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A forward Brillouin fibre laser
Gil Bashan1, H Hagai Diamandi1,2, Elad Zehavi1
1Faculty of Engineering and Institute for Nano-Technology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel.
Nature Communications
|June 21, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed the first forward Brillouin fibre laser using standard polarization-maintaining fiber. This novel laser offers potential for ultra-high coherence and sensitive environmental sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Backward stimulated Brillouin scattering fibre lasers offer narrow linewidths for signal processing and sensing.
- Forward stimulated Brillouin scattering in fibres has narrower amplification bandwidths but has not been harnessed for laser development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first realization of a forward Brillouin fibre laser.
- To investigate its operational characteristics and potential applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a standard panda-type polarization-maintaining fibre.
- Employed co-propagating pump and signal light with orthogonal polarizations.
- Incorporated Bragg gratings at fibre ends for cavity feedback.
- Observed operation in single-mode, few-modes, and multi-mode regimes.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated the first forward Brillouin fibre laser.
- Observed unique environmental sensitivity of the lasing threshold, increasing when the fibre is partially immersed in water.
- Attributed threshold changes to the broadening of forward Brillouin scattering spectra.
Conclusions:
- Established a new class of fibre laser based on forward Brillouin scattering.
- The laser shows promise for ultra-high coherence applications.
- Potential for precision sensing of external media (e.g., liquids) outside the fibre cladding.
