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Nonlinear dynamics inside femtosecond enhancement cavities.
Optics Express
|June 5, 2009
Summary
We studied nonlinear dynamics in optical cavities with femtosecond pulses. Pulse enhancement stops when nonlinear phase shifts detune cavity resonances beyond the linewidth.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Quantum optics
- Laser physics
Background:
- High-peak-power femtosecond pulses in optical cavities exhibit nonlinear dynamics.
- Broad-bandwidth, dispersion-controlled, high-finesse cavities are crucial for these investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of intracavity nonlinear dynamics on femtosecond pulse enhancement.
- To understand the limitations imposed by nonlinear phase shifts on pulse coupling and enhancement.
- To analyze the spectral dynamics resulting from chirped femtosecond pulses.
Main Methods:
- Active stabilization of the frequency comb of femtosecond pulse trains to cavity resonances.
- Utilizing cavities with broad bandwidth and dispersion control.
- Mathematical modeling and experimental validation of nonlinear effects.
Main Results:
- Pulse enhancement ceases when the nonlinear phase shift exceeds the cavity linewidth.
- The chi(3) nonlinearity is identified as a key factor in this phenomenon.
- Complex spectral dynamics arise from input pulse chirping, which were successfully modeled.
Conclusions:
- Intracavity nonlinear dynamics fundamentally limit femtosecond pulse enhancement in high-finesse cavities.
- Understanding these limits is critical for applications requiring high peak powers.
- The study provides a framework for predicting and controlling nonlinear effects in such systems.
