Showing papers by "Andreas Tünnermann published in 2016"

Materials Pushing the Application Limits of Wire Grid Polarizers further into the Deep Ultraviolet Spectral Range

Abstract: Wire grid polarizers (WGPs), periodic nano-optical metasurfaces, are convenient polarizing elements for many optical applications. However, they are still inadequate in the deep ultraviolet spectral range. It is shown that to achieve high performance ultraviolet WGPs a material with large absolute value of the complex permittivity and extinction coefficient at the wavelength of interest has to be utilized. This requirement is compared to refractive index models considering intraband and interband absorption processes. It is elucidated why the extinction ratio of metallic WGPs intrinsically humble in the deep ultraviolet, whereas wide bandgap semiconductors are superior material candidates in this spectral range. To demonstrate this, the design, fabrication, and optical characterization of a titanium dioxide WGP are presented. At a wavelength of 193 nm an unprecedented extinction ratio of 384 and a transmittance of 10% is achieved.

1 kW 1 mJ eight-channel ultrafast fiber laser.

Abstract: An ultrafast fiber chirped-pulse amplifier comprising eight coherently combined amplifier channels is presented. The laser delivers 1 kW average power at 1 mJ pulse energy and 260 fs pulse duration. Excellent beam quality and low-noise performance are confirmed. The laser has proven suitable for demanding scientific applications. Further power scaling is possible right away using even more amplifier channels.

Energetic sub-2-cycle laser with 216 W average power

Abstract: Few-cycle lasers are essential for many research areas such as attosecond physics that promise to address fundamental questions in science and technology. Therefore, further advancements are connected to significant progress in the underlying laser technology. Here, two-stage nonlinear compression of a 660 W femtosecond fiber laser system is utilized to achieve unprecedented average power levels of energetic ultrashort or even few-cycle laser pulses. In a first compression step, 408 W, 320 μJ, 30 fs pulses are achieved, which can be further compressed to 216 W, 170 μJ, 6.3 fs pulses in a second compression stage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest average power few-cycle laser system presented so far. It is expected to significantly advance the fields of high harmonic generation and attosecond science.

Narrow linewidth, single mode 3 kW average power from a directly diode pumped ytterbium-doped low NA fiber amplifier

Abstract: We report on a newly designed and fabricated ytterbium-doped large mode area fiber with an extremely low NA (~0.04) and related systematic investigations on fiber parameters that crucially influence the mode instability threshold. The fiber is used to demonstrate a narrow linewidth, continuous wave, single mode fiber laser amplifier emitting a maximum output power of 3 kW at a wavelength of 1070 nm without reaching the mode-instability threshold. A high slope efficiency of 90 %, excellent beam quality, high temporal stability, and an ASE suppression of 70 dB could be reached with a signal linewidth of only 170 pm.

High-harmonic generation at 250 MHz with photon energies exceeding 100 eV

Abstract: Ultrafast spectroscopy in the extreme ultraviolet demands for ever-higher pulse repetition rates and photon energies. Here, we drive cavity-enhanced high-order harmonic generation (HHG) at a repetition rate of 250 MHz, with 30 fs pulses and an average power of 10 kW. Employing an optimized cavity geometry and a high-pressure gas target, we couple out nanowatt-level harmonics at photon energies around 100 eV. This constitutes an improvement of more than two orders of magnitude over previous megahertz-repetition-rate HHG experiments and paves the way toward high-photon-energy frequency-comb spectroscopy and toward pump-probe photoelectron microscopy and spectroscopy at unprecedented repetition rates.

12 mJ kW-class ultrafast fiber laser system using multidimensional coherent pulse addition

Abstract: An ultrafast fiber-chirped-pulse amplification system using a combination of spatial and temporal coherent pulse combination is presented. By distributing the amplification among eight amplifier channels and four pulse replicas, up to 12 mJ pulse energy with 700 W average power and 262 fs pulse duration have been obtained with a system efficiency of 78% and excellent beam quality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest energy achieved by an ultrafast fiber-based laser system to date.

High-repetition-rate and high-photon-flux 70 eV high-harmonic source for coincidence ion imaging of gas-phase molecules

Abstract: Unraveling and controlling chemical dynamics requires techniques to image structural changes of molecules with femtosecond temporal and picometer spatial resolution. Ultrashort-pulse x-ray free-electron lasers have significantly advanced the field by enabling advanced pump-probe schemes. There is an increasing interest in using table-top photon sources enabled by high-harmonic generation of ultrashort-pulse lasers for such studies. We present a novel high-harmonic source driven by a 100 kHz fiber laser system, which delivers 1011 photons/s in a single 1.3 eV bandwidth harmonic at 68.6 eV. The combination of record-high photon flux and high repetition rate paves the way for time-resolved studies of the dissociation dynamics of inner-shell ionized molecules in a coincidence detection scheme. First coincidence measurements on CH3I are shown and it is outlined how the anticipated advancement of fiber laser technology and improved sample delivery will, in the next step, allow pump-probe studies of ultrafast molecular dynamics with table-top XUV-photon sources. These table-top sources can provide significantly higher repetition rates than the currently operating free-electron lasers and they offer very high temporal resolution due to the intrinsically small timing jitter between pump and probe pulses.

Optimizing high-power Yb-doped fiber amplifier systems in the presence of transverse mode instabilities.

Abstract: The average output power of Yb-doped fiber amplifier systems is currently limited by the onset of transverse mode instabilities. Besides, it has been recently shown that the transverse mode instability threshold can be significantly reduced by the presence of photodarkening in the fiber. Therefore, reducing the photodarkening level of the core material composition is the most straightforward way to increase the output average power of fiber amplifier systems but, unfortunately, this is not always easy or possible. In this paper we present guidelines to optimize the output average power of fiber amplifiers affected by transverse mode instabilities and photodarkening. The guidelines derived from the simulations do not involve changes in the composition of the active material (except for its doping concentration), but can still lead to a significant increase of the transverse mode instability threshold. The dependence of this parameter on the active ion concentration and the core conformation, among others, will be studied and discussed.

Table-top milliwatt-class extreme ultraviolet high harmonic light source

Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (XUV) lasers are essential for the investigation of fundamental physics. Especially high repetition rate, high photon flux sources are of major interest for reducing acquisition times and improving signal-to-noise ratios in a plethora of applications. Here, an XUV source based on cascaded frequency conversion is presented, which, due to the drastic better single atom response for short wavelength drivers, delivers an average output power of (832±204) μW at 21.7 eV. This is the highest average power produced by any high harmonic generation source in this spectral range, surpassing previous demonstrations by almost an order of magnitude. Furthermore, a narrowband harmonic at 26.6 eV with a relative energy bandwidth of only ΔE/E=1.8·10−3 has been generated that is of high interest for high-precision spectroscopy experiments.

Comparative study of ALD SiO2 thin films for optical applications

Abstract: We have investigated the suitability of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for SiO2 optical coatings and applied it to broadband antireflective multilayers in combination with HfO2 as the high refractive index material. SiO2 thin films were successfully grown using tris[dimethylamino]silane (3DMAS), bis[diethylamino]silane (BDEAS) with plasma activated oxygen as precursors, and the AP-LTO330 precursor with ozone, respectively. The amorphous SiO2 films show very low optical losses within a spectral range of 200 nm to 1100 nm. Laser calorimetric measurements show absorption losses of 300 nm thick SiO2 films of about 1.5 parts per million at a wavelength of 1064 nm. The films are optically homogeneous and possess a good scalability of film thickness. The film surface porosity - which correlates to a shift in the transmittance spectra under vacuum and air conditions - has been suppressed by optimized plasma parameters or Al2O3 sealing layers.

Thulium-doped fiber chirped-pulse amplification system with 2 GW of peak power.

Abstract: Thulium-doped fibers with ultra large mode-field areas offer new opportunities for the power scaling of mid-IR ultrashort-pulse laser sources. Here, we present a laser system delivering a pulse-peak power of 2 GW and a nearly transform-limited pulse duration of 200 fs in combination with 28.7 W of average power. This performance level has been achieved by optimizing the pulse shape, reducing the overlap with atmospheric absorption lines, and incorporating a climate chamber to reduce the humidity of the atmospheric environment.

Average power limit of fiber-laser systems with nearly diffraction-limited beam quality

Abstract: The maximum average power that can be emitted from an ytterbium-doped fiber-laser system is estimated. The analysis takes into account all the effects known so far that may limit the average power including transverse mode instabilities and photo darkening. Hereby, the recent experimental observation that transverse mode instabilities depend on the average heat load in a fiber amplifier is exploited. The results of this analysis show that there are three main limiting effects: stimulated Raman scattering, the brightness of the pump laser and transverse mode instabilities. Moreover, the analysis suggests that, disregarding possible practical constrains, the average output power of a fiber laser system can be, in principle, increased up to 70kW.

Scalability of components for kW-level average power few-cycle lasers.

Abstract: In this paper, the average power scalability of components that can be used for intense few-cycle lasers based on nonlinear compression of modern femtosecond solid-state lasers is investigated. The key components of such a setup, namely, the gas-filled waveguides, laser windows, chirped mirrors for pulse compression and low dispersion mirrors for beam collimation, focusing, and beam steering are tested under high-average-power operation using a kilowatt cw laser. We demonstrate the long-term stable transmission of kW-level average power through a hollow capillary and a Kagome-type photonic crystal fiber. In addition, we show that sapphire substrates significantly improve the average power capability of metal-coated mirrors. Ultimately, ultrabroadband dielectric mirrors show negligible heating up to 1 kW of average power. In summary, a technology for scaling of few-cycle lasers up to 1 kW of average power and beyond is presented.

[INVITED] Laser welding of glasses at high repetition rates – Fundamentals and prospects

Abstract: We report on the welding of various glasses with ultrashort laser pulses. Femtosecond laser pulses at repetition rates in the MHz range are focused at the interface between two substrates, resulting in multiphoton absorption and heat accumulation from successive pulses. This leads to local melting and subsequent resolidification which can be used to weld the glasses. The fundamental interaction process was studied using an in-situ micro Raman setup to measure the laser induced temperature distribution and its temporal decay. The induced network changes were analyzed by Raman spectrocopy identifying an increase of three and four membered silicon rings within the laser irradiated area. In order to determine the stability of the laser welded samples a three point bending test was used. Thereby, we identified that the maximal achievable breaking strength is limited by laser induced stress surrounding the modified material. To minimize the amount of stress bursts of laser pulses or an post processing annealing step can be applied. Besides fused silica, we welded borosilicate glasses and glasses with a low thermal expansion coefficient. Even the welding of different glass combinations is possible demonstrating the versatility of ultrashort pulse induced laser welding.

Wave-optical modeling beyond the thin-element-approximation.

Abstract: The optical design and analysis of modern micro-optical elements with high index contrasts and large numerical apertures is still challenging, as fast and accurate wave-optical simulations beyond the thin-element-approximation are required. We introduce a modified formulation of the wave-propagation-method and assess its performance in comparison to different beam-propagation-methods with respect to accuracy, required sampling densities, and computational performance. For typical micro-optical components, the wave-propagation-method is found to be considerably faster and more accurate at even lower sampling densities compared to the different beam-propagation-methods. This enables realistic wave-optical simulations beyond the thin-element-approximation for micro-optical components. As an example, the modified wave-propagation-method is applied for in-line holographic measurements of strongly diffracting objects. From a direct comparison of experimental results and corresponding simulations, the geometric parameters of a test object could be retrieved with high accuracy.

High Speed and High Resolution Table-Top Nanoscale Imaging

Abstract: We present a table-top coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) experiment based on high-order harmonics generated at 18 nm by a high average power femtosecond fiber laser system. The high photon flux, narrow spectral bandwidth and high degree of spatial coherence allow for ultra-high sub-wavelength resolution imaging at a high numerical aperture. Our experiments demonstrate a half-pitch resolution of 13.6 nm, very close to the actual Abbe-limit of 12.4 nm, which is the highest resolution achieved from any table-top XUV or X-ray microscope. In addition, 20.5 nm resolution was achieved with only 3 sec of integration time bringing live diffraction imaging and 3D tomography on the nanoscale one step closer to reality. The current resolution is solely limited by the wavelength and the detector size. Thus, table-top nanoscopes with only a few-nm resolutions are in reach and will find applications in many areas of science and technology.

100 W average power femtosecond laser at 343 nm.

Abstract: We present a femtosecond laser system delivering up to 100 W of average power at 343 nm. The laser system employs a Yb-based femtosecond fiber laser and subsequent second- and third-harmonic generation in beta barium borate (BBO) crystals. Thermal gradients within these BBO crystals are mitigated by sapphire heat spreaders directly bonded to the front and back surface of the crystals. Thus, a nearly diffraction-limited beam quality (M2<1.4) is achieved, despite the high thermal load to the nonlinear crystals. This laser source is expected to push many industrial and scientific applications in the future.

Monolithic thulium fiber laser with 567 W output power at 1970 nm.

Abstract: We report on a monolithic thulium fiber laser with 567 W output power at 1970 nm which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest power reported so far directly from a thulium oscillator. This is achieved by optimization of the splice parameters for the active fiber (minimizing signal light in the fiber cladding) and direct water cooling. Dual transverse mode operation is visible from the optical spectrum and can be deduced from the measured beam quality of M2=2.6.

The onset of ultrashort pulse-induced nanogratings

Abstract: Focusing ultrashort laser pulses in the bulk of silica allows for the localized generation of so ‐ called nanogratings with sub‐wavelength periodicity leading to artificial birefringence. By using different structural investigation techniques, the nanograting stepwise formation was studied comprehensively. Arising from deterministic voids, the onset of structure formation is dominated by laser‐induced cracks along the scanned path followed by the growth of anisotropic sheets and mutual realignment into periodic grating planes.

High speed and high resolution table-top nanoscale imaging

Abstract: We present a table-top coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) experiment based on high-order harmonics generated at 18 nm by a high average power femtosecond fiber laser system. The high photon flux, narrow spectral bandwidth, and high degree of spatial coherence allow for ultrahigh subwavelength resolution imaging at a high numerical aperture. Our experiments demonstrate a half-pitch resolution of 15 nm, close to the actual Abbe limit of 12 nm, which is the highest resolution achieved from any table-top extreme ultraviolet (XUV) or x-ray microscope. In addition, sub-30 nm resolution was achieved with only 3 s of integration time, bringing live diffractive imaging and three-dimensional tomography on the nanoscale one step closer to reality. The current resolution is solely limited by the wavelength and the detector size. Thus, table-top nanoscopes with only a few-nanometer resolutions are in reach and will find applications in many areas of science and technology.

Femtosecond laser written nanostructures in Ge-doped glasses.

Abstract: We report on nanostructures induced by femtosecond laser pulses in the bulk of Germanium-doped silica glasses. For studying structural properties of the nanostructure constituents small-angle x-ray scattering and SEM served to map pore size, filling factor and periodicity. Our results show that with increasing the Ge doping concentration, the aspect ratio (transverse to inscribing laser) of nanometric pores rises while they arrange in a smaller period in contrast to nanogratings in pristine fused silica. Consequently, higher optical retardance can be obtained demonstrating the pronounced glass decomposition due to the changing network structure.

Nanoporous SiO2 thin films made by atomic layer deposition and atomic etching

Abstract: A new route to prepare nanoporous SiO2 films by mixing atomic-layer-deposited alumina and silica in an A-scale is presented. The selective removal of Al2O3 from the composites using wet chemical etching with phosphoric acid resulted in nanoporous thin SiO2 layers. A diffusion-controlled dissolution mechanism is identified whereby an interesting reorganization of the residual SiO2 is observed. The atomic scale oxide mixing is decisive in attaining and tailoring the film porosity. The porosity and the refractive index of nanoporous silica films were tailored from 9% to 69% and from 1.40 to 1.13, respectively. The nanoporous silica was successfully employed as antireflection coatings and as diffusion membranes to encapsulate nanostructures.

Experimental comparison of aperiodic sinusoidal fringes and phase-shifted sinusoidal fringes for high-speed three-dimensional shape measurement

Abstract: Stereo vision-based triangulation systems are commonly used to reconstruct the three-dimensional surface shape of objects. In order to increase accuracy, they typically contain a projector which projects a sequence of patterns onto the object’s surface. However, in spite of a considerable demand to measure dynamic processes, such systems are often limited to static objects. In order to enhance their speed, apart from fast cameras and projection systems, it is useful to use pattern sequences as short as possible. In this contribution, we experimentally compare two different illumination approaches, aperiodic sinusoidal fringes and phase-shifted sinusoidal fringes, with regard to the achievable point cloud completeness and accuracy depending on the pattern parameters and sequence length.

High dynamic grayscale lithography with an LED-based micro-image stepper

Abstract: We developed a novel LED projection based direct write grayscale lithography system for the generation of optical surface profiles such as micro-lenses, diffractive elements, diffusors, and micro freeforms. The image formation is realized by a LCoS micro-display which is illuminated by a 405 nm UV High Power LED. The image on the display can be demagnified from factors 5x to 100x with an exchangeable lens. By controlling exposure time and LED power, the presented technique enables a highly dynamic dosage control for the exposure of h-line sensitive photo resist. In addition, the LCoS micro-display allows for an intensity control within the micro-image which is particularly advantageous to eliminate surface profile errors from stitching and limited homogeneity from LED illumination. Together with an accurate calibration of the resist response this leads to a superior low surface error of realized profiles below 80°. Another benefit of the approach is a patterning speed up to 100 cm2/h, which allows fabricating large-scale optics and microstructures in an acceptable time. We present the setup and show examples of micro-structures to demonstrate the performance of the system, namely a refractive freeform array, where the RMS surface deviation does not exceed 0.2% of the total structure depth of 75 μm. Furthermore, we show that this exposure tool is suitable to generate diffractive optical elements as well as freeform optics and arrays with a high aspect ratio and structure depth showing a superior optical performance. Lastly we demonstrate a multi-level diffraction grating on a curved substrate.

Ablation of silicon with bursts of femtosecond laser pulses

Abstract: We report on an experimental investigation of ultrafast laser ablation of silicon with bursts of pulses. The pristine 1030nm-wavelength 200-fs pulses were split into bursts of up to 16 sub-pulses with time separation ranging from 0.5ps to 4080ps. The total ablation threshold fluence was measured depending on the burst features, finding that it strongly increases with the number of sub-pulses for longer sub-pulse delays, while a slowly increasing trend is observed for shorter separation time. The ablation depth per burst follows two different trends according to the time separation between the sub-pulses, as well as the total threshold fluence. For delays shorter than 4ps it decreases with the number of pulses, while for time separations longer than 510ps, deeper craters were achieved by increasing the number of subpulses in the burst, probably due to a change of the effective penetration depth.

AZO/Ag/AZO transparent conductive films: correlation between the structural, electrical, and optical properties and development of an optical model

Abstract: Multilayer transparent electrodes consisting of a tri-layer structure of Al-doped zinc oxide and silver (AZO/Ag/AZO) prepared by inline DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature were investigated. The AZO working gas pressure during deposition was identified as a crucial parameter to influence both the transmittance and sheet resistance of the transparent electrode. By a reduction of the pressure to an optimal value of 0.15 Pa, highest Figure-of-Merit values reported so far for suchlike prepared AZO/Ag/AZO systems could be achieved. In the course of layer characterization, a clear correlation between the coating microstructure and measured electrical and optical properties could be established. Furthermore, we present a model that describes the transmittance spectra of real-structure AZO/Ag/AZO tri-layer systems in a quantitative manner while explicitly considering the specific optical response of the AZO-silver interfaces. Using a generalized Maxwell-Garnett approach with a Gaussian distribution of the Depolarization factors, the interface roughness was described as an effective interfacial layer leading to an improved agreement between measured and simulated spectra.