2.4 THz/s continuously linearly frequency-modulated Nd:YVO₄ laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Laser diode-pumped solid-state lasers offer efficient and compact solutions for various applications.
• Frequency modulation in lasers is crucial for applications like spectroscopy, optical communications, and sensing.
• Developing fast and wide-range frequency modulation techniques is an ongoing challenge in laser technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a linearly frequency-modulated laser system.
• To achieve fast frequency tuning with a wide tuning range in a laser diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser.
• To investigate the performance of RbTiOPO4 crystals as frequency modulators.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a laser diode (LD) to pump a Neodymium-doped Yttrium Orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4) laser operating at 1064 nm.
• Employing RbTiOPO4 (RTP) crystals as the electro-optic frequency modulator within the laser cavity.
• Measuring the frequency tuning speed, range, output power, linewidth, and modulation deviation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a fast frequency tuning rate of 2.40 THz/s.
• Demonstrated a continuous tuning range of 6 GHz, exceeding three times the longitudinal mode spacing.
• Obtained a maximum output power of 160 mW for the frequency-modulated laser.
• Measured a laser linewidth of 190 kHz and a modulation deviation below 60 MHz.

Conclusions:

• The developed LD-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser with RTP crystals offers a promising platform for fast and wide-range frequency modulation.
• The achieved performance metrics are suitable for advanced applications requiring precise laser frequency control.
• This work contributes to the advancement of tunable laser sources for scientific and technological applications.