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.

Design and Research of Active Gravity Unloading Device for Large Aperture Optical Mirror

The large aperture optical mirror for space is processed and tested in the gravity environment on the ground. After entering space, gravity disappears due to the change of environment, and the mirror surface that has met the engineering requirements on the ground will change, seriously affecting the imaging quality. In order to eliminate the influence of gravity and to ensure the consistency of space and ground, gravity unloading must be performed. In order to meet the requirements of processing and testing for the large aperture space mirror in the state of vertical optical axis, a universal gravity unloading device was proposed. It was an active support and used air cylinders to provide accurate unloading force. First, the design flow of gravity unloading was introduced;then the detailed design of the mechanical structure and control system was given;then the performance parameters of the two types of cylinders were tested and compared, including the force-pressure relationship curve and the force-position relationship curve;finally, the experimental verification of the gravity unloading device was carried out;for a mirror with an aperture of ?2100 mm, the gravity unloading device was designed and a vertical detection optical path was built. The test results showed that by using this gravity unloading device, the actual processing surface accuracy of the mirror was better than 1/50λ-RMS, which met the application requirement of the optical system. Thus, it can be seen that using this gravity unloading device can effectively unload the gravity of the mirror and realize the accurate processing and measurement of the mirror surface. .

Asymmetrical mirror optimization for a 140 GHz TE_(22,6) quasi-optical mode converter system

We introduce an asymmetrical mirror design to a 140 GHz TE_（22,6） quasi-optical（QO） mode converter system to correct the asymmetry of the beam＇s field distribution caused by the Denisov launcher. By such optimization, the output beam with better symmetrical distribution is obtained at the system＇s output window. Based on the calculated results,the QO mode converter system＇s performance is already satisfying without iterative phase correction. Scalar and vector correlation coefficients between the output beam and the fundamental Gaussian beam are respectively 98.4% and 93.0%,while the total power transmission efficiency of the converter system is 94.4%. The assistance of optical ray tracing to the design of such QO mode converters is introduced and discussed as well.

Fuzzy Proportional Integral Derivative control of a voice coil actuator system for adaptive deformable mirrors

Research on adaptive deformable mirror technology for voice coil actuators(VCAs)is an important trend in the development of large ground-based telescopes.A voice coil adaptive deformable mirror contains a large number of actuators,and there are problems with structural coupling and large temperature increases in their internal coils.Additionally,parameters of the traditional proportional integral derivative(PID)control cannot be adjusted in real-time to adapt to system changes.These problems can be addressed by introducing fuzzy control methods.A table lookup method is adopted to replace real-time calculations of the regular fuzzy controller during the control process,and a prototype platform has been established to verify the effectiveness and robustness of this process.Experimental tests compare the control performance of traditional and fuzzy proportional integral derivative(Fuzzy-PID)controllers,showing that,in system step response tests,the fuzzy control system reduces rise time by 20.25%,decreases overshoot by 78.24%,and shortens settling time by 67.59%.In disturbance rejection experiments,fuzzy control achieves a 46.09%reduction in the maximum deviation,indicating stronger robustness.The Fuzzy-PID controller,based on table lookup,outperforms the standard controller significantly,showing excellent potential for enhancing the dynamic performance and disturbance rejection capability of the voice coil motor actuator system.

Controllable optical mirror of cesium atoms with four-wave mixing

The controllable optical mirror is experimentally accomplished in a A-type three-level atomic system coupled with standing wave. It is shown that the reflection of probe light results from electromagnetically-induced-transparency-based four-wave mixing, therefore the reflection efficiency is highly dependent on the angle for phase matching condition between the probe and coupling fields. The measured reflection spectra show good agreement with dispersion compensation theory.

Wideband All-Polarization-Maintaining Yb-Doped Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Using a Nonlinear Optical Loop Mirror

We report on a wide-band and stable mode-locked all-polarization-maintaining fiber laser configuration using a nonlinear optical loop mirror. The central wavelength of the laser is 1080.14nm and the 3dB bandwidth is 20.29nm. The repetition rate of the pulse is 3.28 MHz and the pulse width is 848ps. By tuning the pump power, which is centered at 980nrn, from 300mW to 380mW, we obtain a linearly changed output power from 6row to 7.12roW. The all-polarization-mMntaining fiber configuration is fundamental to the stability of the output power.

Effects of Higher-order Dispersion on Time Delay in Femtosecond Pulse Generated from a Nonlinear Optical Loop Mirror Constructed from Dispersion Decreasing Fiber

The time delay（TD） of femtoseeond pulses is studied for the first time, which generated from the nonlinear optical loop mirror composed of dispersion decreasing fiber（DDF-NOLM）. The results show that the higher-order dispersion and high order nonlinearities such as Raman frequency shift play a key role in producing TD, and that the time delay ean be suppressed by the third-order dispersion（TOD） in DDF-NOLM. The mechanism of the time delay suppression is also discussed in detail.

Nonlinear Dynamics in Directly Modulated Semiconductor Lasers with Optical Loop Mirror Feedback

The investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of a semiconductor laser based on nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) feedback using Ge doped optical fiber was carried out experimentally. Animations of compilations of the output power as a function of time series and phase plane with effects of optical feedback level, carrier current and modulation signal strength are demonstrated as a tool to give insight into the laser dynamics. Different dynamic states, including 2×, 4× multiplication and quasi-periodic and periodic frequency-locked pulsing states extended to chaotic behaviour were observed by varying the parameters of modulated frequency and optical feedback strength. The frequency-locked pulsing states were observed to exhibit a harmonic frequency-locking phenomenon and the pulsing frequency is locked to a harmonic nonlinearity in loop instead of the modulated frequency.

Endoscopic Optical Doppler Tomography Based on Two-Axis Scanning MEMS Mirror

We study the feasibility of endoscopic optical Doppler tomography with a micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS) mirror based probe. The additional phase shifts introduced by the probe are tracked and formulated.The suppression method of the probe phase shifts is proposed and validated by fluid flow detection experiments.In vivo blood flow detection is also implemented on a hairless mouse. The velocities of the blood flow in two directions are obtained to be-8.1 mm/s and 6.6 mm/s, respectively.

Demonstration of Orbital-Angular-Momentum-Based Optical Switching Using Dual-Area Mirrors

We have designed an optical separation device called dual-area mirror for the data link of orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexing. Experiments show that the OAM multiplexed beams can be switched by using dual-area mirrors, using OOK to modulate four channels separately to form two inputs, channel A and channel B. There are two OAM beams that are multiplexed in each of channel A and channel B, using a spatial light modulator (SLM) to convert the OAM multiplexed beams in each channel. One of the beams is converted into a Gaussian beam, and then separated by a dual-area mirror, so as to realize the switch of a beam carrying different data in the two channels. Then these channels are detected. The waveform indicates that the switch is successful, and the measured optical power indicates that the dual-area mirror can reduce the bit error rate in the communication links. In addition, the device reduces the experimental cost, is easy to implement, is easy to integrate, and increases the angle between the separated beams.

A slope-based decoupling algorithm to simultaneously control dual deformable mirrors in a woofer–tweeter adaptive optics system

We propose a slope-based decoupling algorithm to simultaneously control the dual deformable mirrors （DMs） in a woofer-tweeter adaptive optics system. This algorithm can directly use the woofer＇s response matrix measured from a Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor to construct a slope-based orthogonal basis, and then selectively distribute the large- amplitude low-order aberration to woofer DM and the remaining aberration to tweeter DM through the slope-based orthogonal basis. At the same moment, in order to avoid the two DMs generating opposite compensation, a constraint matrix used to reset tweeter control vector is convenient to be calculated with the slope-based orthogonal basis. Numeral simulation demonstrates that this algorithm has a good performance to control the adaptive optics system with dual DMs simultaneously. Compared with the typical decoupling algorithm, this algorithm can take full use of the compensation ability of woofer DM and release the stroke of tweeter DM to compensate high-order aberration. More importantly, it does not need to measure the accurate shape of tweeter＇s influence function and keeps better performance of restraining the coupling error with the continuous-dynamic aberration.

Correcting dynamic residual aberrations of conformal optical systems using AO technology

This paper analyses the dynamic residual aberrations of a conformal optical system and introduces adaptive optics （AO） correction technology to this system. The image sharpening AO system is chosen as the correction scheme.Communication between MATLAB and Code V is established via ActiveX technique in computer simulation.The SPGD algorithm is operated at seven zoom positions to calculate the optimized surface shape of the deformable mirror.After comparison of performance of the corrected system with the baseline system,AO technology is proved to be a good way of correcting the dynamic residual aberration in conformal optical design.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT)

Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT)is one of the fastest developing medical imaging technologies that enables non-invasive and non-contact cross-sectional volumetric imaging by detecting the in-terference formed between the reflected signals from reference mirror and from biological samples.

High-resolution visible imaging with piezoelectric deformable secondary mirror: experimental results at the 1.8-m adaptive telescope

Integrating deformable mirrors within the optical train of an adaptive telescope was one of the major innovations in astronomical observation technology,distinguished by its high optical throughput,reduced optical surfaces,and the incorporation of the deformable mirror.Typically,voice-coil actuators are used,which require additional position sensors,internal control electronics,and cooling systems,leading to a very complex structure.Piezoelectric deformable secondary mirror technologies were proposed to overcome these problems.Recently,a high-order piezoelectric deformable secondary mirror has been developed and installed on the 1.8-m telescope at Lijiang Observatory in China to make it an adaptive telescope.The system consists of a 241-actuator piezoelectric deformable secondary mirror,a 192-sub-aperture Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor,and a multi-core-based real-time controller.The actuator spacing of the PDSM measures 19.3 mm,equivalent to approximately 12.6 cm when mapped onto the primary mirror,significantly less than the voicecoil-based adaptive telescopes such as LBT,Magellan and VLT.As a result,stellar images with Strehl ratios above 0.49 in the R band have been obtained.To our knowledge,these are the highest R band images captured by an adaptive telescope with deformable secondary mirrors.Here,we report the system description and on-sky performance of this adaptive telescope.

Pulsations in Optically Pumped Formic Acid 433μm Far Infrared Laser

Pulsation behaviours of optically pumped Formic Acid(HCOOH)433μm laser are observed.Pulsation frequency varies continuously with tilting the output cavity mirror or changing the HCOOH pressure.Unstable pulsations are observed at a relative high pressure or by changing a cavity mirror with higher output loss.

All polarization-maintaining Er:fiber-based optical frequency comb for frequency comparison of optical clocks

We demonstrate an optical frequency comb(OFC)based on a turnkey mode-locked laser with a figure-9-shape structure and polarization-maintaining fibers,for the comparison of frequency among optical clocks with wavelengths of 698 nm,729 nm,1068 nm,and 1156 nm.We adopt a multi-branch approach in order to produce high power OFC signals at these specific wavelengths,enabling the signal-to-noise ratio of the beatnotes between the OFC and the clock lasers to exceed30 d B at a resolution bandwidth of 300 k Hz.This approach makes the supercontinuum spectra much easier to be generated than a single branch OFC.However,more out-of-loop fibers degrade the long-term frequency instability due to thermal drift.To minimize the thermal drift effect,we set the fiber lengths of different branches to be similar,and we stabilize the temperature as well.The out-of-loop frequency instability of the OFC due to the incoherence of the multi-branch is about5.5×10^(19) for 4000 s,while the in-loop frequency instability of fceo and that of fbeat are 7.5×10^(18) for 1 s and 8.5×10^(18) for 1 s,respectively.The turnkey OFC meets the requirement for the comparison of frequency between the best optical clocks.

A Compact MEMS-Based Optical Scanning System with Large Field of View for Lidars

In this work, a design of a compact optical MEMS-based lidar scanning system with a large field of view (FOV) and small distortion is presented. The scanning system applies an off-axis structure and the length of the system can be reduced to about 10 cm in an optimized way. Simulation results show that a large FOV is achieved under a uniform scanning scheme. In addition, the spot size less than 20 cm at distance of 100 m is also realized. The optical scanning system can be used for the vehicle-mounted Lidar.

宽角度位相调控反射镜的设计与研制

宽角度位相调控反射镜是下一代中高轨量子通信系统中的核心元件,用于宽角度范围内信号光的高效传递与偏振态的精确调控。基于等效多层膜理论,采用介质反射膜堆加非规整位相调控膜的膜系结构,设计了一种宽角度位相调控反射镜。选择Nb2O5和SiO2分别作为高、低折射率薄膜材料,通过误差分析,优化沉积工艺,采用电子束蒸发结合离子辅助沉积的方式,在德国莱宝Lab900-plus设备上制备出该薄膜元件。研制结果表明,反射镜在780 nm处、45°±7.5°入射范围内,其反射率大于99.3%,位相差控制在3°以内,满足量子通信系统的反射率及位相差控制要求,且通过相关环境模拟实验,满足可靠性要求,为该类偏振调控薄膜元件在下一代中高轨量子卫星中的工程应用打下了坚实的基础。

大型太阳望远镜镜面视宁度的实验研究

太阳望远镜内部因太阳辐射作用使镜面升温,镜面上方产生局部大气湍流,导致镜面视宁度不佳,从而造成像质的严重衰减。文中基于温度梯度和气体流动导致固体-流场的耦合作用,提出镜面视宁度效应的形成机制,建立湍流大气光学产生镜面视宁度效应的理论,利用1 550 mm大口径双曲面镜的实验数据推导并验证镜面视宁度的实验模型,并对太阳望远镜主镜温控目标进行确定。在自然对流和强迫对流两种条件下,不同环境风速时镜面温差改变对镜面视宁度的影响。结果表明:镜面温差和环境风速与镜面视宁度相关性很强,增加主动通风可以降低镜面视宁度。温差是4℃条件下,自然对流时镜面视宁度为1.43″;温差是3℃条件下,0.2 m/s强迫对流时镜面视宁度为0.44″,1 m/s强迫对流时镜面视宁度为0.27″。根据镜面视宁度效应容差标准,在0.2 m/s强迫对流条件下,镜面-空气温差应控制在0.2 K以下;在1.0 m/s强迫对流条件下,镜面-空气温差应控制在1 K以下。此研究成果旨在揭示空气湍流的形成机理与传播规律及其对望远镜像质退化影响规律,为提升大口径太阳望远镜工作分辨率奠定基础。

一种可调焦离轴两反光学系统精密调校工艺技术研究

针对可调焦离轴两反光学系统的精密装调,提出了一种共基准调校方法,使导轨导向与主镜和次镜光轴均以同一基准进行精确调校,实现导轨运动轴线与主镜和次镜光轴平行。主镜、次镜系统光轴一致性调试采用初调整和精调整两步完成,初调整实现主镜和次镜基本位于理论安装位置,降低装调误差,然后进行计算机辅助装调,实现主镜和次镜光轴一致性精调整,使系统波像差满足要求。实验结果表明:无穷远处系统波像差RMS达到(1/15)λ(λ=632.8 nm),系统衍射分辨率达到0.64″,系统调焦至10 mm处,实测主镜、次镜系统所成焦距为1608 mm,系统分辨率为2.6″,达到设计要求。