Waveguide Amplifiers Using Cr: Forsterite and Cr: YAG.
Abstract
Using an optical composite of Cr-doped forsterite nanocrystals embedded in a polymer host with matching refractive index, a waveguide has been built which displays optical gain up to 3dB/cm at 1.25 micrometers. This gain magnitude is significantly larger than that obtained from Er-doped glass fibers, and illustrates the potential for optical composite materials. In a similar experiment, we demonstrated optical gain from Cr:diopside at 800 nm. Diopside has never been grown in large single crystal form, so this is the first report of stimulated emission from this material. We demonstrated stable femtosecond pulse generation from a Cr:YAG laser using a Saturable Bragg Reflector as an end mirror of the laser cavity. This technique of modelocking allows long term femtosecond laser operation of the laser with reasonable (50 mW) output power and tuning from 1488 nm to 1535 nm. In a similar experiment, the Saturable Bragg Reflector was put into a color center laser cavity and generated stable modelocked pulses from this laser. Pulse duration extended from 100 femtosecond up to 2 psec depending on the focussing of the intracavity beam on the Saturable Bragg Reflector.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA325805
Entities
People
- Clifford Pollock
Organizations
- Yale University