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All-solid-state picosecond tunable source of near-infrared radiation
Optics Letters
|January 12, 2008
Summary
A novel diode-pumped neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser system generates ultrashort pulses. This system achieves efficient extracavity frequency conversion in the near-infrared spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Development of high-power, ultrashort pulsed lasers is crucial for nonlinear optical applications.
- Efficient frequency conversion techniques are needed to expand the accessible spectral ranges of lasers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quasi-continuous-wave (quasi-cw) diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser source.
- To investigate extracavity frequency conversion using this laser source and a nonlinear crystal.
Main Methods:
- Mode-locked Nd:YAG laser generation using a nonlinear mirror and acousto-optic modulator.
- Traveling-wave extracavity frequency conversion utilizing a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal.
- Characterization of pulse parameters (duration, energy, spectral width) and beam quality.
Main Results:
- Generation of 31-picosecond (ps), 23-microjoule (µJ) pulses from the Nd:YAG laser.
- Achieved up to 62% pump depletion during extracavity frequency conversion.
- Obtained near-infrared output (1.46-1.56 µm) with a 1.5 nm spectral width and M(2)=1.7 beam quality.
Conclusions:
- The developed Nd:YAG laser system is effective for generating ultrashort pulses.
- Efficient extracavity frequency conversion is demonstrated, enabling generation of specific near-infrared wavelengths.
