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Time localized tilted beams in nearly-degenerate laser cavities
A Bartolo1,2, N Vigne2, M Marconi1
1Institut de Physique de Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 06560, Valbonne, France.
Scientific Reports
|April 29, 2024
Summary
Nearly-degenerate Vertical External-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers can emit pairs of tilted, mode-locked laser beams. Cavity aberrations stabilize this unique spatio-temporal emission pattern, creating stripe patterns through phase-locked interference.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Optics
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Vertical External-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) are crucial for various optical applications.
- Mode-locking in VECSELs typically produces a single output beam.
- Understanding complex emission dynamics is key to advancing laser capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the novel emission of multiple, tilted beams from nearly-degenerate VECSELs.
- To analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics of these mode-locked pulses.
- To elucidate the role of optical aberrations in this phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of laser cavity dynamics.
- Investigation of VECSELs operating in a nearly-degenerate regime.
- Characterization of beam properties, including transverse k-vector and spatial profiles.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of VECSELs emitting pairs of tilted, individually addressable, mode-locked pulses.
- Observation of Gaussian beam profiles and opposite transverse k-vectors for emitted pulse pairs.
- Identification of interference patterns, such as stripes, due to phase-locked beams.
- Confirmation of third-order (spherical) aberrations' role in stabilizing the emission.
Conclusions:
- Nearly-degenerate VECSELs can achieve complex spatio-temporal mode-locking.
- Third-order aberrations are critical for stabilizing and selecting the transverse k-vector of tilted beams.
- This finding opens new avenues for advanced laser beam control and applications.
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