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Self-starting Ti:sapphire holographic laser oscillator
A Minassian1, G J Crofts, M J Damzen
1The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ, UK.
Optics Letters
|May 15, 1997
Summary
This study introduces a novel holographic laser oscillator using laser-pumped titanium-sapphire (Ti:sapphire) as the gain medium. The self-starting, self-adaptive laser produces short pulses with significant output energy.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics
- Optics
- Materials science
Background:
- Titanium-sapphire (Ti:sapphire) lasers are widely used gain media.
- Holographic laser oscillators offer unique properties for laser generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first operation of a holographic laser oscillator with laser-pumped Ti:sapphire.
- To characterize the performance of this novel laser system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized laser-pumped Ti:sapphire as the gain medium.
- Employed a holographic configuration for laser oscillation.
- Investigated spontaneous gain-grating formation for self-starting and self-adaptation.
Main Results:
- Achieved self-starting and self-adaptive operation.
- Generated gain-switched pulses with durations of 25-60 nanoseconds.
- Obtained output energies up to 11 mJ (plane output coupler) and 47 mJ (intracavity polarizer).
- Confirmed TEM(00) mode operation.
Conclusions:
- The developed holographic laser oscillator with laser-pumped Ti:sapphire is a viable and effective laser source.
- Spontaneous gain-grating formation enables robust and adaptive laser operation.
- The system demonstrates potential for applications requiring high-energy, short-pulse laser output.
