Laser Wakefield Acceleration Using Mid-Infrared Laser Pulses

We study a laser wakefield acceleration driven by mid-infrared （mid-IR） laser pulses through two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Since a mid-IR laser pulse can deliver a larger ponderomotive force as compared with the usual 0.8 μm wavelength laser pulse, it is found that electron self-injection into the wake wave occurs at an earlier time, the plasma density threshold for injection becomes lower, and the electron beam charge is substantially enhanced. Meanwhile, our study also shows that quasimonoenergetic electron beams with a narrow energy-spread can be generated by using mid-IR laser pulses. Such a mid-IR laser pulse can provide a feasible method for obtaining a high quality and high charge electron beam. Therefore, the current efforts on constructing mid-IR terawatt laser systems can greatly benefit the laser wakefield acceleration research.

Fiber laser pumped burst-mode operated picosecond mid-infrared laser

We demonstrate a compact periodically poled MgO-doped lithium niobate（MgO：PPLN）-based optical parametric oscillator（OPO） quasi-synchronously pumped by a fiber laser system with burst-mode operation.The pump source is a peak-power-selectable pulse-multiplied picosecond Yb fiber laser.The chirped pulses from a figure of eight-cavity modelocked fiber laser seed are narrowed to a duration of less than 50 ps using an FBG reflector and a circulator.The narrowed pulses are directed to pass through a pulse multiplier and to form pulse bunches,each of which is composed of 13 subpulses.The obtained pulse bunches are amplified by two-stage fiber pre-amplifiers：one-stage is core-pumped and the other is cladding-pumped.A fiberized acousto-optic modulator is inserted to control the pulse repetition rate（PRR） of the pulse bunches before they are power-amplified in the final amplifier stage with a large mode area（LMA） PM Yb-doped fiber.The maximum average powers from the final amplifier are 85 W,60 W,and 45 W,respectively,corresponding to the PRR of2.72 MHz,1.36 MHz,and 0.68 MHz.The amplified pulses are directed to pump an MgO：PPLN-based optical parametric oscillator（OPO）.A maximum peak power at 3.45 μm is obtained approximately to be 8.4 kW.Detailed performance characteristics are presented.

Guest Editorial Special Issue on Mid-Infrared Lasers and Applications

Mid-infrared （mid-IR） lasers, generally defined as having an operation wavelength in the spectral region of 2μm to 20μm, have attracted great scientific and technological interests owing to their widespread applications. This wavelength range not only contains some strong vibration transitions of many important molecules, thus, exhibiting enormous potential in medical, spectroscopy.

Generation of broadly tunable picosecond mid-infrared laser and sensitive detection of a mid-infrared signal by parametric frequency up-conversion in MgO:LiNbO_3 optical parametric amplifiers

Picosecond optical parametric generation and amplification in the near-infrared region within 1.361-1.656 μm and the mid-infrared region within 2.976-4.875 μm is constructed on the basis of bulk MgO：LiNbO 3 crystals pumped at 1.064 μm.The maximum pulse energy reaches 1.3 mJ at 1.464 μm and 0.47 mJ at 3.894 μm,corresponding to a pumpto-idler photon conversion efficiency of 25%.By seeding the hard-to-measure mid-infrared radiation as the idler in the optical parametric amplification and measuring the amplified and frequency up-converted signal in the near-infrared or even visible region,one can measure very week mid-infrared radiation with ordinary detectors,which are insensitive to mid-infrared radiation,with a very high gain.A maximum gain factor of about 7 脳 10 7 is achieved at the mid-infrared wavelength of 3.374 μm and the corresponding energy detection limit is as low as about 390 aJ per pulse.

Development of a Broadly Tunable Mid-Infrared Laser Source for Highly Sensitive Multiple Trace Gas Detection

A room-temperature broadly tunable mid-infrared difference frequency laser source for highly sensitive trace gas detection has been developed recently in our laboratory. The mid-infrared laser system is based on quasi-phase-matched （QPM） difference frequency generation （DFG） in a multigrating, temperature-controlled periodically poled LiNbO3 （PPLN） crystal and employs two near-infrared diode lasers as pump sources. The mid-infrared coherent radiation generated is tunable from 3.2 μm to 3.7μm with an output power of about 100 μW. By changing one of the pump laser head with another wavelength range, we can readily obtain other needed mid-infrared wavelength range cover. The performance of the mid-infrared laser system and its application to highly sensitive spectroscopic detection of CH4, HCl, CH2O, and NO2 has been carried out. A multi-reflection White cell was used in the experiment gaining ppb-level sensitivity. The DFG laser system has the features of compact, room-temperature operation, narrow line-width, and broadly continuous tunable range for potential applications in industry and environmental monitoring.

Experimental and numerical investigation of mid-infrared laser in Pr^(3+)-doped chalcogenide fiber

We report on a chalcogenide glass fiber doped with Pr^(3+) that can be used for commercialized 1.5-μm and 2-μm laser excitations by emitting broadband 3 μm–5.5 μm fluorescence, which is extruded into a preform and then drawn into a step-index fiber. The spectroscopic properties of the fiber and glass are reported, and the mid-infrared fiber lasers are also numerically investigated. Cascade lasing is employed to increase the inversion population of the upper laser level. The particle swarm approach is applied to optimize the fiber laser parameters. The output power can reach 1.28 W at 4.89-μm wavelength, with a pump power of 5 W, excitation wavelength at 2.04 μm, Pr^(3+) ion concentration at 4.22 × 10^(25) ions/m^3,fiber length at 0.94 m, and fiber background loss at 3 dB/m.

High performance GaSb based digital-grown InGaSb/AlGaAsSb mid-infrared lasers and bars

InGaSb/AlGaAsSb double-quantum-well diode lasers emitting around 2 μm are demonstrated. The AlGaAsSb barriers of the lasers are grown with digital alloy techniques consisting of binary AlSb/AlAs/GaSb short-period pairs. Peak power conversion efficiency of 26% and an efficiency higher than 16% at 1 W are achieved at continuous-wave operation for a 2-mm-long and 100-μm-wide stripe laser. The maximum output power of a single emitter reaches to 1.4 W at 7 A.19-emitter bars with maximum efficiency higher than 20% and maximum power of 16 W are fabricated. Lasers with the short-period-pair barriers are proved to have improved temperature properties and wavelength stabilities. The characteristic temperature(T_0) is up to 140?C near room temperature(25–55?C).

Carrier-envelope phase effects on high-harmonic generation driven by mid-infrared laser field

The influence of the carrier-envelope phase on high-harmonic generation is investigated, both experimentally and theoretically, for three different interaction gas media, driven by mid-infrared, few-cycle and CEP-stabiUzed laser pulses. Different patterns of harmonic spectra with varying CEP for the three interaction gas media are observed. Furthermore, in comparing our experiment results to the previous works driven by near-infrared laser pulses, different phenomena are found. Through numerical simulation, we find that for the two different kinds of driving fields, i.e. mid-infrared and near-infrared laser pulses, different kinds of electron trajectories contribute to the generation of high harmonics.

Mid-infrared lightly Er^(3+)-doped CaF_(2)laser under acousto–optical modulation

A 1.7-at.%Er:CaF_(2)crystal was synthesized by temperature gradient method.The Er:CaF_(2)crystal was applied in acousto-optically Q-switched laser at mid-infrared region for the first time.Using a Te O_(2)-based crystal as Q-switcher,we obtained a laser diode(LD)end-pumped Er:CaF_(2)laser with the highest single pulse energy up to 0.49 mJ and maximum peak power of 0.56 kW under 6.34-W absorbed pump power.The implication of these results is that the low-doped Er:CaF_(2)crystal exhibits promising optical properties in solid-state lasers.

Rapid Detection of Accelerants in Fire Debris Using a Field Portable Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Laser Based Analyzer

Arson presents a challenging crime scene for fire investigators worldwide. Key to the investigation of suspected arson cases is the analysis of fire debris for the presence of accelerants or ignitable liquids. This study has investigated the application and method development of vapor phase mid-Infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy using a field portable quantum cascade laser (QCL) based system for the detection and identification of accelerant residues such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol in fire debris. A searchable spectral library of various ignitable fluids and fuel components measured in the vapor phase was constructed that allowed for real-time identification of accelerants present in samples using software developed in-house. Measurement of vapors collected from paper material that had been doused with an accelerant followed by controlled burning and then extinguished with water showed that positive identification could be achieved for gasoline, diesel, and ethanol. This vapor phase mid-IR QCL method is rapid, easy to use, and has the sensitivity and discrimination capability that make it well suited for non-destructive crime scene sample analysis. Sampling and measurement can be performed in minutes with this 7.5 kg instrument. This vibrational spectroscopic method required no time-consuming sample pretreatment or complicated solvent extraction procedure. The results of this initial feasibility study demonstrate that this portable fire debris analyzer would greatly benefit arson investigators performing analysis on-site.

Mid-Infrared Lasers With Low Threshold and Photodetectors

We report the growth, fabrication, and operation of 2.0μm InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb laser diodes and 8.5μm GaInAs/AlInAs quantum cascade lasers with low threshold current and the latest improvements in the performance of InGaAsSb photodetectors by passivation treatment.

Theoretical study and optimization of a high power mid-infrared erbium-doped ZBLAN fibre laser

Based on the rate equations describing the erbium-doped fluoride glass （ZBLAN） fibre lasers with different pumping configurations being taken into account, this paper presents theoretical calculations related to the dynamic population density and the operation performance of a high power mid-infrared all-fibre erbium-doped ZBLAN fibre laser. It shows that the ground-state absorption, excited-state absorption and energy-transfer-upconversion processes co-exist and produce a population balance, causing the laser to operate stably at a continuous wave state. A good agreement between the theoretical results and recent experimental measurement is obtained. Furthermore, the laser structure parameters including fibre length, reflectance of output fibre Bragg grating and pumping configurations are quantitatively optimised to achieve the best performance. The results show, as expected, that the slope efficiency of the fibre laser can be improved significantly through optimisation, which then provides an important guide for the design of high-performance mid-infrared erbium-doped ZBLAN fibre lasers.

Towards all-fiber structure pulsed mid-infrared laser by gas-filled hollow-core fibers

We report here on a diode-pumped pulsed mid-infrared laser source based on gas-filled hollow-core fibers(HCFs)towards an all-fiber structure by the tapering method. The pump laser is coupled into an acetylene-filled HCF through a tapered single-mode fiber. By precisely tuning the wavelength of the diode to match different absorption lines of acetylene near 1.5 μm, mid-infrared emission around 3.1–3.2 μm is generated. With 2 m HCFs and3 mbar acetylene gas, a maximum average power of 130 m W is obtained with a laser slope efficiency of ~24%.This work provides a potential scheme for all-fiber mid-infrared fiber gas lasers.

A novel 2-μm pulsed fiber laser based on a supercontinuum source and its application to mid-infrared supercontinuum generation

A new method to achieve 2-μm pulsed fiber lasers based on a supercontinuum （SC） is demonstrated. The incident pump light is a pulsed SC which contains a pump light and a signal light at the same time. The initial signal of the seed laser is provided by the incident pump light and amplified in the cavity. Based on this, we obtain a 2-μm pulsed laser with pulse repetition rate of 50 kHz and pulse width of 2 ns from the Tm-doped fiber laser. This 2-μm pulsed laser is amplified by two stages of fiber amplifiers, then the amplified laser is used for mid-infrared （mid-IR） SC generation in a 10-m length of ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AIF3-NaF （ZBLAN） fiber. An all-fiber-integrated mid-IR SC with spectrum ranging from 1.8 ~tm to 4.3 μm is achieved. The maximal average output power of the mid-IR SC from the ZBLAN fiber is 1.24 W （average output power beyond 2.5 μm is 340 mW）, corresponding to an output efficiency of 6.6% with respect to the 790-nm pump power.

Mid-infrared laser with 1.2 W output power based on PPLT

The optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on the periodically poled lithium tantalate (PPLT) crystal (40 mm×5 mm×1 mm) is fabricated. The OPO is pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser working at 1.064 μm. An average idler output power (around 3.8 μm) of 1.2 W and signal output power (around 1.48 μm) of 3 W are obtained when the pump power is 20 W.

A series of Er3+-activated SrLaGa3O7 single crystal fibers for mid-infrared laser application

A multidisciplinary approach for the production and characterization of a series of high concentration Er3+activated SrLaGa3 O7(abbreviated as Er:SLGO)crystal fibers is shown to have a great promise for implementation in mid-infrared laser applications.The current approach includes the design and formation of unique layered tetrahedral network structures with several kinds of rare earth(RE)ions including Er ions distributing statistically between layers,such as Er:SLGO,Er,Nd:SLGO,Er,Yb,Ho:SLGO,Er,Eu:SLGO and Er,Ho:SLGO.Five kinds of Er:SLGO crystal fibers were designed to grow via a micropulling down method.Spectroscopic analyses show that Er,Yb,Ho:SLGO and Nd,Er:SLGO crystal fibers were superiorly endowed with inhomogeneous broadening absorption and strong emission.The unique structural components design enables the generation of improved absorption and emission recombination,and the inhibition of self-termination as well.Generally,the use of structural components design may warrant high-efficiency emissions in RE-doped crystal fibers.

LESS-INVASIVE LASER THERAPY AND DIAGNOSIS USING A TABLETOP MID-INFRARED TUNABLE LASER

Since numerous characteristic absorption lines caused by molecular vibration exist in the midinfrared(MIR)wavelength region,selective excitation or selective dissociation of molecules is possible by tuning the laser wavelength to the characteristic absorption lines of target molecules.By applying this feature to the medical fields,less-invasive treatment and non-destructive diagnosis with absorption spectroscopy are possible using tunable MIR lasers.A high-energy nanosecond pulsed MIR tunable laser was obtained with difference-frequency generation(DFG)between a Nd:YAG and a tunable Cr:forsterite lasers.The MIR-DFG laser was tunable in a wavelength range of 5.5–10μm and generated laser pulses with energy of up to 1.4mJ,a pulse width of 5 ns,and a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz.Selective removal of atherosclerotic lesion was successfully demonstrated with the MIR-DFG laser tuned at a wavelength of 5.75μm,which corresponds to the characteristic absorption of the ester bond in cholesterol esters in the atherosclerotic lesions.We have developed a non-destructive diagnostic probe with an attenuated total reflection(ATR)prism and two hollow optical fibers.An absorption spectrum of cholesterol was measured with the ATR probe by scanning the wavelength of the MIR-DFG laser,and the spectrum was in good agreement with that measured with a commercial Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.

Nonperturbative generation of above-threshold harmonics from pre-excited argon atoms in intense mid-infrared laser fields

We experimentally investigate the generation of above-threshold harmonics completely from argon atoms on an excited state using mid-infrared femtosecond laser pulses. The highly nonlinear dependences of the observed signal on the pulse energy and polarization of the probe laser pulses indicate its nonperturbative characteristic.

Efficient combination and enhancement of high-power mid-infrared pulses in plasmas

High-power intense optical sources in the mid-to-long wavelength infrared region are very attractive for a wide range of fields from fundamental research to materials science and biology applications.However,there are still significant challenges in extending long-wavelength infrared pulses into the relativistic regime using conventional optical techniques.Here,based upon a new type of plasma-based optical method,we present an efficient scheme capable of combining several high-power long-wavelength infrared laser pulses into one single,more intense pulse,thus bringing the intensity of the output pulse to the relativistic regime.Such intense infrared pulses will open up new possibilities for strong-field physics and ultrafast applications.Furthermore,this is beneficial to understand the underlying physics and nonlinear processes of modulation,propagation and energy transfer of high-power intense laser pulses in plasmas.

A Comparison of CNN and PLSR for Glucose Monitoring Using Mid-Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

With the development of mid-infrared (MIR) photoelectric devices, mid-infrared spectroscopy has become one of the important methods for non-invasive detection of blood glucose. The mid-infrared region (4000 - 400 cm-1) has the well-known fingerprint region (1200 - 800 cm-1) of glucose, which has clearer characteristic absorption peaks and better specificity. There is a lot of molecular information about glucose in the MIR. The non-invasive detection of blood glucose by mid-infrared spectroscopy needs to achieve certain accuracy, and the quantitative model is an important factor affecting the accuracy of glucose detection. In this paper, the samples of imitation solution containing only glucose and the samples of imitation mixed solution are taken as the research objects, and the mid-infrared spectral data of the samples are collected. The full spectrum partial least squares Regression (PLSR) model, SNV + Ctr-PLSR model, MSC + Ctr-PLSR model, and convolutional neural networks (CNN) model of 3000 - 900 cm-1 band were constructed. Full spectrum PLS model and CNN model of 1200 - 900 cm-1 band were constructed. The experimental results show that the optimal model of the two bands is CNN, then the correlation coefficient of prediction set (Rp) of 3000 - 900 cm-1 band is 0.95, and the root mean square error of pre-diction set (RMSEP) value is 22.10. The Rp of 1200 - 900 cm-1 band is 0.95, and the RMSEP value is 22.54. The research results show that CNN is a promising method, which has higher accuracy than PLSR, and is especially suitable for modeling human complex environment. In addition, the study provides a theoretical and practical basis for CNN in feature selection and model interpretation.