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Diode-pumped gigahertz modelocked Cr:ZnS laser at 2.36 µm
Optics Letters
|May 1, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a compact, diode-pumped gigahertz modelocked laser operating at 2.36 µm. This cost-effective femtosecond laser offers high repetition rates and stability for spectroscopy and nonlinear optics.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics
- Optoelectronics
- Materials science
Background:
- Gigahertz modelocked lasers in the 2-3 µm range are essential for various applications.
- Current systems often require bulky and expensive fiber amplifiers for pumping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first diode-pumped gigahertz modelocked laser in the 2.36 µm spectral range.
- To develop a compact, cost-effective, and high-performance laser source.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Chromium-doped zinc sulfide (Cr:ZnS) as the gain medium.
- Employed an Indium Gallium Antimonide (InGaSb) semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) as the saturable absorber.
- Implemented diode laser pumping for compactness and efficiency.
Main Results:
- Achieved a record 1.06 GHz repetition rate for diode-pumped lasers in this spectral region.
- Generated 199 fs pulses with an average power of 268 mW and peak power exceeding 1 kW.
- Demonstrated excellent long-term and short-term stability with low relative intensity noise (0.09%).
Conclusions:
- The developed laser is a cost-effective, compact, and powerful femtosecond source in the short-wave infrared.
- It shows significant promise for applications in rapid molecular spectroscopy and efficient nonlinear frequency conversion.
