto-Crespo and Akhmediev and changing some parameter values allowed us to find these high energy pulses. We also found the region in the parameter space in which these solutions exist. Some pulse characteristics, namely, temporal and spectral profiles and chirp, are presented. The study of the pulse energy shows its independence of the dispersion parameter but its dependence on the nonlinear gain. An extreme amplitude pulse has also been found.

Quantum dynamics of a two-state system induced by a chirped zero-area pulse

It is well known that area pulses make Rabi oscillation and chirped pulses in the adiabatic interaction regime induce complete population inversion of a two-state system. Here we show that chirped zero-area pulses could engineer an interplay between the adiabatic evolution and Rabi-like oscillations. In a proof-of-principle experiment utilizing spectral chirping of femtosecond laser pulses with a resonant spectral hole, we demonstrate that the chirped zero-area pulses could induce, for example, complete population inversion and return of the cold rubidium atom two-state system. Experimental result agrees well with the theoretically considered overall dynamics, which could be approximately modeled to a Ramsey-like three-pulse interaction, where the $x$- and $z$- rotations are respectively driven by the hole and the main pulse.

State-Specific Collision Dynamics of Molecular Super Rotors with Oriented Angular Momentum.

An optical centrifuge pulse drives carbon dioxide molecules into ultrahigh rotational states with rotational frequencies of ω ≈ 32 THz based on the centrifuge frequency at the full width at half-maximum of the spectral chirp. High-resolution transient IR absorption spectroscopy is used to measure the time-evolution of translational and rotational energy for a number of states in the range of J = 0-100 at a sample pressure of 5-10 Torr. Transient Doppler profiles show that the products of super rotor collisions contain substantial amounts of translational energy, with J-dependent energies correlating to a range of ΔJ propensities. The transient population in J = 100 is short-lived, indicating rapid relaxation of high J states; populations in J = 36, 54, and 76 increase overall as the super rotor energy is redistributed. Transient line profiles for J = 0 and 36 are consistently narrower than the initial ambient sample temperature, showing that collision cross sections for super rotors increase with decreasing collision energy. Quantum scattering calculations on Ar-CO2(j) collisions are used to interpret the qualitative features of the experimental results. The results of this study provide the groundwork for developing a more complete understanding of super rotor dynamics.

Optical Sensor for Steel Corrosion Monitoring Based on Etched Fiber Bragg Grating Sputtered With Iron Film

An optical sensor for steel corrosion monitoring based on etched fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sputtered with iron film is developed. The sensor is fabricated by magnetron sputtering an iron film on an etched FBG, and tested in sodium chloride solution. The chemical composition, structure, and morphology of film are investigated by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and so on. The central wavelength shift and peak power of the FBG are analyzed with a spectral meter. The experimental results show that the wavelength shift and spectral chirp are related to the corrosion of iron film, and the sensor is able to monitor the status of iron in the corrosion process.

Characterization of Stridulatory Structures and Sounds of the Larger Mexican Pine Beetle,Dendroctonus approximatus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

We report the first description and analysis of acoustic signals and structures in the larger Mexican pine beetle, Dendroctonus approximatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae).We recorded acoustic signals during two behavioral contexts, disturbance and male-female interactions. The relationship between size and sound production was assessed by comparing temporal and spectral chirp characteristics with body size and sound-producing organs. During male-female interactions, males first produce the interrupted chirp, a relatively long chirp (x = 214.36 ± 5 ms) interspersed with periods of silence. Once inside female galleries, males switch to a simple chirp. Females produce chirps in response to male acoustic signals and disturbances. For male chirps produced in response to disturbance, frequency was positively correlated with the density of ridges on stridulatory structures and inversely correlated with beetle size characteristics. Small males were more likely to produce high frequency chirps when disturbed, compared with larger males. These results indicate that acoustic signals may be limited by morphology and size in bark beetles.

Wavelength Dependence of the Sensitivity of All-Fiber Refractometers Based on the Singlemode–Multimode–Singlemode Structure

In this paper, the wavelength dependence of the sensitivity of all-fiber refractometers based on the singlemode-multimode-singlemode fiber structure, in which a piece of no-core fiber (NCF) is used to serve as the multimode section, is investigated via numerical simulations and experiments. We found that the sensitivity of a refractometer is linearly proportional to the wavelength of the dip/peak in the transmission spectrum that is chosen to measure the refractive index (RI) change. Because the wavelength shift is larger for a dip/peak at a longer wavelength than at a shorter wavelength, a linear spectral chirp will occur in the transmission spectrum when the surrounding RI changes. We also found that the sensitivity significantly increases with the decrease in the diameter of the NCF and is independent of its length. The experimental results agree well with the numerical predictions.

Ultra-broadband fiber optical parametric amplifier pumped by chirped pulses.

We numerically and experimentally demonstrate ultra-broadband fiber optical parametric amplification in a microstructured fiber pumped by stretched short pulses. The chirped pump pulse induces a temporally spread spectral gain suitable for optical parametric chirped pulse amplification in fibers. Numerical simulation shows ~45 dB flat gain with more than 70 nm bandwidth, allowing sub-35 fs pulse amplification around 1 μm with reduced gain narrowing. This amplification principle is experimentally confirmed by measuring the instantaneous spectral gain band and related chirp.

Flat-top picosecond pulses generated by chirped spectral modulation from a Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier for pumping few-cycle optical parametric amplifiers

In this paper we present an optically synchronized Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier optimized for use as a preamplifier in a few-cycle optical parametric chirped pulse amplification pump laser. In the pump amplification process we employ a combination of spectral modulation and chirping in order to control and optimize the temporal shape of the pulses. We report on a comparative study of two methods for generating near-flat-top or custom real-time variable-shaped pump pulses using either controlled chirp and shaping of the spectrum of the pulses seeding a regenerative amplifier or intracavity spectral filtering to broaden the gain bandwidth of the system. We show that in addition to minimizing gain narrowing and B-integral, the efficiency of the cascaded nonlinear processes of the parametric amplifiers can be increased.