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Construction and Characterization of External Cavity Diode Lasers for Atomic Physics
Published on: April 24, 2014
Open-cavity fiber laser with distributed feedback based on externally or self-induced dynamic gratings
Optics Letters
|October 14, 2017
Summary
This study demonstrates a novel open-cavity fiber laser using dynamic gratings in ytterbium-doped fiber for distributed feedback. This laser achieves single-frequency operation and exhibits unique pulse dynamics, generating terahertz spectral ranges.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
- Fiber Optics
Background:
- Dynamic population inversion gratings can provide feedback to writing laser radiation.
- Open-cavity fiber lasers offer unique properties for laser design and application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first open-cavity fiber laser utilizing dynamic gratings for distributed feedback.
- To investigate the characteristics and operational dynamics of such a laser system.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an open-cavity fiber laser using a Yb-doped active fiber.
- Writing dynamic gratings via an external source or self-induced feedback.
- Characterization of grating properties (bandwidth, reflection coefficient) and laser output spectrum.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a meters-long dynamic grating with narrow bandwidth (<50 MHz) and high reflectivity (>7%).
- Achieved stable single-frequency operation initially, followed by mode-switching due to hole-burning effects.
- Observed regular pulse-mode dynamics generating pulse trains covering several terahertz.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic gratings in active fibers are effective for distributed feedback in open-cavity fiber lasers.
- The observed mode-switching and pulse dynamics offer potential for novel laser sources with broad spectral coverage.
