Elia Palange

Reliable single-mode operation and fine frequency tuning of a Nd-glass low-gain oscillator

Abstract We present a simple, easily tunable cavity configuration which, by means of two low-loss frequency selectors, is capable of forcing low-gain oscillators to reliably operate in single mode. Its application for tunable (up to 20 nm), 100% single-mode operation of a Q -switched, low gain ( G =2), Nd-phosphate glass laser is discussed.

Control of intrapulse frequency chirping in long-pulse CO(2) lasers employing perturbation-insensitive optical cavities.

We present the results of intrapulse frequency chirping measurements that were carried out on a TEA CO(2) laser equipped with various conventional and unconventional frequency-selective optical cavities. We experimentally demonstrate that there is a close relationship between the causes and the extent of intrapulse frequency chirping on the one hand and the type of optical configuration that is used for controlling the laser mode behavior on the other. In particular, it is shown that intrapulse chirping of the emitted frequency can be significantly reduced by employing laser cavities terminating in high-finesse reflective multipass interferometers for single-mode selection. In fact, this type of cavity can be designed in such a way to minimize the effects on the emitted frequency of perturbations affecting the cavity optical length.

Optical Configurations Suitable For Reliable Single-Mode Operation Of Tunable Vibronic Low-Gain Lasers

We present a comparative experimental investigation of the performance of a number of different frequency selective optical configurations used for line-narrowing of low-gain, solid-state lasers operated in prelasing Q-switched regime. This study has been carried out by paying particular attention to relevant optical problems for the realization of reliable single-mode, tunable, spaceborne, vibronic lasers.