Phase-locked single-mode terahertz quantum cascade lasers array

We demonstrated a scheme of phase-locked terahertz quantum cascade lasers(THz QCLs)array,with a single-mode pulse power of 108 mW at 13 K.The device utilizes a Talbot cavity to achieve phase locking among five ridge lasers with first-order buried distributed feedback(DFB)grating,resulting in nearly five times amplification of the single-mode power.Due to the optimum length of Talbot cavity depends on wavelength,the combination of Talbot cavity with the DFB grating leads to better power amplification than the combination with multimode Fabry-Perot(F-P)cavities.The Talbot cavity facet reflects light back to the ridge array direction and achieves self-imaging in the array,enabling phase-locked operation of ridges.We set the spacing between adjacent elements to be 220μm,much larger than the free-space wavelength,ensuring the operation of the fundamental supermode throughout the laser's dynamic range and obtaining a high-brightness far-field distribution.This scheme provides a new approach for enhancing the single-mode power of THz QCLs.

Characteristic analysis of 1.06μm long-cavity diode lasers based on asymmetric waveguide structures

In long-cavity edge-emitting diode lasers,longitudinal spatial hole burning(LSHB),two-photon ab⁃sorption(TPA)and free carrier absorption(FCA)are among the key factors that affect the linear increase in out⁃put power at high injection currents.In this paper,a simplified numerical analysis model is proposed for 1.06μm long-cavity diode lasers by combining TPA and FCA losses with one-dimensional(1D)rate equations.The ef⁃fects of LSHB,TPA and FCA on the output characteristics are systematically analyzed,and it is proposed that ad⁃justing the front facet reflectivity and the position of the quantum well(QW)in the waveguide layer can improve the front facet output power.

Optical facet coatings for high-performance LWIR quantum cascade lasers atλ∼8.5μm

We report on the performance improvement of long-wave infrared quantum cascade lasers(LWIR QCLs)by studying and optimizing the anti-reflection(AR)optical facet coating.Compared to the Al2O3 AR coat⁃ing,the Y_(2)O_(3)AR coating exhibits higher catastrophic optical mirror damage(COMD)level,and the optical facet coatings of both material systems have no beam steering effect.A 3-mm-long,9.5-μm-wide buried-heterostruc⁃ture(BH)LWIR QCL ofλ~8.5μm with Y_(2)O_(3)metallic high-reflection(HR)and AR of~0.2%reflectivity coating demonstrates a maximum pulsed peak power of 2.19 W at 298 K,which is 149%higher than that of the uncoated device.For continuous-wave(CW)operation,by optimizing the reflectivity of the Y_(2)O_(3)AR coating,the maximum output power reaches 0.73 W,which is 91%higher than that of the uncoated device.

Gigahertz frequency hopping in an optical phase-locked loop for Raman lasers

Raman lasers are essential in atomic physics,and the development of portable devices has posed requirements for time-division multiplexing of Raman lasers.We demonstrate an innovative gigahertz frequency hopping approach of a slave Raman laser within an optical phase-locked loop(OPLL),which finds practical application in an atomic gravimeter,where the OPLL frequently switches between near-resonance lasers and significantly detuned Raman lasers.The method merges the advantages of rapid and extensive frequency hopping with the OPLL’s inherent low phase noise,and exhibits a versatile range of applications in compact laser systems,promising advancements in portable instruments.

On the generation of high-quality Nyquist pulses in mode-locked fiber lasers

Nyquist pulses have wide applications in many areas,from electronics to optics.Mode-locked lasers are ideal platforms to generate such pulses.However,how to generate high-quality Nyquist pulses in mode-locked lasers remains elusive.We address this problem by managing different physical effects in mode-locked fiber lasers through extensive numerical simulations.We find that net dispersion,linear loss,gain and filter shaping can affect the quality of Nyquist pulses significantly.We also demonstrate that Nyquist pulses experience similariton shaping due to the nonlinear attractor effect in the gain medium.Our work may contribute to the design of Nyquist pulse sources and enrich the understanding of pulse shaping dynamics in mode-locked lasers.

975 nm multimode semiconductor lasers with high-order Bragg diffraction gratings

The 975 nm multimode diode lasers with high-order surface Bragg diffraction gratings have been simulated and calcu-lated using the 2D finite difference time domain(FDTD)algorithm and the scattering matrix method(SMM).The periods and etch depth of the grating parameters have been optimized.A board area laser diode(BA-LD)with high-order diffraction grat-ings has been designed and fabricated.At output powers up to 10.5 W,the measured spectral width of full width at half maxi-mum(FWHM)is less than 0.5 nm.The results demonstrate that the designed high-order surface gratings can effectively nar-row the spectral width of multimode semiconductor lasers at high output power.

Optimizing laser coupling,matter heating,and particle acceleration from solids using multiplexed ultraintense lasers

Realizing the full potential of ultrahigh-intensity lasers for particle and radiation generation will require multi-beam arrangements due to technology limitations.Here,we investigate how to optimize their coupling with solid targets.Experimentally,we show that overlapping two intense lasers in a mirror-like configuration onto a solid with a large preplasma can greatly improve the generation of hot electrons at the target front and ion acceleration at the target backside.The underlying mechanisms are analyzed through multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations,revealing that the self-induced magnetic fields driven by the two laser beams at the target front are susceptible to reconnection,which is one possible mechanism to boost electron energization.In addition,the resistive magnetic field generated during the transport of the hot electrons in the target bulk tends to improve their collimation.Our simulations also indicate that such effects can be further enhanced by overlapping more than two laser beams.

Collective coherent emission of electrons in strong laser fields and perspective for hard x-ray lasers

Coherent motion of particles in a plasma can imprint itself on radiation.The recent advent of high-power lasers—allowing the nonlinear inverse Compton-scattering regime to be reached—has opened the possibility of looking at collective effects in laser–plasma interactions.Under certain conditions,the collective interaction of many electrons with a laser pulse can generate coherent radiation in the hard x-ray regime.This perspective paper explains the limitations under which such a regime might be attained.

Generation and regulation of electromagnetic pulses generated by femtosecond lasers interacting with multitargets

Ultrashort and powerful laser interactions with a target generate intense wideband electromagnetic pulses(EMPs).In this study,we report EMPs generated by the interactions between petawatt(30 fs,1.4×10^(20) W/cm^(2))femtosecond(fs)lasers with metal flat,plastic flat,and plastic nanowire-array(NWA)targets.Detailed analyses are conducted on the EMPs in terms of their spatial distribution,time and frequency domains,radiation energy,and protection.The results indicate that EMPs from metal targets exhibit larger amplitudes at varying angles than those generated by other types of targets and are enhanced significantly for NWA targets.Using a plastic target holder and increasing the laser focal spot can significantly decrease the radiation energy of the EMPs.Moreover,the composite shielding materials indicate an effective shielding effect against EMPs.The simulation results show that the NWA targets exert a collimating effect on thermal electrons,which directly affects the distribution of EMPs.This study provides guidance for regulating EMPs by controlling the laser focal spot,target parameters,and target rod material and is beneficial for electromagnetic-shielding design.

High Slope Efficiency and High Power 850nm Oxide-Confined Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers

High slope efficiency and high power selected oxide-confined 850nm VCSELs grown by MOCVD are reported.The slope efficiency and the threshold current respectively are 0 82mW/mA and 2 59mA with a 9μm diameter oxidation aperture at 25℃.The maximum power of 16mW is obtained at 23mA current bias.The minimum threshold current can be as low as 570μA with a 5μm diameter oxidation aperture at 25℃.The maximum saturated power is 5 5mW.

Investigation of 980nm Ridge Waveguide Lasers with Current Non-Injection Regions by He Ion Implantaion

The technology of He ion implantation for improving the catastrophic optical damage (COD) level of 980nm semiconductor lasers is introduced.After He ion implantation,p-GaAs obtain higher resistivity than before.About 25μm-long current non-injection regions are introduced near both facets,where the injection current is blocked by high resistivity area.The current non-injection regions can reduce carriers inject to facets,and the rate of the non-radiative recombination are reduced.So the COD level is higher than before.The He ion implantation LDs exhibit no COD failure until the rollover occure at a mean maximum power of 440.5mW.Mean COD level of conventional LDs is given as 407.5mW.Compared to conventional LDs,the mean maximum output power level of He ion implantation LDs is improved by 8%.

Effect of DBR Geometry on Reflectivity and Spectral Linewidth of DBR Lasers

The linewidths of InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs DBR lasers with varied DBR dimensional parameters are measured and analyzed. These lasers were built with different DBR grating lengths and depths in order to explore the effect of the size of the DBR on its coupling coefficient and reflectivity,and hence on the linewidth of the laser diodes. The linewidths were measured by employing a self heterodyne linewidth measurement system. The experimental and calculated data for DBR reflectivity and spectral linewidth are given. The relationship between these data and the dimensions of the DBR is analyzed. Based on this analysis,the effect of the DBR geometry on the linewidth of the lasers is explored. The results give useful information related to the design and fabrication of such DBR lasers.

Wavelength-tunable organic semiconductor lasers based on elastic distributed feedback gratings

Wavelength-tunable organic semiconductor lasers based on mechanically stretchable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gratings were developed. The intrinsic stretchability of PDMS was explored to modulate the period of the distributed feedback gratings for fine tuning the lasing wavelength. Notably, elastic lasers based on three typical light-emitting molecules show com-parable lasing threshold values analogous to rigid devices and a continuous wavelength tunability of about 10 nm by mechanic-al stretching. In addition, the stretchability provides a simple solution for dynamically tuning the lasing wavelength in a spec-tral range that is challenging to achieve for inorganic counterparts. Our work has provided a simple and efficient method of fab-ricating tunable organic lasers that depend on stretchable distributed feedback gratings, demonstrating a significant step in the advancement of flexible organic optoelectronic devices.

Monolithic Integration of Electro-Absorption Modulators and DFB Lasers by Modified Double Stack Active Layer Approach

Monolithic electro absorption modulated distributed feedback(DFB) lasers are proposed and fabricated by using a modified double stack active layer.The 38mA threshold,9dB extinction ratio (from 0 5V to 3 0V),and about 5mW output power at the 100mA operation current are achieved.Compared with other reported results (only 1 5mW at the same operation current) of the traditional stack active structure,the proposed structure improves the output power of devices.

Quantitative Moisture Measurement with a Cavity Ring-down Spectrometer using Telecom Diode Lasers

Moisture measurement is of great needs in semiconductor industry, combustion diagnosis, meteorology, and atmospheric studies. We present an optical hygrometer based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy （CRDS）. By using different absorption lines of H20 in the 1.56 and 1.36 gm regions, we are able to determine the relative concentration （mole fraction） of water vapor from a few percent down to the 10-12 level. The quantitative accuracy is examined by comparing the CRDS hygrometer with a commercial chilled-mirror dew-point meter. The high sensitivity of the CRDS instrument allows a water detection limit of 8 pptv.

Measurement of Cavity Loss and Quasi-Fermi-Level Separation for Fabry-Pérot Semiconductor Lasers

A fitting process is used to measure the cavity loss and the quasi Fermi level separation for Fabry Pérot semiconductor lasers.From the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectrum,the gain spectrum and single pass ASE obtained by the Cassidy method are applied in the fitting process.For a 1550nm quantum well InGaAsP ridge waveguide laser,the cavity loss of about ～24cm -1 is obtained.

Review of low timing jitter mode-locked fiber lasers and applications in dual-comb absolute distance measurement

Passively mode-locked fiber lasers emit femtosecond pulse trains with excellent short-term stability. The quantum-limited timing jitter of a free running femtosecond erbium-doped fiber laser working at room temperature is considerably below one femtosecond at high Fourier frequency. The ultrashort pulse train with ultralow timing jitter enables absolute time-of-flight measurements based on a dual-comb implementation, which is typically composed of a pair of optical frequency combs generated by femtosecond lasers. Dead-zone-free absolute distance measurement with sub-micrometer precision and kHz update rate has been routinely achieved with a dual-comb configuration, which is promising for a number of precision manufacturing applications, from large step-structure measurements prevalent in microelectronic profilometry to three coordinate measurements in large-scale aerospace manufacturing and shipbuilding. In this paper, we first review the sub-femtosecond precision timing jitter characterization methods and approaches for ultralow timing jitter mode-locked fiber laser design. Then, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art dual-comb absolute ranging technology in terms of working principles, experimental implementations, and measurement precisions. Finally, we discuss the impact of quantum-limited timing jitter on the dual-comb ranging precision at a high update rate. The route to highprecision dual-comb range finder design based on ultralow jitter femtosecond fiber lasers is proposed.

Theoretical Analysis of Gain and Threshold Current Density for Long Wavelength GaAs-Based Quantum-Dot Lasers'

Quantum dot gain spectra based on harmonic oscillator model are calculated including and excluding excitons. The effects of non-equilibrium distributions are considered at low temperatures. The variations of threshold current density in a wide temperature range are analyzed and the negative characteristic temperature and oscillatory characteristic temperature appearing in that temperature range are discussed. Also,the improvement of quantum dot lasers＇ performance is investigated through vertical stacking and p-type doping and the optimal dot density, which corresponds to minimal threshold current density,is calculated.

GSMBE-Grown InGaAs/InGaAsP Strained Quantum Well Lasers at 1.84 Micron Wavelength

GSMBE grown 1 84 micron wavelength InGaAs/InGaAsP/InP strained quantum well lasers are reported. Lasers with 800 micron long cavity and 40 micron wide planar electrical stripe have been operated under the pulsed regime at room temperature. At 20℃, the threshold current density is 3 8kA/cm 2 and the external different quantum efficiency is 9 3%.

Synchronization of Chaotic Intensities and Phases in an Array of N Lasers

A linear array of N mutually coupled single-mode lasers is investigated. It is shown that the intensities of N lasers are chaotically synchronized when the coupling between lasers is relatively strong. The chaotic synchronization of intensities depends on the location of the lasers in the array. The chaotic synchronization appears between two outmost lasers, the second two outmost lasers, etc. There is no synchronization between nearest neighbors of the lasers. If the number of N is odd, the middle laser is never synchronized between any lasers. The chaotic synchronization of phases between nearest lasers in the array is examined by using the analytic signal and the Gaussian filter methods based on the peak of the power spectrum of the intensity. It can be seen that the message of chaotic intensity synchronization is conveyed through the phase synchronization.