Saturable absorber mode-locked femtosecond Cr4+:YAG laser

Michael J. Hayduk; Steven T. Johns; Mark F. Krol

doi:10.1117/12.277629

1 July 1997 Saturable absorber mode-locked femtosecond Cr⁴⁺:YAG laser

Michael J. Hayduk, Steven T. Johns, Mark F. Krol

Proceedings Volume 3075, Photonic Processing Technology and Applications; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.277629
Event: AeroSense '97, 1997, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We have demonstrated self-starting passive mode-locking of a chromium-doped:YAG (Cr⁴⁺:YAG) laser using a saturable absorber mirror (SAM) structure. Highly stable femtosecond pulses tunable from 1488 to 1535 nm were generated. Average TEM₀₀ output powers ranged from 40 to 80 mW with a minimum pulse width of 120 fs measured at 1488 nm. The generation of ultrashort pulses in solid-state lasers using the Kerr lens modelocking (KLM) technique has been the center of much attention in recent years. Sub 100 fs pulses have been produced using many different laser systems. However, the KLM process is very sensitive to cavity alignment and is easily perturbed by mechanical vibrations and pump power fluctuations. A more reliable process makes use of a saturable absorber to start and stabilize the soliton formation process. The saturable absorber eliminates the need for critical cavity alignment. The femtosecond pulse train produced by the SAM structure in the Cr⁴⁺:YAG laser system is highly stable over very long periods of time. The wide tunability of the Cr⁴⁺:YAG laser throughout the 1.5 micrometer transmission window of optical fiber makes it an ideal spectroscopic source for the characterization and development of novel materials and devices for ultrafast optical interconnects.

Citation Download Citation

Michael J. Hayduk, Steven T. Johns, and Mark F. Krol "Saturable absorber mode-locked femtosecond Cr⁴⁺:YAG laser", Proc. SPIE 3075, Photonic Processing Technology and Applications, (1 July 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.277629

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available