Two-photon microscopy of fura-2-loaded cardiac myocytes with an all-solid-state tunable and visible femtosecond laser source.

We report a robust and reliable platform source for visible-wavelength multiphoton microscopy that is based on nonlinear optical methods. We demonstrate a synchronously pumped, singly resonant optical parametric oscillator with simultaneous intracavity third-order quasi-phase matching in a single crystal that generates continuously tunable, visible, and femtosecond-pulsed radiation. The application of the system is demonstrated by two-photon laser-scanning fluorescence microscopy of rabbit cardiac myocytes loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2.

Diode-pumped passively mode-locked Nd:KGd(WO(4))(2) laser with 1-W average output power.

Continuous-wave passive mode locking of a diode-pumped Nd:KGd(WO(4))(2) laser is demonstrated. The use of a saturable Bragg reflector as the mode-locking element permits the generation of 6.3-ps pulses, assuming a sech(2) pulse shape. An output power of 1 W was obtained, which corresponds to a slope efficiency of 34.5%.

Synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillation in periodically poled lithium niobate with 1-w average output power.

We report on a rugged all-solid-state laser source of near-IR radiation in the range of 1461-1601 nm based on a high-power Nd:YVO(4) laser that is mode locked by a semiconductor saturable Bragg reflector as the pump source of a synchronously pumped optical parametric oscillator with a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. The system produces 34-ps pulses with a high repetition rate of 235 MHz and an average output power of 1 W. The relatively long pulses lead to wide cavity detuning tolerances. The comparatively narrow spectral bandwidth of <15 GHz is suitable for applications such as pollutant detection.

High-power diode-pumped AlGaAs surface-emitting laser.

We report the development and characterization of an efficient diode-pumped surface-emitting semiconductor laser operating at approximately 870 nm. By using a semiconductor Bragg reflector stack/multiple GaAs quantum well structure, mounted within a conventional laser cavity, we achieved single transverse mode laser output powers of 153 mW. Self-tuning over a 15-nm spectral range has been obtained.

Bright tunable ultraviolet squeezed light.

We have produced bright tunable squeezed light by second-harmonic generation in a singly resonant cavity. We have investigated the effect of input coupling and fundamental power on the squeezing. Up to 400 mW of continuous-wave mode-locked tunable squeezed light was produced at wavelengths as short as 389 nm, and more than 1.5 dB of squeezing was inferred.

Two-photon fluorescence microscopy with a diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser.

We demonstrate the acquisition of high-quality two-photon fluorescence microscopy images using an all-solid-state self-mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser. We contrast the performance of the two-photon technique with single-photon confocal fluorescence microscopy images taken with an argon-ion laser. Examples of improved depth penetration and reduced dye bleaching are presented.

Diode-pumped, continuous-wave, single-mode, tunable Cr(3+):LiSrAlF(6) ring laser.

We describe an all-solid-state, tunable, single-frequency, continuous-wave Cr(3+):LiSrAlF(6) ring laser. When pumped with 360 mW of power from a single laser diode the laser has tuning range from 814 to 892 nm and a free-running frequency stability relative to a reference cavity of 60 kHz rms. Further stabilization promises to be possible by use of standard servo electronics. We demonstrate the use of the laser by performing Dopplerfree saturation spectroscopy of the cesium D2 line.

Optical comb generator as an efficient short-pulse source.

We demonstrate a novel technique for converting a continuous-wave laser beam into a stable train of short pulses with a high repetition rate. The system, which is generally applicable, is based on a purely passive coupled-cavity optical frequency comb generator, which ensures a high overall efficiency. The repetition rate of the device is determined by the drive frequency of an electro-optic modulator and the pulse width by the rf power applied to the modulator. We have observed pulses down to 3.3 ps long at a 5.34-GHz repetition rate and an overall efficiency of 11%. The experimental results for pulse shape and width show excellent quantitative agreement with the results of a simple model.

Self-mode-locked diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser producing 34-fs pulses at 42-mW average power.

We describe a self-mode-locked diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser producing almost-bandwidth-limited tunable pulses of 34-fs duration at an average power of 42 mW. We discuss the capacity of this laser to produce even-shorter pulses and how their quality may be improved by reduction of pulse-duration limiting effects.

Efficient optical frequency-comb generator.

We have demonstrated a method that efficiently transfers the power from a single-frequency laser into a wideband frequency comb. The comb was produced by a 2.7-GHz electro-optic modulator in a resonant optical cavity. A coupled cavity technique was used to transfer 8.5% of the laser power into a comb with a span of 400 modes, or more than 1 THz.

Generation of single-frequency radiation at 1064, 1319, and 659.5 nm with an all-solid-state, out-of-plane Nd:YAG ring laser.

Single-frequency output from a unidirectional, out-of-plane, all-solid-state Nd:YAG ring resonator is demonstrated; the setup can be readily operated at both 1064 and 1319 nm with an end-pumping configuration. High multimode slope efficiencies of 42% were observed at 1064 nm, giving a maximum output power of 1.32 W. A maximum single-frequency, TEM(00) output at 1319 nm of 650 mW was achieved with initial slope efficiencies of 17%. External enhancement cavity frequency doubling in LiB(3) O(5) gave a total single-frequency, TEM(00) output power of 18 mW at 659.5 nm.

All-solid-state actively mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser.

We have demonstrated an actively mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser pumped by 659-nm radiation from an intracavity frequency-doubled diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser. The laser was tunable from 815 to 915 nm, and pulses of 30-ps duration at an average power of 3.5 mW were generated. With further development this all-solid-state system will be particularly suitable for the production of femtosecond pulses, by the technique of Kerr-lens mode locking.

Femtosecond pulses from an all-solid-state Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser.

We report on an all-solid-state Kerr-lens mode-locked femtosecond laser. Using an intracavity-doubled mode-locked Nd:YLF laser with two Nd:YLF rods, we have produced 295 mW of light at 659 nm that pumps a Cr:LiSAF laser. Self-sustained Kerr-lens mode locking is achieved in the Cr:LiSAF laser with pulse durations as short as 90 fs.

All-solid-state intracavity-doubled Nd:YLF laser producing 300 mW of 659-nm light.

A mode-locked Nd:YLF laser is described, which uses two diode-pumped Nd:YLF rods and intracavity doubling in LiB(3)O(5) to give an all-solid-state source of high-beam-quality 659-nm red light suitable for pumping Kerr-lens-mode-locked Cr:LiSAF. Significant increases in the quantity of 659-nm light produced on active mode locking of the laser are characterized. Reductions in the noise characteristics of the 659-nm output by detuning the mode-locking frequency from cavity resonance indicate a preferential mode of operation for this device.

Self-mode-locked diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser.

We describe an all-solid-state tunable self-mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser that is pumped with a single 250-mW laser diode and produces almost-bandwidth-limited pulses of 97-fs duration. The self-mode locking is initiated by a regeneratively driven acousto-optic modulator, and the cavity incorporates a hard aperture in the form of an adjustable slit. The design considerations for low-threshold self-mode-locked diode-pumped lasers are outlined.

All-solid-state self-mode locking of a Nd:YLF laser.

An all-solid-state, Kerr-lens mode-locked Nd:YLF laser is reported that uses a simple X-fold cavity with separate gain and nonlinear media. Self-starting pulses of 3 ps are reported at 1.047 microm with significant enhancements in stability and starting behavior over previous Kerr-lens mode-locked Nd:YLF lasers. The benefits of this X-fold cavity design for general passive mode locking of laser-diode-pumped solid-state lasers are also addressed.