Pengda Hong

Recovery of image distorted by turbulent atmosphere using phase-conjugate image generated by difference frequency generation

We demonstrate dynamic recovery of blurred images caused by atmospheric turbulence. In particular, using a phase-conjugate wave generated by a second-order nonlinear crystal or composite, we restore the original quality of the image after the optical radiation forming the image propagates through the turbulent atmosphere. One of the key elements for our experiment is a rotating phase plate being placed in the beam path for simulating turbulent atmosphere. Using the nonlinear composite, we demonstrate that the image recovery is insensitive to the polarization of the optical radiation forming the image.

Thermal conductivity investigation of adhesive-free bond laser components

An interferometric method has been developed and employed at Onyx Optics, Inc. to accurately measure the thermal conductivity of laser-active crystals as function of dopant concentration or inactive materials such as single crystals, optical ceramics and glasses relative to a standard of assumed to be known thermal conductivity [1]. This technique can also provide information on heat transfer resistance at the interface between two materials in close thermal contact. While the technique appears generally applicable to composites between optically homogeneous materials, we report on thermal conductivities and heat transfer coefficients of selected adhesive-free bond (AFB®) laser composites. Single crystal bars and AFB bonded crystal doublets with the combinations of various rare-earth (Nd3+, Yb3+, Er3+, and Tm3+ trivalent ion doped YAG, and un-doped YAG have been fabricated with the AFB technique. By loading the test sample in a vacuum cryostat, with a precisely controlled heat load at one end of the doublets, the temperature distribution inside the single crystal or the composite samples can been precisely mapped by measuring the optical path difference interferometrically, given the material’s thermal-optical properties. No measurable heat transfer resistance can be identified for the AFB interfaces between low-concentration doped YAG and un-doped YAG. For the heavily doped RE3+:YAG, for example, 10% Yb:YAG, the thermal conductivity measured in our experiment is 8.3 W/m•K, using the thermal conductivity of undoped YAG reported in [1] as basis. The thermal transfer resistance of the AFB interface with un-doped YAG, if there is any at the AFB interface, could be less than 1.29×10-6 m2•K/W.

Image restoration based on phase conjugation in second-order nonlinear materials under reflection configuration.

We have demonstrated the recovery of the distorted images by a phase plate to nearly their original qualities under a refection configuration. This is made possible by utilizing difference-frequency generation in a bulk KTiOPO(4) (KTP) crystal and an AFB-KTP crystal composite. In such a geometry, both input and phase-conjugated waves propagate through the distorted phase plate for a round trip. They are reflected by the object, which can be far away from the imaging system, and captured by the cameras. Therefore, such a configuration is much more practical for eventually deploying our imaging system for realizing practical applications. We have demonstrated the advantages of the imaging system such as polarization insensitivity and broadband capability.

Design of intrinsically single-mode double clad crystalline fiber waveguides for high power lasers

Recently, double-clad crystalline fiber waveguides (CFWs), consisting of single crystalline or ceramic RE3+:YAG cores of square cross section and inner claddings of either undoped or laser-inactive-ion-doped YAG and outer claddings of sapphire, have been successfully demonstrated. These waveguides, manufactured by an Adhesive-Free Bonding (AFB®) technique, can be precisely engineered and fabricated with predictable beam propagation behavior. In this work, with high power laser designs in mind, minimum thicknesses for inner cladding are derived for different core cross sections and refractive index differences between the core and inner cladding and sapphire as outer cladding material for common laser core dopants such as Nd3+, Yb3+, Er3+, Tm3+ and Ho3+. All designs are intended to use high NA high power laser diode pumping to obtain high power intrinsically single transverse mode laser output. The obtained data are applicable to any crystalline fiber waveguide design, regardless of fabrication technique. As an example, a CFW with 40 μm × 40 μm 4% Tm:YAG core, 5% Yb:YAG inner cladding, and sapphire outer cladding was calculated to be intrinsically single transverse mode, with the minimum inner cladding width of 21.7 μm determined by the effective index technique [1].

Power scaling estimate of crystalline fiber waveguides with rare earth doped YAG cores

Power scaling analysis based on the model by Dawson et al. [1,2] for circular core fibers has been applied to estimating power scaling of crystalline fiber waveguides (CFWs) with RE3+ doped single crystalline or ceramic YAG (RE=rare earth: Yb, Er, Tm and Ho). Power scaling limits include stimulated Brillouin scattering, thermal lensing effect, and limits to coupling of pump light into CFWs. The CFW designs we have considered consist, in general, of a square doped RE3+:YAG core, an inner cladding of either undoped or laser-inactive-ion-doped YAG and an outer cladding of sapphire. The presented data have been developed for the structures fabricated using the Adhesive-Free Bonding (AFB®) technique, but the results should be essentially independent of fabrication technique, assuming perfect core/inner cladding/outer cladding interfaces. Hard power scaling limits exist for a specific CFW design and are strongly based on the physical constants of the material and its spectroscopic specifics. For example, power scaling limit was determined as ~16 kW for 2.5% ceramic Yb:YAG/YAG (core material/inner cladding material) at fiber length of 1.7 m and core diameter of 69 μm. Considering the present manufacturing limit for CFW length to be, e.g., 0.5 m, the actual maximum output power will be limited to ~4.4 kW for a Yb:YAG/YAG CFW. Power limit estimates have also been computed for Er3+, Tm3+ and Ho3+doped core based CFWs.

Waveguide structures in anisotropic nonlinear crystals

We report on the design and manufacturing parameters of waveguiding structures of anisotropic nonlinear crystals that are employed for harmonic conversions, using Adhesive-Free Bonding (AFB®). This technology enables a full range of predetermined refractive index differences that are essential for the design of single mode or low-mode propagation with high efficiency in anisotropic nonlinear crystals which in turn results in compact frequency conversion systems. Examples of nonlinear optical waveguides include periodically bonded walk-off corrected nonlinear optical waveguides and periodically poled waveguide components, such as lithium triborate (LBO), beta barium borate (β-BBO), lithium niobate (LN), potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP), zinc germanium phosphide (ZGP) and silver selenogallate (AGSE). Simulation of planar LN waveguide shows that when the electric field vector E lies in the k-c plane, the power flow is directed precisely along the propagation direction, demonstrating waveguiding effect in the planar waveguide. Employment of anisotropic nonlinear optical waveguides, for example in combination with AFB® crystalline fiber waveguides (CFW), provides access to the design of a number of novel high power and high efficiency light sources spanning the range of wavelengths from deep ultraviolet (as short as ~200 nm) to mid-infrared (as long as about 18 μm). To our knowledge, the technique is the only generally applicable one because most often there are no compatible cladding crystals available to nonlinear optical cores, especially not with an engineer-able refractive index difference and large mode area.

Investigation of enhanced forward and backward anti-stokes Raman signals in lithium niobate waveguides

We have observed enhancements of forward and backward anti-Stokes Raman signals generated in lithium niobate waveguides by one order of magnitude. Forward and backward exhibit different spectral features, unique for two configurations.

Enhanced Forward and Backward Anti-Stokes Raman Signals in Lithium Niobate Waveguides

We have observed enhancements of forward and backward anti-Stokes Raman signals generated in lithium niobate waveguides by one order of magnitude. Forward and backward exhibit different spectral features, unique for two configurations.

Enhancement of backward-propagating anti-Stokes Raman scattering from Ti-diffused lithium niobate waveguides

We have observed enhancement factors of at least 21 for backward-propagating anti-Stokes Raman signals generated by Ti-diffused lithium niobate waveguides under the microwatt pump power and using a single-photon detector.

Restoration of blurred images due to phase distortion based on polarization-insensitive phase conjugation in second-order nonlinear medium: Novel scheme

Polarization-insensitive phase conjugation, achieved based on difference-frequency generation in a second-order nonlinear composite consisting of stacked KTP plates, was exploited to restore blurred images due to phase distortion as a novel scheme.