Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
10:17
20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
Power adjustable visible supercontinuum generation using amplified nanosecond gain-switched laser diode
Malay Kumar1, Chenan Xia, Xiuquan Ma
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan,1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. malayk@umich.edu
Optics Express
|June 12, 2008
Summary
Researchers scaled supercontinuum (SC) light power by adjusting laser repetition rates. A novel two-stage design enhances SC bandwidth for quasi-continuous wave pumping applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Supercontinuum (SC) light generation is crucial for various applications, requiring optimized spectral broadening and power scaling.
- Efficient SC generation is sensitive to nonlinear effects and requires careful selection of pumping conditions relative to fiber dispersion properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To scale the power of supercontinuum light from 250-740 mW.
- To enhance the spectral bandwidth of SC light for quasi-continuous wave (CW) pumping.
- To present a novel two-stage design for improved SC generation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an amplified, frequency-doubled telecom laser diode with a variable repetition rate.
- Employed simulations to determine optimal parameters for SC generation.
- Implemented a two-stage design separating pulse break-up from spectral broadening.
Main Results:
- Successfully scaled supercontinuum light power from 250 mW to 740 mW.
- Achieved a continuous spectrum covering the 0.45-1.2 micrometer range.
- Demonstrated enhanced SC bandwidth through the proposed two-stage design.
Conclusions:
- Varying the repetition rate of the laser source is an effective method for scaling SC power.
- A two-stage design effectively enhances SC bandwidth by managing nonlinear processes.
- The presented method provides a pathway for efficient SC generation for quasi-CW pumping.
