Showing papers on "Laser linewidth published in 2015"

Lasing in direct-bandgap GeSn alloy grown on Si

Abstract: Lasing is experimentally demonstrated in a direct bandgap GeSn alloy, grown directly onto Si(001). The authors observe a clear lasing threshold as well as linewidth narrowing at low temperatures.

Intrinsic homogeneous linewidth and broadening mechanisms of excitons in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract: The band-edge optical response of transition metal dichalcogenides, an emerging class of atomically thin semiconductors, is dominated by tightly bound excitons localized at the corners of the Brillouin zone (valley excitons). A fundamental yet unknown property of valley excitons in these materials is the intrinsic homogeneous linewidth, which reflects irreversible quantum dissipation arising from system (exciton) and bath (vacuum and other quasiparticles) interactions and determines the timescale during which excitons can be coherently manipulated. Here we use optical two-dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy to measure the exciton homogeneous linewidth in monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2). The homogeneous linewidth is found to be nearly two orders of magnitude narrower than the inhomogeneous width at low temperatures. We evaluate quantitatively the role of exciton-exciton and exciton-phonon interactions and population relaxation as linewidth broadening mechanisms. The key insights reported here—strong many-body effects and intrinsically rapid radiative recombination—are expected to be ubiquitous in atomically thin semiconductors.

Progress in Mid-IR Lasers Based on Cr and Fe-Doped II–VI Chalcogenides

Abstract: Transition metal (TM) doped II-VI chalcogenide laser materials offer a unique blend of physical, spectroscopic, and technological parameters that make them the gain media of choice for cost effective broadly tunable lasing in the Mid-IR. The II-VI semiconductor hosts provide a low phonon cut-off, broad IR transparency, and high thermal conductivity. When doped with transition metal ions, these materials feature ultrabroadband gain, low saturation intensities, and large pump absorption coefficients. This combined with the low-cost mass production technology of crystal fabrication by postgrowth thermal diffusion, as well as broad availability of convenient pump sources, make these materials ideal candidates for broadly tunable mid-IR lasing in CW, gain-switched, free running, and mode-locked regimes of operation. This review summarizes experimental results on optically pumped lasers based on Cr and Fe doped II-VI wide band semiconductors providing access to the 1.9-6 μm spectral range with a high (exceeding 60%) efficiency, multi-Watt-level (18 W in gain switch and 30 W in pure CW) output powers, tunability in excess of 1000 nm, short-pulse (<;50 fs) multi-watt oscillation, multi-Joule long-pulse output energy, and narrow spectral linewidth (<;100 kHz).

Direct observation of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in a Pt/Co/Ni film.

Abstract: The interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in an in-plane anisotropic Pt(4 nm)/Co(1.6 nm)/Ni(1.6 nm) film has been directly observed by Brillouin spectroscopy. It is manifested as the asymmetry of the measured magnon dispersion relation, from which the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction constant has been evaluated. Linewidth measurements reveal that the lifetime of the magnons is asymmetric with respect to their counter-propagating directions. The lifetime asymmetry is dependent on the magnon frequency, being more pronounced, the higher the frequency. Analytical calculations of the magnon dispersion relation and linewidth agree well with experiments.

Laser feedback interferometry: a tutorial on the self-mixing effect for coherent sensing

Abstract: This tutorial presents a guided tour of laser feedback interferometry, from its origin and early development through its implementation to a slew of sensing applications, including displacement, distance, velocity, flow, refractive index, and laser linewidth measurement Along the way, we provide a step-by-step derivation of the basic rate equations for a laser experiencing optical feedback starting from the standard Lang and Kobayashi model and detail their subsequent reduction in steady state to the excess-phase equation We construct a simple framework for interferometric sensing applications built around the laser under optical feedback and illustrate how this results in a series of straightforward models for many signals arising in laser feedback interferometry Finally, we indicate promising directions for future work that harnesses the self-mixing effect for sensing applications

Ultralow noise miniature external cavity semiconductor laser

Abstract: Advanced applications in optical metrology demand improved lasers with high spectral purity, in form factors that are small and insensitive to environmental perturbations. While laboratory-scale lasers with extraordinarily high stability and low noise have been reported, all-integrated chip-scale devices with sub-100 Hz linewidth have not been previously demonstrated. Lasers integrated with optical microresonators as external cavities have the potential for substantial reduction of noise. However, stability and spectral purity improvements of these lasers have only been validated with rack-mounted support equipment, assembled with fibre lasers to marginally improve their noise performance. In this work we report on a realization of a heterogeneously integrated, chip-scale semiconductor laser featuring 30-Hz integral linewidth as well as sub-Hz instantaneous linewidth. Optical metrology applications require lasers with high spectral purity but on-chip devices with sub-100 Hz linewidth are yet to be realized. Here, Liang et al.present a heterogeneously integrated, chip-scale semiconductor laser with 30 Hz integral linewidth and sub-Hz instantaneous linewidth.

Current-induced magnetic skyrmions oscillator

Abstract: Spin transfer nano-oscillators (STNOs) are nanoscale devices which are promising candidates for on-chip microwave signal sources. For application purposes, they are expected to be nano-sized, to have broad working frequency, narrow spectral linewidth, high output power and low power consumption. In this paper, we demonstrate by micromagnetic simulation that magnetic skyrmions, topologically stable nanoscale magnetization configurations, can be excited into oscillation by a spin-polarized current. Thus, we propose a new kind of STNO using magnetic skyrmions. It is found that the working frequency of this oscillator can range from nearly 0 Hz to gigahertz. The linewidth can be smaller than 1 MHz. Furthermore, this device can work at a current density magnitude as small as 108 A m−2, and it is also expected to improve the output power. Our studies may contribute to the development of skyrmion-based microwave generators.

Pronounced Linewidth Narrowing of an Aluminum Nanoparticle Plasmon Resonance by Interaction with an Aluminum Metallic Film.

Abstract: Aluminum nanocrystals and fabricated nanostructures are emerging as highly promising building blocks for plasmonics in the visible region of the spectrum. Even at the individual nanocrystal level, however, the localized plasmons supported by Al nanostructures possess a surprisingly broad spectral response. We have observed that when an Al nanocrystal is coupled to an underlying Al film, its dipolar plasmon resonance linewidth narrows remarkably and shows an enhanced scattering efficiency. This behavior is observable in other plasmonic metals, such as gold; however, it is far more dramatic in the aluminum nanoparticle-film system, reducing the dipolar plasmon linewidth by more than half. A substrate-mediated hybridization of the dipolar and quadrupolar plasmons of the nanoparticle reduces the radiative losses of the dipolar plasmon. While this is a general effect that applies to all metallic nanoparticle-film systems, this finding specifically provides a new mechanism for narrowing plasmon resonances in aluminum-based systems, quite possibly expanding the potential of Al-based plasmonics in real-world applications.

Intrinsic Exciton Linewidth in Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Abstract: Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides feature Coulomb-bound electron-hole pairs (excitons) with exceptionally large binding energy and coupled spin and valley degrees of freedom. These unique attributes have been leveraged for electrical and optical control of excitons for atomically-thin optoelectronics and valleytronics. The development of such technologies relies on understanding and quantifying the fundamental properties of the exciton. A key parameter is the intrinsic exciton homogeneous linewidth, which reflects irreversible quantum dissipation arising from system (exciton) and bath (vacuum and other quasiparticles) interactions. Using optical coherent two-dimensional spectroscopy, we provide the first experimental determination of the exciton homogeneous linewidth in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, specifically tungsten diselenide (WSe2). The role of exciton-exciton and exciton-phonon interactions in quantum decoherence is revealed through excitation density and temperature dependent linewidth measurements. The residual homogeneous linewidth extrapolated to zero density and temperature is ~1.5 meV, placing a lower bound of approximately 0.2 ps on the exciton radiative lifetime. The exciton quantum decoherence mechanisms presented in this work are expected to be ubiquitous in atomically-thin semiconductors.

Metal-dielectric-metal based narrow band absorber for sensing applications.

Abstract: We have investigated numerically the narrowband absorption property of a metal-dielectric-metal based structure which includes a top metallic nanoring arrays, a metal backed plate, and a middle dielectric spacer. Its absorption is up to 90% with linewidth narrower than 10 nm. This can be explained in terms of surface lattice resonance of the periodic structure. The spectrum with the sharp absorption dip, i.e. the lattice resonance, strongly depends on the refractive index of media surrounding the nanorings. This feature can be explored to devise a refractive index sensor, of which the bulk sensitivity factor is one order larger than that based on gap resonance mode, while the surface sensitivity factor can be two times larger. The proposed narrowband absorber has potential in applications of plasmonic biosensors.

Widely Tunable Narrow-Linewidth Monolithically Integrated External-Cavity Semiconductor Lasers

Abstract: We theoretically analyze, design, and measure the performance of a semiconductor laser with a monolithically integrated external cavity. A ∼4 cm long on-chip cavity is made possible by a low-loss silicon waveguide platform. We show tuning in excess of 54 nm in the O-band as well as significant reduction in laser linewidth due to controlled feedback from the external cavity. The measured linewidth in full tuning range is below 100 kHz and the best results are around 50 kHz. Approaches to further improve the performance of such laser architectures are described.

Dual-microcavity narrow-linewidth Brillouin laser

Abstract: Ultralow-noise yet tunable lasers are a revolutionary tool in precision spectroscopy, displacement measurements at the standard quantum limit, and the development of advanced optical atomic clocks. Further applications include lidar, coherent communications, frequency synthesis, and precision sensors of strain, motion, and temperature. While all applications benefit from lower frequency noise, many also require a laser that is robust and compact. Here, we introduce a dual-microcavity laser that leverages one chip-integrable silica microresonator to generate tunable 1550 nm laser light via stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and a second microresonator for frequency stabilization of the SBS light. This configuration reduces the fractional frequency noise to 7.8×10^(−14) 1/√Hz at 10 Hz offset, which is a new regime of noise performance for a microresonator-based laser. Our system also features terahertz tunability and the potential for chip-level integration. We demonstrate the utility of our dual-microcavity laser by performing spectral linewidth measurements with hertz-level resolution.

Silicon Photonic Hybrid Ring-Filter External Cavity Wavelength Tunable Lasers

Abstract: Si-photonic hybrid ring external cavity wavelength tunable lasers by passive alignment techniques with more than 100-mW fiber-coupled power and linewidth narrower than 15 kHz along the whole C-band are demonstrated. These attractive performances are achieved due to very low loss Si-wire waveguides, of which loss is lower than 0.5 dB/cm. Obtained results show excellent features of Si-photonics toward commercial products.

Laser phase and frequency noise measurement by Michelson interferometer composed of a 3 × 3 optical fiber coupler.

Abstract: A laser phase and frequency noise measurement method by an unbalanced Michelson interferometer composed of a 3 × 3 optical fiber coupler is proposed. The relations and differences of the power spectral density (PSD) of differential phase and frequency fluctuation, PSD of instantaneous phase and frequency fluctuation, phase noise and linewidth are derived strictly and discussed carefully. The method obtains the noise features of a narrow linewidth laser conveniently without any specific assumptions or noise models. The technique is also used to characterize the noise features of a narrow linewidth external-cavity semiconductor laser, which confirms the correction and robustness of the method.

Realization of narrowband thermal emission with optical nanostructures

Abstract: The control of thermal emission spectra using optical resonances has been attracting increased attention both with respect to fundamental science and for various applications, including infrared sensing, thermal imaging, and thermophotovoltaics. In this mini-review, we describe the recent experimental demonstrations of narrowband thermal emission with optical nanostructures, including metallic cavities, metamaterials, and all-dielectric photonic crystals. The spectral features of the controlled thermal emission (e.g., wavelength, linewidth, peak emissivity, and angular characteristics) are strongly dependent on the choice of both materials and structures of the emitters. Through the appropriate design of optical nanostructures, arbitrary shaping of thermal emission spectra, from single-peak ultra-narrowband (Q>100) emission for midinfrared sensing to a stepwise emissivity spectrum for thermophotovoltaics, has been successfully realized.

A Time-Encoded Technique for fibre-based hyperspectral broadband stimulated Raman microscopy

Abstract: Raman sensing and microscopy are among the most specific optical technologies to identify the chemical compounds of unknown samples, and to enable label-free biomedical imaging. Here we present a method for stimulated Raman scattering spectroscopy and imaging with a time-encoded (TICO) Raman concept. We use continuous wave, rapidly wavelength-swept probe lasers and combine them with a short-duty-cycle actively modulated pump laser. Hence, we achieve high stimulated Raman gain signal levels, while still benefitting from the narrow linewidth and low noise of continuous wave operation. Our all-fibre TICO-Raman setup uses a Fourier domain mode-locked laser source to achieve a unique combination of high speed, broad spectral coverage (750–3,150 cm−1) and high resolution (0.5 cm−1). The Raman information is directly encoded and acquired in time. We demonstrate quantitative chemical analysis of a solvent mixture and hyperspectral Raman microscopy with molecular contrast of plant cells. Raman microscopes suffer from the compromise between speed and spectral information and are often unsuited for fibre beam delivery. Karpf et al.overcome these limitations using continuous-wave rapidly wavelength-swept probe lasers and a short-duty-cycle actively modulated pump laser in an all-fibre setup.

Spectrally interleaved, comb-mode-resolved spectroscopy using swept dual terahertz combs

Abstract: Optical frequency combs are innovative tools for broadband spectroscopy because a series of comb modes can serve as frequency markers that are traceable to a microwave frequency standard. However, a mode distribution that is too discrete limits the spectral sampling interval to the mode frequency spacing even though individual mode linewidth is sufficiently narrow. Here, using a combination of a spectral interleaving and dual-comb spectroscopy in the terahertz (THz) region, we achieved a spectral sampling interval equal to the mode linewidth rather than the mode spacing. The spectrally interleaved THz comb was realized by sweeping the laser repetition frequency and interleaving additional frequency marks. In low-pressure gas spectroscopy, we achieved an improved spectral sampling density of 2.5 MHz and enhanced spectral accuracy of 8.39 × 10−7 in the THz region. The proposed method is a powerful tool for simultaneously achieving high resolution, high accuracy, and broad spectral coverage in THz spectroscopy.

Carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s for photostable and broadly tunable, solution-processable thin film organic lasers.

Abstract: Thin film organic lasers represent a new generation of inexpensive, mechanically flexible devices for spectroscopy, optical communications and sensing. For this purpose, it is desired to develop highly efficient, stable, wavelength-tunable and solution-processable organic laser materials. Here we report that carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s serve as optimal materials combining all these properties simultaneously at the level required for applications by demonstrating amplified spontaneous emission and distributed feedback laser devices. A series of six compounds, with the repeating unit from 1 to 6, doped into polystyrene films undergo amplified spontaneous emission from 385 to 585 nm with remarkably low threshold and high net gain coefficients, as well as high photostability. The fabricated lasers show narrow linewidth ( 10(5) pump pulses for oligomers with three to six repeating units) and wavelength tunability across the visible spectrum (408-591 nm).

Cavity-funneled generation of indistinguishable single photons from strongly dissipative quantum emitters.

Abstract: We investigate theoretically the generation of indistinguishable single photons from a strongly dissipative quantum system placed inside an optical cavity. The degree of indistinguishability of photons emitted by the cavity is calculated as a function of the emitter-cavity coupling strength and the cavity linewidth. For a quantum emitter subject to strong pure dephasing, our calculations reveal that an unconventional regime of high indistinguishability can be reached for moderate emitter-cavity coupling strengths and high-quality factor cavities. In this regime, the broad spectrum of the dissipative quantum system is funneled into the narrow line shape of the cavity. The associated efficiency is found to greatly surpass spectral filtering effects. Our findings open the path towards on-chip scalable indistinguishable-photon-emitting devices operating at room temperature.

Polymer/Perovskite Amplifying Waveguides for Active Hybrid Silicon Photonics

Abstract: The emission properties of hybrid halide perovskites are exploited to implement a stable and very low power operation waveguide optical amplifier integrated in a silicon platform. By optimizing its design with a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) encapsulation, this novel photonic device presents a net gain of around 10 dB cm(-1) and 3-4 nm linewidth with an energy threshold as low as 2 nJ pulse(-1) and exhibiting no degradation after one year.

Fano resonance in all-dielectric binary nanodisk array realizing optical filter with efficient linewidth tuning.

Abstract: In this research paper, we study the Fano resonance originating from the interaction of in-phased lattice collective resonance and anti-phased lattice collective resonance supported by a binary silicon nanodisk array. Experimental results agree well with the calculations using finite-difference-time-domain method and show a strong dependence of such Fano lineshapes on the radius difference of the particles in the array. Further calculations demonstrate that such binary silicon nanodisk array can be used as an optical filter and offers an efficient way to tune the linewidth simply by changing the radius of the particles, linewidth from 12 nm to 0.7 nm and corresponding Q factor from 72 to 1290 as the radius R(2) increasing from 60 nm to 115 nm. Such scheme possessing the merits of being easily fabricated, simulated, and tuned is very promising for practical applications.

Inductance of Circuit Structures for MIT LL Superconductor Electronics Fabrication Process With 8 Niobium Layers

Abstract: Inductance of superconducting thin-film inductors and structures with linewidth down to 250 nm has been experimentally evaluated. The inductors include various striplines and microstrips, their 90° bends and meanders, interlayer vias, etc., typically used in superconducting digital circuits. The circuits have been fabricated by a fully planarized process with 8 niobium layers, developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory for very-large-scale superconducting integrated circuits. Excellent run-to-run reproducibility and inductance uniformity of better than 1% across 200-mm wafers have been found. It has been found that the inductance per unit length of stripline and microstrip line inductors continues to grow as the inductor linewidth is reduced deep into the submicron range to the widths comparable to the film thickness and magnetic field penetration depth. It is shown that the linewidth reduction does not lead to widening of the parameter spread due to diminishing sensitivity of the inductance to the linewidth and dielectric thickness. The experimental results were compared with numeric inductance extraction using commercial software and freeware, and a good agreement was found for 3-D inductance extractors. Methods of further miniaturization of circuit inductors for achieving circuit densities> 10 6 Josephson junctions per cm 2 are discussed.

Comparison of phase modulation schemes for coherently combined fiber amplifiers

Abstract: Optical linewidth broadening through both white noise (WNS) and pseudo-random binary sequence (PBRS) phase modulation are effective techniques for suppressing stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in high- power fiber amplifiers However, detailed studies comparing both coherent beam combining and SBS suppression of these phase modulation schemes have not been reported In this study, a passive fiber cutback experiment is performed comparing the SBS threshold enhancement factor of a PRBS and WNS broadened seed as a function of linewidth and fiber length Particularly, assuming an optimal PRBS pattern is chosen, pseudo-random modulation provides superior SBS suppression than WNS for a given fiber length and signal linewidth Furthermore, two WNS and PRBS modulated 150 W fiber lasers are coherently combined to measure and compare the combining efficiency, beam quality, and coherence as a function of optical path length difference Notably, the discrete spectral density of PRBS modulation provides a re-coherence effect where the lasers periodically come back into phase Overall, this may reduce path length matching complexity in coherently combined fiber laser systems

An artificial Rb atom in a semiconductor with lifetime-limited linewidth

Abstract: We report results important for the creation of a best-of-both-worlds quantum hybrid system consisting of a solid-state source of single photons and an atomic ensemble as quantum memory. We generate single photons from a GaAs quantum dot (QD) frequency matched to the Rb $D2$ transitions and then use the Rb transitions to analyze spectrally the quantum dot photons. We demonstrate lifetime-limited QD linewidths (1.42 GHz) with both resonant and nonresonant excitation. The QD resonance fluorescence in the low power regime is dominated by Rayleigh scattering, a route to match quantum dot and Rb atom linewidths and to shape the temporal wave packet of the QD photons. Noise in the solid-state environment is relatively benign: there is a blinking of the resonance fluorescence at MHz rates but negligible dephasing of the QD excitonic transition. We therefore demonstrate significant progress towards the realization of an ideal solid-state source of single photons at a key wavelength for quantum technologies.

Ultra-narrow linewidth measurement based on Voigt profile fitting

Abstract: We study the method of Voigt profile fitting for ultra-narrow linewidth measurement It filters out the effect of the spectrum broadening due to the 1/f frequency noise and extracts out the Lorentzian lineshape from the measured spectrum The resolution is thus greatly promoted than the direct measurement from the self-heterodyne technique We apply this method to an ultra-narrow-linewidth (~40 Hz by heterodyne beat technique) Brillouin/erbium fiber laser The linewidth estimated from Voigt fitting method is indicated to be more accurate In contrast, the linewidths estimated direct from the 3-dB and the 20-dB heterodyne-spectrum width are far over the true linewidth of the BEFL The Voigt fitting method provides an efficient tool for ultra-narrow-linewidth measurement And compared with heterodyne beat technique, it is applicable for all types of lasers

Tunable narrowband microwave photonic filter created by stimulated Brillouin scattering from a silicon nanowire.

Abstract: We demonstrate the first, to the best of our knowledge, functional signal processing device based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in a silicon nanowire. We use only 1 dB of on-chip stimulated Brillouin scattering gain to create an RF photonic notch filter with 48 dB of suppression, 98 MHz linewidth, and 6 GHz frequency tuning. This device has potential applications in on-chip microwave signal processing and establishes the foundation for the first CMOS-compatible high-performance RF photonic filter.

Novel Widely Tunable Monolithically Integrated Laser Source

Abstract: We report a novel type of monolithically integrated tunable semiconductor laser. The tuning is achieved by three intracavity Mach–Zehnder interferometers, realized in passive waveguides and using voltage-controlled electro-optic phase modulators requiring only four control voltages. The potential of the design is demonstrated by a realized laser system that shows an optical linewidth of 363 kHz, output power of 3 mW, and a record tuning range of 74.3 nm. Such a continuous wavelength span is in excess of any monolithic semiconductor laser reported up to date. Precision of the tuning mechanism is demonstrated by a scan over a 0.89-GHz-wide absorption line of acetylene. The laser design is suitable for a number of applications, including gas spectroscopy, telecommunication, and optical coherence tomography. The laser has been fabricated in a multi-project wafer run on an indium phosphide-based generic photonic foundry platform and demonstrates the potential of these technology platforms.

Decade-spanning high-precision terahertz frequency comb.

Abstract: The generation and detection of a decade-spanning terahertz (THz) frequency comb is reported using two Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser oscillators and asynchronous optical sampling THz time-domain spectroscopy. The comb extends from 0.15 to 2.4 THz, with a tooth spacing of 80 MHz, a linewidth of 3.7 kHz, and a fractional precision of 1.8×10^(−9). With time-domain detection of the comb, we measure three transitions of water vapor at 10 mTorr between 1–2 THz with an average Doppler-limited fractional accuracy of 6.1×10^(−8). Significant improvements in bandwidth, resolution, and sensitivity are possible with existing technologies.

Narrow linewidth single laser source system for onboard atom interferometry

Abstract: A compact and robust laser system for atom interferometry based on a frequency-doubled telecom laser is presented. Thanks to the original stabilization architecture on a saturated absorption setup, we obtain a frequency agile laser system allowing fast tuning of the laser frequency over 1 GHz in few ms using a single laser source. The different laser frequencies used for atom interferometry are generated by changing dynamically the frequency of the laser and by creating sidebands using a phase modulator. A laser system for Rubidium 87 atom interferometry using only one laser source based on a frequency-doubled telecom fiber bench is then built. We take advantage of the maturity of fiber telecom technology to reduce the number of free-space optical components (which are intrinsically less stable) and to make the setup compact and much less sensitive to vibrations and thermal fluctuations. This source provides spectral linewidth below 2.5 kHz, which is required for precision atom interferometry and particularly for a high performance atomic inertial sensor.