Spatiotemporal mode-locking in multimode fiber lasers

Abstract

The development of lasers and the quality of the output light has been crucially dependent on understanding and being able to control the process occurring within the laser-generating cavity. In a real laser cavity, there are both longitudinal and transverse modes; for the highest-quality lasers, reducing the effects of the latter has been standard practice. However, using a graded index fiber cavity, Wright et al. demonstrate that the longitudinal and transverse modes can be locked to provide an output of complex coherent light. Harnessing, rather than filtering out, the transverse modes could produce a valuable and flexible light source applicable across a broad range of disciplines.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Oct 06, 2017
Source ID
10.1126/science.aao0831

Entities

People

  • Demetrios N. Christodoulides
  • Frank W Wise
  • Logan G Wright

Organizations

  • Cornell University
  • National Science Foundation
  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of Central Florida

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy