Fabry-Perot wavemeter for shot-by-shot analysis of pulsed lasers

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Laser Physics
• Metrology

Background:

• Pulsed lasers require precise wavelength and spectral analysis.
• Injection-seeding techniques are crucial for single longitudinal mode operation.
• Real-time measurement capabilities are essential for dynamic laser systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and evaluate a Fabry-Perot wavemeter for pulsed, single longitudinal mode lasers.
• To enable real-time measurement of laser pulse wavelength and spectral effectiveness.
• To assess the precision and uncertainties of the developed wavemeter.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Fabry-Perot interferometer with an array detector.
• Employed an injection-seeding technique for laser stabilization.
• Validated performance using frequency-stabilized He-Ne and Nd:YAG lasers.
• Analyzed Fabry-Perot fringe patterns to determine wave number and uncertainties.

Main Results:

• Developed a wavemeter capable of real-time analysis of pulsed lasers at 10 Hz.
• Achieved a precision of less than 10 MHz for wavelength measurement.
• Quantified uncertainties by varying detector pixels, etalon finesse, beam waist, and noise levels.

Conclusions:

• The constructed Fabry-Perot wavemeter provides accurate and real-time spectral analysis for pulsed lasers.
• The system demonstrates high precision suitable for demanding laser applications.
• Uncertainty analysis confirms the robustness of the measurement technique.