Noise-sidebands-free and ultra-low-RIN 1.5 μm single-frequency fiber laser towards coherent optical detection

A noise-sidebands-free and ultra-low relative intensity noise(RIN) 1.5 μm single-frequency fiber laser is demonstrated for the first time to our best knowledge. Utilizing a self-injection locking framework and a booster optical amplifier, the noise sidebands with relative amplitudes as high as 20 dB are completely suppressed.The RIN is remarkably reduced by more than 64 dB at the relaxation oscillation peak to retain below-150 dB∕Hz in a frequency range from 75 kHz to 50 MHz, while the quantum noise limit is -152.9 d B∕Hz.Furthermore, a laser linewidth narrower than 600 Hz, a polarization-extinction ratio of more than 23 dB, and an optical signal-to-noise ratio of more than 73 dB are acquired simultaneously. This noise-sidebands-free and ultralow-RIN single-frequency fiber laser is highly competitive in advanced coherent light detection fields including coherent Doppler wind lidar, high-speed coherent optical communication, and precise absolute distance coherent measurement.

Multi-functional bismuth-doped bioglasses: combining bioactivity and photothermal response for bone tumor treatment and tissue repair

Treatment of large bone defects derived from bone tumor surgery is typically performed in multiple separate operations,such as hyperthermia to extinguish residual malignant cells or implanting bioactive materials to initiate apatite remineralization for tissue repair;it is very challenging to combine these functions into a material.Herein,we report the first photothermal(PT)effect in bismuth(Bi)-doped glasses.On the basis of this discovery,we have developed a new type of Bi-doped bioactive glass that integrates both functions,thus reducing the number of treatment cycles.We demonstrate that Bi-doped bioglasses(BGs)provide high PT efficiency,potentially facilitating photoinduced hyperthermia and bioactivity to allow bone tissue remineralization.The PT effect of Bi-doped BGs can be effectively controlled by managing radiative and non-radiative processes of the active Bi species by quenching photoluminescence(PL)or depolymerizing glass networks.In vitro studies demonstrate that such glasses are biocompatible to tumor and normal cells and that they can promote osteogenic cell proliferation,differentiation,and mineralization.Upon illumination with near-infrared(NIR)light,the bioglass(BG)can efficiently kill bone tumor cells,as demonstrated via in vitro and in vivo experiments.This indicates excellent potential for the integration of multiple functions within the new materials,which will aid in the development and application of novel biomaterials.

High-efficiency and high-power single-frequency fiber laser at 1.6μm based on cascaded energy-transfer pumping

In this paper,a technique combining the cascaded energy-transfer pumping(CEP)method and master-oscillator power-amplifier(MOPA)configuration is proposed for power scaling of 1.6-μm-band single-frequency fiber lasers(SFFLs),where the Er^(3+)ion has a limited gain.The CEP technique is fulfilled by coupling a primary signal light at 1.6μm and a C-band auxiliary laser.The numerical model of the fiber amplifier with the CEP technique reveals that the energy transfer process involves the pump competition and the in-band particle transition between the signal and auxiliary lights.Moreover,for the signal emission,the population density in the upper level is enhanced,and the effective population inversion is achieved thanks to the CEP.A single-frequency MOPA laser at 1603 nm with an output power of 52.6 W and an improved slope efficiency of 30.4%is experimentally obtained through the CEP technique.Besides,a laser linewidth of 5.2 k Hz and a signal-to-auxiliary laser ratio of 60.7 d B are obtained at the maximum output power.The proposed technique is anticipated to be promising for increasing the slope efficiency and power scaling for fiber lasers operating at L band.

Three-level all-fiber laser at 915 nm based on polarization-maintaining Nd^3+-doped silica fiber

Nd3+-doped fiber lasers at around 900 nm based on the 4F3/2→4I9/2 transition have obtained much research attention since they can be used as the laser sources for generating pure blue fiber lasers through the frequency doubling.Here,an all-fiber laser at 915 nm was realized by polarization-maintaining Nd3+-doped silica fiber.A net gain per unit length of up to 1.0 dB/cm at 915 nm was obtained from a 4.5 cm fiber,which to our best knowledge is the highest gain coefficient reported in this kind of silica fiber.The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency varies with the active fiber length and the reflectivity of the output fiber Bragg grating(FBG),presenting an optimal value of 5.3%at 5.1 cm fiber length and 70%reflectivity of the low reflection FBG.Additionally,the linear distributed Bragg reflector short cavity was constructed to explore its potential in realizing single-frequency 915 nm fiber laser.The measurement result of longitudinal-mode properties shows it is still multi-longitudinal mode laser operation with 40 mm laser cavity.These results indicate that the Nd3+-doped silica fiber could be used to realize all-fiber laser at 915 nm,which presents potential to be the seed source of high-power fiber laser.

In situ instant generation of an ultrabroadband near-infrared emission center in bismuth-doped borosilicate glasses via a femtosecond laser

Bismuth(Bi)-doped photonic materials, which exhibit broadband near-infrared(NIR) luminescence(1000–1600 nm), are evolving into interesting gain media. However, the traditional methods have shown their limitations in enhancing Bi NIR emission, especially in the microregion. Consequently, the typical NIR emission has seldom been achieved in Bi-doped waveguides, which highly restricts the application of Bi-activated materials.Here, superbroadband Bi NIR emission is induced in situ instantly in the grating region by a femtosecond(fs)laser inside borosilicate glasses. A series of structural and spectroscopic characterizations are summoned to probe the generation mechanism. And we show how this novel NIR emission in the grating region can be enhanced significantly and erased reversibly. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrate Bi-activated optical waveguides.These results present new insights into Bi-doped materials and push the development of broadband waveguide amplification.

Experimental demonstration of transverse mode instability enhancement by a counter-pumped scheme in a 2 kW all-fiberized laser

Transverse mode instability(TMI)has become the major limitation for power scaling of fiber lasers with nearly diffraction-limited beam quality.Compared with a co-pumped fiber laser,a counter-pumped fiber laser reveals TMI threshold enhancement through a semi-analytical model calculation.We demonstrated a 2 kW high-power counter-pumped all-fiberized laser without observation of TMI.Compared with the co-pumped scheme,the TMI threshold is enhanced at least 50%in counter-pumped scheme,moreover,stimulated Raman scattering and four-wave mixing are suppressed simultaneously.

Correction:Multi-functional bismuth-doped bioglasses:combining bioactivity and photothermal response for bone tumor treatment and tissue repair

In this originally published article,we have noticed several mistakes.They should be corrected as follows:1.On page 1,the second affiliation(No.5)of the author“Chuanbin Mao”should be deleted as he does not belong to that affiliation.Namely,he should be only listed with(Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center,University of Oklahoma,Norman,OK 73072,USA).