Control of the bipolarization emission of an Yb:YAG laser by the orientation of the pump polarization.

We show that the polarized pumping can be used to control the relative powers of two linear, orthogonally polarized, eigenstates in a Yb:YAG laser. The experimental observations are in full agreement with a two-mode rate-equation model, highlighting the roles of both the gain anisotropy and the cross-saturation parameters, whose values are found to be ε=0.08 and ß = 0.64, respectively, in a longitudinally pumped continuous-wave microchip laser. The application to dual-polarization frequency combs is discussed.

Optical frequency-to-time mapping using a phase-modulated frequency-shifting loop.

A real-time spectral analysis is demonstrated experimentally with a frequency-shifting loop that includes an electro-optic phase modulator. When a single-frequency laser seeds the loop, pulse doublets are emitted if the integer Talbot condition is satisfied. With a polychromatic seed, frequency-to-time mapping is demonstrated, namely the temporal output of the loop maps the spectral power of the seed, with a resolution of 400 kHz. Due to the phase modulation function, the mapping is shown to be nonlinear. The results are in agreement with the theoretical predictions of [H. Yang et al., J. Opt. Soc. Am. B37, 3162 (2020)JOBPDE0740-322410.1364/JOSAB.389801]. The extension to integrated systems for applications is discussed.

Pulse doublets generated by a frequency-shifting loop containing an electro-optic amplitude modulator.

We investigate theoretically and experimentally an all-fibered frequency-shifting loop which includes an electro-optic amplitude modulator (EOM) and an optical amplifier, and is seeded by a continuous-wave laser. At variance with frequency-shifted feedback lasers, or Talbot lasers, that contain an acousto-optic frequency shifter, the EOM creates at each round-trip two side-bands that recirculate inside the loop. Benefiting from the high modulation frequency of the EOM, a wide optical frequency comb up to 40 GHz is generated. We demonstrate an original double-pulse regime when the loop length is a multiple of the RF modulation wavelength applied to the modulator. The inter-pulse interval is governed by both the bias voltage and modulation depth of the EOM. Besides, some typical waveforms such as saw-tooth and rectangle are experimentally obtained by properly setting operating frequency, bias voltage and the RF power. The system is modeled by a linear interference model that takes the amplitude modulation function and loop delay into account. The model explains the formation of pulse doublets and reproduces well all the experimental waveforms. Furthermore, the un-seeded loop driven above threshold also generates mode-locked picosecond pulse doublets with a continuously adjustable delay up to the modulation period.

Linewidth enhancement factor measurement based on FM-modulated optical injection: application to rare-earth-doped active medium.

A new method for measuring the linewidth enhancement factor of a laser is proposed. It is based on frequency-modulated optical injection, combined with dual-frequency laser operation. The linewidth enhancement factor α is deduced from the experimental data using a theoretical analysis based on a standard rate equation model. As the intracavity power is kept constant, the method frees the process from the thermal effects that are usually present in AM/FM techniques. Measurement of α=0.28±0.04 in a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser demonstrates that the method is well-suited for characterizing small values of α.

Frequency-locked chaotic opto-RF oscillator.

A driven opto-RF oscillator, consisting of a dual-frequency laser (DFL) submitted to frequency-shifted feedback, is experimentally and numerically studied in a chaotic regime. Precise control of the reinjection strength and detuning permits isolation of a parameter region of bounded-phase chaos, where the opto-RF oscillator is frequency-locked to the master oscillator, in spite of chaotic phase and intensity oscillations. Robust experimental evidence of this synchronization regime is found, and phase noise spectra allow us to compare phase-locking and bounded-phase chaos regimes. In particular, it is found that the long-term phase stability of the master oscillator is well transferred to the opto-RF oscillator, even in the chaotic regime.

Green pulsed lidar-radar emitter based on a multipass frequency-shifting external cavity.

This paper investigates the radio frequency (RF) up-conversion properties of a frequency-shifting external cavity on a laser beam. We consider an infrared passively Q-switched pulsed laser whose intensity modulation results from the multiple round-trips in the external cavity, which contains a frequency shifter. The output beam undergoes optical second-harmonic generation necessary to reach the green wavelength. We model the pulse train using a rate-equation model to simulate the laser pulses, together with a time-delayed interference calculation taking both the diffraction efficiency and the Gaussian beam propagation into account. The predictions are verified experimentally using a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser passively Q-switched by Cr4+:YAG whose pulse train makes multiple round-trips in a mode-matched external cavity containing an acousto-optic frequency shifter driven at 85 MHz. Second-harmonic generation is realized in a KTP crystal, yielding RF-modulated pulses at 532 nm with a modulation contrast of almost 100%. RF harmonics up to the 6th order (1.020 GHz) are observed in the green output pulses. Such a RF-modulated green laser may find applications in underwater detection and ranging.

Mode-hopping suppression in long Brillouin fiber laser with non-resonant pumping.

We propose a reliable method for stabilizing narrow linewidth Brillouin fiber lasers with non-resonant pumping. Mode-hopping is suppressed by means of a phase-locked loop that locks the pump-Stokes detuning to a local radio-frequency (RF) oscillator. Stable single-mode operation of a 110-m-long Brillouin fiber laser oscillating at 1.55 µm is demonstrated for several hours. The beat note between two independent Stokes waves presents a phase noise level of -60 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz with a -20 dB/decade slope, and a FWHM linewidth lower than 50 Hz.

Iron Alkynyl Helicenes: Redox-Triggered Chiroptical Tuning in the IR and Near-IR Spectral Regions and Suitable for Telecommunications Applications.

The combination of a bis-alkynyl-helicene moiety with two iron centers leads to novel electroactive species displaying unprecedented redox-triggered chiroptical switching. Upon oxidation, strong changes of vibrational modes (either local or extended coupled modes) are detected by vibrational circular dichroism and Raman optical activity. Remarkably, the sign of the optical rotation at 1.54 µm (that is, at wavelengths typically used for telecommunications) changes upon oxidation while the topology and stereochemistry of the helicene remain unchanged.

Pulse-to-pulse coherent beat note generated by a passively Q-switched two-frequency laser.

We demonstrate experimentally the pulse-to-pulse coherence of the beat note produced by a dual-polarization passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser subjected to a frequency-shifted, polarization-rotated, optical feedback. The reinjection of one laser eigenstate into the other eigenstate ensures the phase-locking of the beat note against an external acoustic reference wave at the onset of each pulse, circumventing the intrinsic memory loss of the optical phase between successive pulses. It opens the possibility to generate optically a coherent pulsed beat note in the radio-frequency range with a subhertz linewidth, i.e., over thousands of pulses. An application to lidar radar is discussed.

Wavelength locking of CW and Q-switched Er(3+) microchip lasers to acetylene absorption lines using pump-power modulation.

We show that modulating the diode-pump power of a microchip solid-state laser enables to lock its wavelength to a reference molecular line. The method is applied to two different types of Er,Yb:glass monolithic microchip lasers operating at 1.53 microm. First, wavelength locking of a continuous-wave dual-polarization microchip laser to acetylene absorption lines is demonstrated, without using any additional modulator, internal or external. We then show that, remarkably, this simple method is also suitable for stabilizing a passively Q-switched microchip laser. A pulsed wavelength stability of 10(-8) over 1 hour is readily observed. Applications to lidars and to microwave photonics are discussed.

Dual-polarization microchip laser at 1.53 microm.

Two-frequency operation of a composite Er,Yb:glass-LiTaO3 monolithic microlaser is demonstrated at 1.53 microm. The thermo-optic effect of the intracavity birefringent crystal makes it possible to control the wavelengths of the two orthogonal linearly polarized eigenstates. It provides a tunable beat note from 0 to 60 GHz. Direct evaluation of the Lamb-type coupling constant C between the two eigenstates is obtained from a single intensity noise spectrum measurement, yielding values from 0.33 to 0.86, depending on transverse and axial distributions of the eigenstates. Applications to radar and telecommunication systems are discussed.

Continuous-wave tunnel ring fiber laser.

The continuous-wave oscillation of a tunnel ring fiber laser is demonstrated. The high losses encountered in tunneling systems are compensated for by a high-gain amplifying medium from barrier widths for 0 to lambda/2. The experimental observations are in good agreement with a simple theoretical model. This near-field probe system allows one to detect small displacements in the picometer range.

Jamin Fabry-Perot interferometer.

A novel type of interferometer was designed and tested experimentally. It combines the advantages of the spatial path separation used in the two-wave polarized Jamin interferometer and the high sensitivity that characterizes the multiwave Fabry-Perot interferometer. Furthermore, when it is sandwiched between crossed polarizers it shows a sensitivity to intracavity anisotropies that is proportional to the square of the Fabry-Perot interferometer's finesse.