Subnanosecond-pulse generation from an actively mode-locked XeCl laser

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Optoelectronics
• Ultrafast Optics

Background:

• Achieving ultrashort laser pulses is crucial for various scientific and technological applications.
• Subnanosecond pulse generation in excimer lasers like XeCl presents unique challenges.
• Mode-locking techniques are essential for controlling laser pulse duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate subnanosecond pulses from a UV preionized transverse-discharge XeCl laser.
• To investigate the effectiveness of direct active mode-locking using an acousto-optic loss modulator.
• To explore a novel laser cavity configuration for enhanced pulse compression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a UV preionized transverse-discharge XeCl laser system.
• Implemented a direct active mode-locking technique with an acousto-optic loss modulator.
• Employed a novel laser cavity design to optimize pulse formation and extraction.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated laser pulses with a measured width of 660 picoseconds (psec).
• Accounting for detection system limitations, the actual pulse width was determined to be less than 500 psec.
• Demonstrated the efficacy of the acousto-optic loss modulator in achieving subnanosecond pulse durations.

Conclusions:

• The novel configuration and active mode-locking technique effectively produced subnanosecond pulses from a XeCl laser.
• The achieved pulse width is among the shortest reported for this type of laser system.
• This advancement opens possibilities for high-resolution spectroscopy and advanced material processing.