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Femtosecond pulse generation from external cavity diode laser based on self-mode-locking
Optics Letters
|January 15, 2021
Summary
We demonstrate compact femtosecond laser pulse generation using a diode gain chip in an external cavity. This cost-effective system achieves adjustable repetition rates and low timing jitter for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Semiconductor Lasers
- Ultrafast Science
Background:
- Diode lasers are crucial for compact light sources.
- External cavity diode lasers offer wavelength tunability and improved beam quality.
- Mode-locking is essential for generating ultrashort optical pulses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report optical pulse generation from a single-section diode gain chip.
- To investigate the self-mode-locking regime in an external cavity configuration.
- To characterize the generated femtosecond pulses and their timing stability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a single-section diode gain chip emitting at 1550 nm.
- Employed an external cavity geometry operated in the self-mode-locking regime.
- Measured optical pulse width, RF spectral width, and pulse-to-pulse timing jitter.
Main Results:
- Achieved femtosecond optical pulse generation with a pulse width of approximately 650 fs.
- Operated the external cavity at adjustable repetition rates from 1 to 2.5 GHz.
- Measured a low RF spectral width (78.875 kHz) and low RMS timing jitter (1.273 ps).
Conclusions:
- The developed system provides an ultra-compact and cost-effective femtosecond laser source.
- The system offers chirp compensation and adjustable repetition rates.
- This technology has potential for various applications requiring stable femtosecond pulses.
