Ultraviolet generation with passively Q-switchedmicrochip lasers

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Development of compact, high-performance laser sources is crucial for advanced applications.
• Fiber-pumped lasers offer advantages in terms of beam quality and thermal management.
• Nonlinear frequency conversion is essential for generating diverse wavelengths from a single laser source.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a compact, all-solid-state laser source capable of generating multiple harmonic frequencies.
• To achieve high pulse energies and subnanosecond pulse durations.
• To explore the potential of fiber-pumped passively Q-switched lasers for versatile wavelength generation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a fiber-pumped passively Q-switched Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) microchip laser.
• Employed nonlinear optical processes to generate second, third, fourth, and fifth harmonics of the fundamental output.
• Integrated the laser and harmonic generation optics into a compact optical head (< 3 cm³).

Main Results:

• Successfully obtained first, second, third, fourth, and fifth harmonics with pulse energies of 8.0, 3.5, 0.3, 0.7, and 0.01 microJ, respectively.
• Achieved subnanosecond pulse durations and multikilowatt peak powers.
• Operated the laser at repetition rates exceeding 10 kHz.
• Demonstrated a compact and economical all-solid-state laser system.

Conclusions:

• A highly compact and efficient fiber-pumped laser system capable of generating multiple harmonics across the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet spectrum has been developed.
• The demonstrated laser source provides a versatile and economical solution for applications requiring coherent, high-energy, short-pulse laser light.
• The results highlight the potential of integrated microchip laser technology for advanced photonic applications.