Short Pulse Solid State Lasers
|
Ultrashort laser pulses have gained enormous importance for applications in remote sensing, optical communications, spectroscopy, medicine, laser technologies and many other as for example laser induced lightning. Actively-passively mode-locked flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG lasers are known to be most reliable high power sources for picosecond pulses in the near infrared and visible spectral region. The application of second harmonic pulse compression to the output of a such laser, stabilized by passive negative feedback extends the range to femtosecond region. The main drawback of this laser system are liquid saturable absorbers used for mode-locking and Q-switching which are carcinogenic organic dyes decomposing by UV light from flashlamps . Replacement of this dye by a solid-state mode-locker is very desirable. Recently developed multiple-quantum well (MQW) solid state saturable absorbers and nonlinear mirrors with frequency doubling crystals are promising alternative.
The aim of the current research is development of solid state saturable absorbers for flashlamp pumped neodymium doped lasers. The semiconductor structures with multiple quantum wells grown at University of New Mexico (USA) and another techniques as nonlinear mirrors with frequency doubling crystals are investigated and optimized for mode-locking of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser and Nd:YAP lasers. New elements will be used in compact picosecond Nd:YAG laser system for laser induced lightning which is under development at UNM as well as in picosecond Nd:YAG laser for ophtalmology developed at CTU Prague and can be attractive for replacement of liquid dyes in all similar laser systems. There is also recently extended activity towards diode pumped solid state lasers which are very perspective for future use.
All mentioned research is carried out in collaboration with universities and research institutions in USA (University of New Mexico), France (University of Limoges), Italy (University of Pavia), Russia (Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences).
Projects supported by grants:
- Kubeček, V.: New Nonlinear Elements for Mode-locking of Lasers,
GACR 102-00-1278
- Kubeček, V.: Research and Development of Diode Pumped Solid
State Lasers for Gyro and other Sensors, MSMT, Kontakt ME 384
- Vrbová, M.: Laser Systems and Their Applications, CTU Research Plan no. 210000022
List of Selected Publications and Conference Contributions:
- Couderc, V., Barthelemy, A., Kubeček, V., Jelínková, H.:
Self-mode locked operation of a CW Nd:YAG laser using second
harmonic nonlinear mirror, "Advanced materials for optics and
optoelectronics", SPIE Vol. 2777, ed.V.I.Pustovoy, 1996, p.216.
- Agnesi, A., Pennacchio, C., Reali, G.C., Kubeček, V.: High -
power diode-pumped picosecond Nd:YVO laser. Opt.Lett. 22, 1997, p.
1645.
- Biegert, J., Kubeček, V., Diels, J.-C.: Second harmonic pulse
compression. XIth International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena,
Garmisch Partenkirchen 1998, Paper MoP6, Book of abstracts pp.
54-55
- Biegert, J. - Kubeček, V. - Diels, J.: Pulse Compression. In:
Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 1999, vol. 17, p. 446-454. ISBN
0-471-13946-7..
- Kubeček, V. - Couderc, V. - Bourliaguet, B. - Loradour, F. -
Barthelemy, A.: 4-W and 23-ps Pulses from a Lamp Pumped Nd:YAG Laser
Passively Mode-locked by Polarization Switching in KPT Crystal. In:
Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics. 1999, vol. 69, no. 1, p.
99-102. ISSN 0946-2171.
- Kubeček, V. - Dostál, J. - Dombrovský, A.: Cr:YAG jako
perspektivní zdroj pro optické komunikace v oblasti 1.5 um. In:
Sborník konference Optické komunikace O.K. '99. Praha: TECH-MARKET,
1999, s. 164-168. ISBN 00086114-30-9.
- Biegert, J. - Kubeček, V. - Diels, J.: A New Femtosecond UV
Source Based on Nd:YAG. In: Conference on Lasers and Electro-optics,
OSA Technical Digest. Washington DC: Optical Society of America,
1999, p. 478. ISBN 1-55752-595-1.
- Kubeček, V. - Biegert, J. - Diels, J. - Kokta, M.: Practical Source
of 50 ps Pulses Using a Flashlamp Pumped Nd:YAG Laser and Passive
All-Solid State Pulse Control. In: Optics Commun. 2000, vol. 177,
no. 1-6, p. 317-321. ISSN 0030-4018.
- Diels, J. - Rambo, P. - Schwarz, J. - Giuggioli, L. - Biegert, J. - Kubeček, V. - Bernstein, R.: Tests of Laser Induced Discharge of High dc Voltage Using High-Power Femtosecond UV Pulses. In: SPIE Proceedings, Vol. 3886: International Forum on Advanced High-Power Lasers and Applications APHLA'99. Washington: SPIE, 2000, p. 1.