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Nonlinear mirror mode locking of a cw Nd:YLF laser
Optics Letters
|October 22, 2009
Summary
Researchers achieved passive mode locking of a lamp-pumped neodymium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (Nd:YLF) laser. This method produced nearly transform-limited 13-picosecond pulses with 1.5-W average power using a nonlinear mirror.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Solid-State Lasers
Background:
- Continuous-wave (cw) lamp-pumped lasers are essential for various applications.
- Passive mode locking enhances laser pulse characteristics, enabling ultrashort pulse generation.
- The nonlinear mirror technique offers a promising approach for efficient mode locking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate passive mode locking of a cw lamp-pumped Nd:YLF laser.
- To implement and evaluate the nonlinear mirror technique for laser pulse generation.
- To characterize the generated laser pulses in terms of duration, power, and stability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a nonlinear mirror composed of a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal and a dichroic mirror.
- Employed a self-starting passive mode-locking mechanism within the laser cavity.
- Varied cavity parameters to optimize pulse duration and stability.
Main Results:
- Achieved nearly transform-limited pulses with a duration of 13 picoseconds.
- Obtained an average output power of 1.5 Watts at a wavelength of 1.047 micrometers.
- Demonstrated a self-starting mode-locking process.
Conclusions:
- The nonlinear mirror technique is effective for passive mode locking of lamp-pumped Nd:YLF lasers.
- Pulse characteristics are sensitive to cavity parameters, requiring careful optimization.
- This method provides a viable route to high-quality picosecond pulse generation.
