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Tunable mid-infrared source from an ultrafast two-color Yb:fiber chirped-pulse amplifier
Mojtaba Hajialamdari1, Donna Strickland
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Guelph-Waterloo Physics Institute, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. mhajiala@uwaterloo.ca
Optics Letters
|September 4, 2012
Summary
We developed a tunable, ultrafast, mid-infrared laser source using a Yb:fiber chirped-pulse amplifier. This new source achieves 1.5 mW average power at 18 μm, significantly improving output power.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
- Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy
Background:
- Ultrafast laser sources are crucial for various scientific applications.
- Mid-infrared (MIR) light generation is challenging but offers unique spectroscopic capabilities.
- Yb:fiber chirped-pulse amplifiers (CPAs) are robust platforms for ultrafast pulse generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a tunable, ultrafast MIR source.
- To achieve MIR generation via difference frequency generation (DFG).
- To characterize the performance of a Yb:fiber CPA-based MIR source.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a two-color Yb:fiber CPA system.
- Implementing difference frequency generation (DFG) between 16 μm and 20 μm.
- Employing pre-amplifier optimization to enhance output power.
Main Results:
- Achieved a tunable MIR source with average power of 1.5 mW at approximately 18 μm.
- Demonstrated a one-order-of-magnitude improvement in output power after the pre-amplifier.
- Presented simulation and experimental validation of the pre-amplifier's performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed Yb:fiber CPA system provides a powerful tool for ultrafast MIR generation.
- The DFG approach offers tunability in the mid-infrared spectrum.
- Pre-amplifier optimization is key to enhancing the overall system efficiency and output power.
