Jonas Hellström

Widely tunable Yb:KYW laser with a volume Bragg grating.

We demonstrate a narrowband, continuously tunable Yb:KYW laser locked by a volume Bragg grating at oblique incidence in a retroreflector configuration. The tuning range was 997 nm to 1050 nm (15 THz) with bandwidth < 0.1 nm and a maximum output power of 4.7 W. In a high-quality beam with M(2) < 1.3, the maximum output power was 1.7 W. We also demonstrate 3 W output power at 1064 nm from the same Yb:KYW laser with the grating at normal incidence.

Fluorescence dynamics and rate equation analysis in Er3+ and Yb3+ doped double tungstates

The fluorescence dynamics in Er3+ and Yb3+ doped KGd(WO4)2 and KY(WO4)2 has been investigated. Lifetimes have been measured for the Yb (2F(5/2)), Er (4I(13/2)), and Er (4S(3/2)) levels around 1, 1.5, and 0.55 microm, respectively. The Yb (2F(5/2)) lifetimes show a decreasing trend toward the limiting Er (4I(11/2)) lifetime with increasing Er-to-Yb concentration ratio, whereas the Er (4I(13/2)) lifetimes are mostly unaffected by the doping concentrations. A rate equation analysis has been performed to explain the observed behavior and gain is calculated for a continuous-wave laser at 1.53 microm to find the optimum doping concentrations for high gain.

Finite Beams in Reflective Volume Bragg Gratings: Theory and Experiments

We present a theoretical model to describe finite beams incident on reflective volume Bragg gratings. We also give experimental results that verify our model. From these results, we identify certain properties of reflective volume Bragg gratings, such as beam waist, incidence angle and beam profile, that have direct impact on the design of laser cavities that include such gratings. We also show how these gratings can act as spatial mode filters.

Widely and continuously tunable optical parametric oscillator based on a cylindrical periodically poled KTiOPO 4 crystal

We report on what is to our knowledge the first realization of a quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a crystal with a cylindrical shape. The main reason for interest in this device is its broad, continuous tuning. In experiments with a 1064-nm pump, the signal tuning range was equal to 525 nm (1515-2040 nm), and the corresponding idler was continuously tuned over 1340 nm (2220-3560 nm). The angular tuning was 26 degrees , with only a minor variation of the OPO threshold over the entire tuning range.

Quasi-two-level Yb:KYW laser with a volume Bragg grating

Using a volume Bragg grating as input coupler, we demonstrate an Yb:KYW laser with a very small quantum defect (1.6%) and an output power of 3.6 W. The laser was longitudinally diode-pumped at 982 nm and the laser wavelength was determined by the grating to 998 nm, with a laser bandwidth of 10 GHz (33 pm). Due to the low quantum defect, the laser should be readily scalable to 20 W or more without critical thermal effects.

Polarization-tunable Yb:KGW laser based on internal conical refraction

Using internal conical refraction, we demonstrate an Yb:KGW laser where the polarization state can be arbitrarily altered without any additional cavity components. The extinction ratio can also be altered between 1:1 and 40:1. The maximum output power achieved was 8.6 W at a slope efficiency of 60.5% with respect to incident pump power. This equals the power performance of a standard Yb:KGW laser used for reference.

Laser performance of Yb:GdCa4O(BO3)3 compared to Yb:KGd(WO4)2 under diode-bar pumping

A study of Yb:GdCOB under diode-bar pumping has been performed and the results are compared, experimentally and theoretically, with Yb:KGW in the same cavity. An output power of 7.3 W and a slope efficiency of 57.4% were obtained. Self-frequency-doubling experiments are also discussed.

Improved laser-induced fluorescence method for bio-attack early warning detection system

Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) could permit fast early warning systems either for point or stand-off detection if a reliable classification of warfare biological agents versus biological or non-biological fluorescing background can be achieved. In order to improve LIF discrimination capability, a new system is described in which the fluorescence pattern is enriched by the use of multiple wavelength delayed excitation while usual spectral fluorescence analysis is extended to time domain to use both aspects as criteria for classification. General considerations and guidelines for the system design are given as well as results showing good discrimination between background and simulants.

Frequency converters from visible to mid-infrared with periodically poled RbTiOPO4

Electric-field poling has been used to fabricate quasi-phase-matched frequency converters in RbTiOPO4. A more accurate Sellmeier equation has been obtained for wavelengths between 0.43 and 3.4 mum. ...

Single-mode near-infrared optical parametric oscillator amplifier based on periodically poled KTiOPO4.

A singly resonant, single-axial-mode, optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on periodically poled KTiOPO4 (PPKTP) is reported. Signal (1.68 µm) and idler (2.90 µm) optical bandwidths have been narrowed to <400 MHz by use of a diffraction grating at grazing incidence. The OPO generates 370 µJ of signal radiation when pumped by 3.1 mJ of 1.064-µm radiation. We implemented a single-pass PPKTP amplifier to yield 2.15-mJ signal and 1.17-mJ idler radiation without broadening the spectral bandwidths.