Shidong Zhuang

Large energy pulse generation modulated by graphene epitaxially grown on silicon carbide.

Graphene grown by thermal decomposition of a two-inch 6H silicon carbide (SiC) wafers surface was used to modulate a large energy pulse laser. Because of its saturable absorbing properties, graphene was used as a passive Q-switcher, and because of its high refractive index the SiC substrate was used as an output coupler. Together they formed a setup where the passively Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) crystal laser was realized with the pulse energy of 159.2 nJ. Our results illustrate the feasibility of using graphene as an inexpensive Q-switcher for solid-state lasers and its promising applications in integrated optics.

1319 nm and 1338 nm dual-wavelength operation of LD end-pumped Nd:YAG ceramic laser

In this paper, we demonstrate the efficient 1.3 um dual-wavelength operation of LD end-pumped Nd:YAG ceramic laser. With a plano-concave cavity, a maximum continuous-wave dual-wavelength output power of 5.92 W is obtained under an incident pump power of 20.5 W, giving a slope efficiency of 30.3% and an optical-optical conversion efficiency of 29.0%. With Co(2+):LaMgAl(11)O(19) crystal as the saturable absorber, the passively Q-switched dual-wavelength operation is achieved for the first time to our knowledge. The maximum passively Q-switched average output power is 226 mW, the minimum pulse width is 15 ns, and the highest pulse repetition rate is 133 kHz.

Dual-wavelength Nd:YAG crystal laser at 1074 and 1112 nm

We reported an efficient laser-diode (LD) end-pumped CW dual-wavelength Nd:YAG crystal laser operating at 1074 and 1112 nm simultaneously, for the first time to our knowledge. The maximum output power was 3.15 W with an optical conversion efficiency of 23.6%. Considering the broad absorption of carbonylhemoglobin and hemoglobin located at about 538 and 555 nm, respectively, we proposed that this dual-wavelength laser is an important source for detecting carbon monoxide poisoning by simple frequency doubling.

Direct generation of optical vortex pulses

We demonstrate the direct generation of optical vortex pulses with stable energy and changeable orbital angular momentum. Single Laguerre-Gaussian (LG0,l) laser modes were directly generated using a laser diode with output intensity profile of doughnut distribution. With passive Q-switching, vortex pulses with stable energy were obtained. Moreover, the topological charge was changeable by variation of the pump power. By a mode-converter and second harmonic generation, the LG0,2l mode was identified. It can be proposed that this pulsed laser should have promising applications in various fields based on its compact structure, stable and high pulse energy, and changeable orbital angular momentum.

Graphene as a Q-Switcher for Neodymium-Doped Lutetium Vanadate Laser

We reported graphene as a passive Q-switcher in a neodymium-doped lutetium vanadate (Nd:LuVO4) crystal laser. The maximum average output power, pulse repetition rate, and pulse width were 474 mW, 795 kHz, and 56.2 ns, respectively, with the graphene used as the passive Q-switcher by using its saturable absorbing property and with its substrate SiC used as the output coupler by using its high refractive index. Our results illustrate the feasibility of using graphene as a Q-switcher for solid-state lasers.

Continuous-wave tri-wavelength operation at 1064, 1319 and 1338 nm of LD end-pumped Nd:YAG ceramic laser.

We demonstrated a laser-diode (LD) end-pumped continuous-wave (CW) tri-wavelength Nd:YAG ceramic laser operating at 1064, 1319 and 1338 nm. For the 1064 nm laser, one of the Nd:YAG polished end faces was used as the output coupler. As references, Nd:YVO(4) and Nd:YAG crystal lasers were also investigated under the same structure. We found that the maximum output power came from Nd:YAG ceramic which was 1.74 W, corresponding an optical conversion efficiency of 16.3%. Using a three mirror cavity, we realized efficient multi-wavelength operation at (4)F(3/2)-(4)F(11/2) and (4)F(3/2)-(4)F(13/2) transitions for Nd:YAG ceramic, simultaneously. The maximum output power was 3.2 W, which included 1064, 1319, and 1338 nm three wavelength, and the optical conversion efficiency was 30%.

Anisotropy of laser emission in monoclinic, disordered crystal Nd:LYSO

Multi-wavelength emissions have been demonstrated in many disordered laser crystals. Improving the emission controllability is crucial for their practical applications. However, it is difficult because the closely adjacent laser components cannot be effectively adjusted by the traditional resonator design. In this paper, the anisotropy of laser emission in a monoclinic, disordered crystal Nd:LuYSiO(5) (Nd:LYSO) is reported for the first time. By selecting crystal orientation, high power laser emission with different wavelengths and polarizations were obtained. For X-cut sample, 1076 nm single-wavelength laser output reached 7.56 W, which will be a useful light source for detecting carbonyl-hemoglobin and nitrite after frequency doubling. For Y- and Z-cut samples, 1076, 1079 nm dual-wavelength laser output reached 10.3 W and 7.61 W, with parallel and orthogonal polarizations, respectively, which are convenient to be used as the generation sources of 0.78 THz wave by type-I or type-II difference frequency. The output characteristic is well explained by a theoretical analysis on the stimulated emission cross-section. The present work reveals that the intrinsic anisotropy in disordered laser crystal can be utilized to elevate the emission controllability. Accordantly, the materials application scopes can be extended.

High-Power Single- and Dual-Wavelength Nd:GdVO4 Lasers with Potential Application for the Treatment of Telangiectasia

Diode-end-pumped high-power Nd:GdVO4 lasers at 1083 nm are presented. The maximum continuous-wave output power was 10.1 W with an optical conversion efficiency of 31.3%. For acoustooptic (AO) Q-switched operation, the largest pulse energy, shortest pulse width, and highest peak power were 111 µJ, 77 ns, and 1.44 kW, respectively. By decreasing the 1063 nm transmission of the output coupler, we also achieved efficient CW dual-wavelength operation at 1083 and 1063 nm. Their total output power reached 6.7 W, and the optical conversion efficiency reached 31.6%. These lasers have special requirements in the treatment of facial telangiectasia.

Continuous-wave and passively Q-switched Nd:LYSO lasers

Continuous-wave (CW) and passively Q-switched performance of a Nd-doped oyorthosilicate mixing crystal, (Nd0.005Lu0.4975Y0.4975)2SiO5 (Nd:LYSO), were reported. As a result, new dual-wavelength all-solid-state lasers at 1075 and 1079 nm were achieved. When the absorbed pump power was 3.87 W, the CW laser produced 1.1 W output, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 28.4% and a slope efficiency of 32.4%. By using a Cr4+:YAG wafer as the saturable absorber, we achieved Q-switching operation of Nd:LYSO crystal. The maximal average output power, shortest pulse width, largest pulse energy and highest peak power were measured to be 294 mW, 27.5 ns, 34.3 μJ and 1.18 kW, respectively. By difference frequency, these dual-wavelength lasers have potential applications for the generation of a broadband coherent radiation from 0.7–1.3 THz.

Efficient dual-wavelength operation of Nd:LYSO laser by diode pumping aimed toward the absorption peak

By aiming the pump wavelength of the laser diode to the absorption peak at 811 nm of the (Nd0:005Lu0:4975Y0:4975)2SiO5 (Nd:LYSO) crystal, an efficient dual-wavelength operation at 1,075 and 1,079 nm is obtained. The maximum output power is 702 mW when the incident pump power is 2.53 W, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 27.7% and a slope efficiency of 37.0%.