Generation of optical pulses shorter than 0.1 psec by colliding pulse mode locking
TL;DR: In this article, a novel passive mode-locking technique was proposed in which two synchronized counterpropagating pulses interact in a thin, saturable absorber to produce a short pulse.
Abstract: We report a novel passive mode‐locking technique in which two synchronized counterpropagating pulses interact in a thin, saturable absorber to produce a short pulse. Continuous stable trains of pulses shorter than 0.1 psec are obtained using a ring laser configuration.
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TL;DR: In this article, the field of femtosecond pulse shaping is reviewed, and applications of pulse shaping to optical communications, biomedical optical imaging, high power laser amplifiers, quantum control, and laser-electron beam interactions are reviewed.
Abstract: We review the field of femtosecond pulse shaping, in which Fourier synthesis methods are used to generate nearly arbitrarily shaped ultrafast optical wave forms according to user specification. An emphasis is placed on programmable pulse shaping methods based on the use of spatial light modulators. After outlining the fundamental principles of pulse shaping, we then present a detailed discussion of pulse shaping using several different types of spatial light modulators. Finally, new research directions in pulse shaping, and applications of pulse shaping to optical communications, biomedical optical imaging, high power laser amplifiers, quantum control, and laser-electron beam interactions are reviewed.
2,051 citations
TL;DR: The evolution of the theory of mode-locking over the last three and a half decades is reviewed and some of the salient experiments are discussed in the context of theory as discussed by the authors, with two-cycle pulses of a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser.
Abstract: The evolution of the theory of mode-locking over the last three and a half decades is reviewed and some of the salient experiments are discussed in the context of the theory. The paper ends with two-cycle pulses of a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser.
1,227 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the generation transmission and detection of extremely rapid electromagnetic pulses have been achieved using fast photoconducting materials as time-varying Hertzian dipoles, which overcomes many of the limitations imposed by transmission line structures, and due to its jitter free behavior and open geometry is ideally suited for transient electromagnetic measurements of materials.
Abstract: The generation transmission, and detection of extremely rapid electromagnetic pulses have been achieved using fast photoconducting materials as time‐varying Hertzian dipoles. This approach, which has a measured time response of 1.6 ps, overcomes many of the limitations imposed by transmission line structures, and due to its jitter‐free behavior and open geometry is ideally suited for transient electromagnetic measurements of materials.
992 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that pairs of prisms can have negative group-velocity dispersion in the absence of any negative material dispersion.
Abstract: We show that pairs of prisms can have negative group-velocity dispersion in the absence of any negative material dispersion. A prism arrangement is described that limits losses to Brewster-surface reflections, avoids transverse displacement of the temporally dispersed rays, permits continuous adjustment of the dispersion through zero, and yields a transmitted beam collinear with the incident beam.
987 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarized the recent progress in the development of ultrafast optical parametric amplifiers, giving the basic design principles for different frequency ranges and in addition presenting some advanced designs for the generation of ultrabroadband, few-optical-cycle pulses.
Abstract: Over the last decade there have been spectacular developments in ultrafast laser technology, due to the introduction of solid state active materials and of new mode-locking and amplification techniques. These advances, together with the discovery of new nonlinear optical crystals, have fostered the introduction of ultrafast optical parametric amplifiers as a practical source of femtosecond pulses tunable across the visible and infrared spectral ranges. This article summarizes the recent progress in the development of ultrafast optical parametric amplifiers, giving the basic design principles for different frequency ranges and in addition presenting some advanced designs for the generation of ultrabroadband, few-optical-cycle pulses. Finally, we also briefly discuss the possibility of applying parametric amplification schemes to large-scale, petawatt-level systems.
914 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a model of a passively mode-locked quasi-continuous laser is discussed and the evolution of pulses in various cavity configurations is traced and the combined action of amplifier and absorber saturation is shown to lead to rapid pulse compression even when the pulse duration is far shorter than the relaxation time.
Abstract: Various models of a passively mode-locked quasi-continuous laser are discussed and the evolution of pulses in various cavity configurations is traced. In certain circumstances, the combined action of amplifier and absorber saturation is shown to lead to rapid pulse compression even when the pulse duration is far shorter than the relaxation time of either nonlinear component. The results are in good agreement with recent streak- camera measurements involving the pulsed Rhodamine 6G dye laser and satisfactorily explain the efficient generation of picosecond pulses in CW dye-laser systems. The same pulse-compression mechanism can probably be used to generate ultrashort pulses in other quasi-continuous lasers.
266 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an efficient broadly tunable dye-laser action with a narrow line output has been demonstrated with a mirrorless laser system using distributed feedback, which was obtained from a spatial modulation of both gain and index of refraction induced by pumping a liquid organic dye solution with fringes formed by the interference of two coherent light beams.
Abstract: Efficient broadly tunable dye‐laser action with a narrow line output has been demonstrated with a mirrorless laser system using distributed feedback. The feedback was obtained from a spatial modulation of both gain and index of refraction, induced by pumping a liquid organic dye solution with fringes formed by the interference of two coherent light beams. The device was tunable over 640 A either by varying the angle between interfering pump beams or the refractive index of the dye solvent. Linewidths less than 0.01 A were measured and a peak power of 36 kW was observed.
262 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a stable continuous output of picosecond pulses has been achieved using second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements, and the pulses are transform limited and are wavelength tunable over the range 5900-6100 A.
Abstract: Passive mode locking of a cw Rhodamine 6G laser is reported. A stable continuous output of picosecond pulses has been achieved. Correlation measurements using second‐harmonic generation (SHG) have determined the pulses to be as short as 1.5 psec. The pulses are transform limited and are wavelength tunable over the range 5900–6100 A.
259 citations