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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Automation of Mode Locking in a Nonlinear Polarization Rotation Fiber Laser through Output Polarization Measurements
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Automation of Mode Locking in a Nonlinear Polarization Rotation Fiber Laser through Output Polarization Measurements

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Mode-locked pulses from mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers.

Christine Y Wang1, Lyuba Kuznetsova, V M Gkortsas

  • 1Department of Physics and 2School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Optics Express
|August 6, 2009
PubMed
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This study demonstrates mid-infrared mode-locked pulses from quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) using gain modulation. The generated 3 ps pulses were characterized and modeled, revealing insights into mode-locking dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Quantum optics
  • Semiconductor lasers

Background:

  • Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are semiconductor devices capable of emitting light in the mid-infrared spectrum.
  • Mode-locking is a technique used to generate ultrashort pulses of light.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To unequivocally demonstrate mid-infrared mode-locked pulses from quantum cascade lasers.
  • To model the mode-locking dynamics in QCLs.

Main Methods:

  • Actively modulating the gain of an edge-emitting quantum cascade laser (QCL).
  • Characterizing the generated pulses using second-order interferometric autocorrelation with a nonlinear quantum well infrared photodetector.
  • Modeling mode-locking dynamics using Maxwell-Bloch equations in an open two-level system.

Main Results:

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Low-cost Custom Fabrication and Mode-locked Operation of an All-normal-dispersion Femtosecond Fiber Laser for Multiphoton Microscopy
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Low-cost Custom Fabrication and Mode-locked Operation of an All-normal-dispersion Femtosecond Fiber Laser for Multiphoton Microscopy

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Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Automation of Mode Locking in a Nonlinear Polarization Rotation Fiber Laser through Output Polarization Measurements
14:18

Automation of Mode Locking in a Nonlinear Polarization Rotation Fiber Laser through Output Polarization Measurements

Published on: February 28, 2016

Low-cost Custom Fabrication and Mode-locked Operation of an All-normal-dispersion Femtosecond Fiber Laser for Multiphoton Microscopy
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Low-cost Custom Fabrication and Mode-locked Operation of an All-normal-dispersion Femtosecond Fiber Laser for Multiphoton Microscopy

Published on: November 22, 2019

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10:52

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation

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  • Successful generation of short pulses with a duration of approximately 3 ps and energy of 0.5 pJ.
  • The developed model accurately reproduces measured autocorrelation traces.
  • The model predicts substantial pulse wings due to spatial hole burning.

Conclusions:

  • Mid-infrared mode-locked pulses can be reliably generated from quantum cascade lasers.
  • The Maxwell-Bloch model provides valuable insights into the underlying physics of QCL mode-locking.
  • Understanding spatial hole burning is crucial for optimizing pulse characteristics.