Tunable, dual wavelength and self-Q-switched Alexandrite laser using crystal birefringence control
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Published version
Author(s)
Tawy, Goronwy
Damzen, Michael
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We present a red-diode-pumped Alexandrite laser with continuous wavelength tunability, dual wavelength and self-Q-switching in an ultra-compact resonator containing only the gain medium. Wavelength tuning is obtained by varying the geometrical path length and birefringence by tilting a Brewster-cut Alexandrite crystal. Two crystals from independent suppliers are used to demonstrate and compare the performance. Wavelength tuning between 750 and 764 nm is demonstrated in the first crystal and between 747 and 768 nm in the second crystal. Stable dual wavelength operation is also obtained in both crystals with wavelength separation determined by the crystal free spectral range. Temperature tuning was also demonstrated to provide finer wavelength tuning at a rate of −0.07 nm K −1. Over a narrow tuning range, stable self-Q-switching is observed with a pulse duration of 660 ns at 135 kHz, which we believe is the highest Q-switched pulse rate in Alexandrite to date. Theoretical modelling is performed showing good agreement with the wavelength tuning and dual wavelength results.
Date Issued
2019-06-24
Date Acceptance
2019-05-16
Citation
Optics Express, 2019, 27 (13), pp.17507-17520
ISSN
1094-4087
Publisher
Optical Society of America (OSA)
Start Page
17507
End Page
17520
Journal / Book Title
Optics Express
Volume
27
Issue
13
Copyright Statement
© 2019 The Author(s). Published by The Optical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.
Sponsor
European Space Agency / Estec
Innovate UK
European Space Agency
Grant Number
4000115840/15/NL/RA/zk
EP/R00420X/1
31890016
Subjects
Optics
0205 Optical Physics
1005 Communications Technologies
0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2019-06-10