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Coupled-cavity resonant passive mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser
Optics Letters
|September 23, 2009
Summary
Researchers achieved tunable, ultrashort laser pulses using a nonlinear quantum-well reflector in a coupled-cavity Ti:sapphire laser. This method enables stable mode-locking and harmonic generation without active cavity control.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Ti:sapphire lasers are crucial for generating ultrashort pulses.
- Passive mode-locking offers a simpler alternative to active methods.
- Quantum-well devices provide unique nonlinear optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate resonant passive mode-locking using a nonlinear quantum-well reflective sample.
- To achieve tunable, ultrashort pulse generation in a Ti:sapphire laser.
- To investigate the influence of cavity length detuning on pulse characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a coupled-cavity configuration with a nonlinear quantum-well reflective sample.
- Employed a Ti:sapphire laser system.
- Varied the external cavity length to observe detuning effects.
Main Results:
- Generated tunable pulses as short as 2 picoseconds (psec).
- Observed pulses <10 psec over a 50-nm tuning range with a single-quantum-well reflector.
- Achieved stable mode-locked pulse trains without active cavity length control.
- Generated up to the sixth harmonic of the fundamental repetition rate (1.2 GHz).
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear quantum-well reflectors are effective for resonant passive mode-locking.
- The technique allows for tunable, ultrashort pulse generation.
- Stable mode-locking and harmonic generation are achievable with simple cavity length adjustments.
