Dual-media laser system: Nitrogen vacancy diamond and red semiconductor laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Sensing

Background:

• Diamond's unique properties (thermal conductivity, wide bandgap, color centers) make it promising for laser applications and sensitive magnetometry.
• Challenges in diamond fabrication and understanding optical loss mechanisms hinder its widespread use.
• Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond are key for quantum applications, including sensing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a continuous-wave laser threshold using NV color centers in diamond.
• To investigate the relationship between pump intensity and laser threshold.
• To advance coherent laser methods for enhanced magnetometry.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a laser cavity incorporating an NV diamond medium.
• Integrated an intracavity antireflection-coated diode laser to compensate for optical losses.
• Applied green pump power to the NV centers and monitored laser output.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a continuous-wave laser threshold for the NV diamond laser system.
• Observed linewidth narrowing with increasing green pump power.
• The dual-medium approach effectively compensated for intrinsic cavity losses.

Conclusions:

• The study establishes a functional laser system based on NV diamond, a significant step for optical applications.
• Results indicate the potential of NV diamond lasers for developing advanced, coherent magnetometry.
• Further research into optical loss channels in diamond is warranted for improved laser performance.