Compact KGd(WO₄)₂ picosecond pulse-train synchronously pumped broadband Raman laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Synchronously pumped stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) typically requires high repetition rates.
• Achieving multi-wavelength output from solid-state Raman lasers presents challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an efficient extra-cavity, synchronously pumped, stimulated Raman cascaded process at low repetition frequencies (1 kHz).
• To construct a compact, all-solid-state picosecond Raman laser capable of multi-wavelength generation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a pulse-train green laser to synchronously pump a 70 mm potassium gadolinium tungstate (KGW) crystal Raman cavity.
• Configured the system for a cascaded SRS process with a pulse train containing six pulses separated by 800 ps.

Main Results:

• Achieved a collinear Raman laser output with six distinct laser lines spanning 532 to 800 nm.
• Demonstrated the first all-solid-state, high-average-power picosecond collinear multi-wavelength laser with more than three components.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers an efficient approach for synchronously pumped SRS at low repetition rates.
• This work presents a novel, compact, and versatile multi-wavelength picosecond Raman laser source.