Cavity Mode Injected Laser in Pulse and USLP regimes (CAMILA-P and CAMILA-USLP)
Abstract
The ability to control the critical parameters of laser radiation, such as the lasing frequency, or the-wavelength, pulse duration a,sing frequency, while not many options exist when it comes to controlling the spatio-temporal characteristics of the lasers, which c,an be either CW or pulsed. In its turn, the latter one can be segregated in a free-running oscillation or Q-switch regime with its s,ubsequent derivatives, such as nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond regimes.-Another essential factor of practical interest is the, ability to control the profile of the laser beam. While-many applications do well with the Gaussian-shaped beam, certain specific c,ases would perform better with a more complex structure of the laser beam. Such spatial modifications go beyond shaping of the beam, profile and may require an actual transformation of the spatial pattern of the fluence in the outgoing light field. Adapting the sp,sing field can be described by a set of orthogonal modes.-Shaping the laser beam with its spatio-angular structure equivalent to a c,ertain transverse mode of the cavity is normally made by using an intra-cavity selector with the corresponding spatial structure. Th,e role of the selector is to impose losses on the undesired modes, allowing the preferred one to survive. The use of the spatial fil,tering technique however results in the reduced output power and plug-in efficiency of the entire laser system. More important is th,e fact that this rudimental technique doesn?t secure lasing of the fluence pattern of interest, as non-uniformities of the gain medi,um impact the structure of the selected mode. Development of the laser with such configuration should enable novel opportunities for, laser beam generation with optimal, controlled and reproducible spatio-angular structure of the beam and its power. The versatile c,haracter of the CAvity Mode Injected LAser (CAMILA) architecture should allow its equal use for different CW and pulse lasing regime,s, down to the ultra-short time scale. A three-tier program schedule is considered to reach the NAVY required parameters. Tier one,, or Basic PoP, shall establish the basic model of the injected mode (cavity) laser, simulate its operation and analyze the performan,ce in CW regime. Arrive at an optimal configuration of the generic CAMILA laser mode beam injector and assess the technology that ca,n perform an active intra-cavity mode switching. In tier two (Option I) we launch the design of the CAMILA pulse module (CAMILA-P),, evaluate its performance and operational parameters specific to an active mode switching configuration. The studies shall analyze a,n optimal switch time, sharp vs soft edge spatial selector, and the performance of dual cavity configuration. Finally, tier three (O,ption II) will focus on modeling the CAMILA-USLP operation, ,e of the radiation participating in the mode build-up, especially the ability of the individual channels to compile specific mode an,d efficiency of the required energy/power exchange between mode and injection cavities. True needs exist in defense and commercial s,ectors for the technique that enables the lasing beam of a distinct spatial configuration. Depending upon the regime of oscillation,, i.e. CW or pulse, some of the examples include the use of such structured fluence for more effective materials processing, selectiv,e laser 3D printing with a profiled power distribution, laser beam combining, fluence pattern-based image recognition, 3D array lida,rs, or the pre-set spatial structure of filamentation resulting from USLP propagating in the optically nonlinear medium.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212768
Entities
People
- Vladimir Markov
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy