Unidirectional single-frequency operation of a continuous-wave Alexandrite ring laser with wavelength tunability
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Published version
Author(s)
Sheng, Xin
Tawy, Goronwy
Sathian, Juna
Minassian, Ara
Damzen, Michael
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
High resolution spectroscopy, metrology and quantum technologies (e.g. trapping and cooling) require precision laser sources with narrow linewidth and wavelength tunability. The widespread use of these lasers will be promoted if they are cost-effective, compact and efficient. Alexandrite lasers with a broad tuning band pumped efficiently by low-cost red diodes are a potential candidate, but full performance as a precision light source has not been fully achieved. We present in this work the first continuous-wave (CW) and single-frequency operation of a unidirectional diode-end-pumped Alexandrite ring laser with wavelength tunability. An ultra-compact bow-tie ring cavity is developed with astigmatic compensation and a novel ‘displaced mode’ design producing CW output power > 1 W in excellent TEM00 mode (M2 < 1.2) when using a low brightness pump (M2 ≥ 30). Wavelength tuning from 727 - 792 nm is demonstrated using a birefringent filter plate. This successful operation opens the prospects of precision light source applications.
Date Issued
2018-11-12
Date Acceptance
2018-10-05
Citation
Optics Express, 2018, 26 (24), pp.31129-31136
ISSN
1094-4087
Publisher
Optical Society of America (OSA)
Start Page
31129
End Page
31136
Journal / Book Title
Optics Express
Volume
26
Issue
24
Copyright Statement
© 2018. Published by The Optical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.
Sponsor
Innovate UK
Grant Number
EP/R00420X/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Optics
MODE-OPERATION
WATER-VAPOR
EFFICIENT
LIDAR
0205 Optical Physics
1005 Communications Technologies
0906 Electrical And Electronic Engineering
Publication Status
Published