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Electro-optic periodically poled lithium niobate Bragg modulator as a laser Q-switch
1Institute of Photonics Technologies, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsinghua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
Optics Letters
|March 30, 2007
Summary
We developed an electro-optic Bragg modulator using periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) for laser applications. This PPLN modulator successfully functioned as a Q-switch in a laser system, producing high-energy pulses.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optics
- Materials Science
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) is a key material for nonlinear optical devices.
- Electro-optic modulators are crucial components in laser systems for controlling light.
- Bragg diffraction offers a unique mechanism for optical modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the development of an electro-optic Bragg modulator utilizing PPLN.
- To characterize the performance of the PPLN Bragg modulator.
- To demonstrate the modulator's application as a Q-switch in a solid-state laser.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a PPLN crystal with specific periodic poling.
- Measurement of the half-wave voltage for the electro-optic Bragg modulator.
- Integration of the PPLN Bragg modulator into a Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser cavity.
Main Results:
- A half-wave voltage of 160 V was measured for the PPLN Bragg modulator at 1064 nm.
- The PPLN Bragg modulator was successfully employed as a Q-switch.
- The Q-switched laser produced 7.8 ns pulses with 201 microJ energy at a 10 kHz repetition rate.
Conclusions:
- PPLN is a viable material for high-performance electro-optic Bragg modulators.
- The demonstrated PPLN Bragg modulator is effective for Q-switching solid-state lasers.
- This technology enables efficient generation of high-energy nanosecond laser pulses.
