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Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Directly diode-laser-pumped Ti:sapphire laser.
Peter W Roth1, Alexander J Maclean, David Burns
1Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NW, Scotland. peter.roth@strath.ac.uk
Optics Letters
|November 3, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a portable titanium-doped sapphire (Ti:Al2O3) laser powered by a gallium nitride (GaN) diode laser. This novel approach achieved 19 mW of continuous-wave output, demonstrating a new method for compact laser systems.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics and photonics.
- Solid-state laser development.
- Diode-laser technology.
Background:
- Titanium-doped sapphire (Ti:Al2O3) lasers are widely used but typically require bulky pump sources.
- Diode-laser pumping offers a path towards more compact and portable laser systems.
- Short-wavelength pumping of Ti:Al2O3 lasers can introduce unique optical effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a directly diode-laser-pumped Ti:Al2O3 laser.
- To investigate the feasibility of using a GaN diode laser for pumping.
- To characterize optical losses associated with short-wavelength pumping.
Main Methods:
- Direct diode-laser pumping of a Ti:Al2O3 gain medium using a 452 nm GaN laser.
- Characterization of continuous-wave (cw) output power.
- Analysis of wavelength-dependent optical losses.
Main Results:
- Achieved 19 mW of cw output power from the diode-laser-pumped Ti:Al2O3 laser.
- Observed and characterized a pump-induced loss at the laser wavelength, distinct from effects seen with green pumping.
- Demonstrated a potentially portable laser system format.
Conclusions:
- Direct diode-laser pumping of Ti:Al2O3 lasers is feasible using short wavelengths.
- The observed loss mechanism requires consideration for optimizing short-wavelength pumped systems.
- This work paves the way for more compact and efficient Ti:Al2O3 laser sources.
