Frequency-modulation mode locking of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser

Area of Science:

• Laser physics
• Nonlinear optics
• Solid-state lasers

Background:

• Diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers offer efficient and compact sources for various applications.
• Achieving ultrashort pulses is crucial for high-speed optical communications and advanced material processing.
• Actively mode-locked lasers provide precise control over pulse generation and repetition rate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate frequency-modulation mode locking in a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
• To achieve ultrashort pulse durations with high repetition rates.
• To characterize the performance of the mode-locked laser system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
• Implemented frequency-modulation mode locking using a lithium niobate phase modulator.
• Employed no intracavity elements other than the phase modulator.

Main Results:

• Obtained pulses with a duration of 12 picoseconds.
• Achieved a repetition rate of up to 350 MHz.
• Generated pulses that are approximately twice transform limited, representing the shortest pulses from an actively mode-locked Nd:YAG laser to date.
• Achieved an average output power of 65 mW at 1.064 micrometers with a peak power of 15 W when pumped by a 500-mW laser-diode array.

Conclusions:

• Frequency-modulation mode locking is an effective technique for generating ultrashort pulses from diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG lasers.
• The demonstrated system offers a compact and efficient source of high-peak-power picosecond pulses.
• This advancement has implications for applications requiring high-repetition-rate, ultrashort laser pulses.