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Updated: May 9, 2025

Automation of Mode Locking in a Nonlinear Polarization Rotation Fiber Laser through Output Polarization Measurements
Published on: February 28, 2016
Active stabilization of laser diode injection using a polarization-spectroscopy technique
Luka Milanovic1,2, Greg Ferrero1,2, Robin Oswald1,3
1ETH Zürich - PSI Quantum Computing Hub, PSI, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Laser diode injection-locking is a commonly used method to amplify laser light, while preserving its spectral properties. Fluctuations in the environmental conditions can cause injection-locking to fail, especially when operating with low seed powers or with a swept seed frequency. We present a method inspired by the Hänsch-Couillaud scheme to monitor and actively stabilize the conditions required for injection-locking a laser diode. Using only a few optical components, our scheme can run continuously in the background and is modulation-free. We demonstrate its efficacy by showing its robustness to large fluctuations in diode temperature, seed frequency and power, effectively extending the reliable operating range and stability over time.

