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PROPOSAL AT A GLANCE
Proposal name:
High power pulsed fibre lasers based on glass and single crystal fibres for 1-2 micron wavelength range
Subject:
Development of the compact pulsed laser sources operating in a spectral range of 1-2 microns, represents significant interest for application in air pollution monitoring systems, for information and communication technologies, medical devices (an optical coherent tomography for instance), and also in other cases when the use of precision, intellectual measuring and diagnostic devices is necessary.
The most promising direction in the given area is the creation of all-fibre laser systems without use of bulk elements that should lead to simple cost-effective devices in a compact, robust form.
For lasing nano- and microsecond pulses the fibre saturated absorbers based on the fibres doped by Sm, Bi, etc. ions can be used. Development of laser mirrors on the basis of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM) and application of carbon nanotubes in Q-switched and passive modelocked schemes, and also application of new types of photonic crystal fibres leads to creation compact, reliable and simple laser systems with direct diode pumping. The design of the laser thus is simpler and cheaper in comparison with traditional lasers on Ti:Al2O3 crystals. Furthermore the specified saturated absorbers are not spectral selective elements and suppose use in a wide wavelength range that leads to an opportunity of creation of Q-switched Raman lasers, focused on characteristic absorption lines of various substances (air pollution, explosives evaporation). Use of fibre Raman converters allows to design lasers for any specific wavelength in a range 1-2 microns. Thus it is possible both transformation of driving laser pulse and direct achievement of a pulse mode for Raman laser with application of SESAM and carbon nanotubes absorbers.
Application of two different types of active media allows using the best characteristics of crystals and glasses. In particular, in single crystal fibres realization of small value of refractive index radial gradient (less than 0.0002) is possible, that enable to achieve fundamental mode lasing with mode sizes up to 100 microns. In this case the lasing with pulse energy on two orders of magnitude bigger than with use of a common glass fibre is possible. On the other hand within the frames of work the creation of combined fibres is planned - the central part of such fibre is crystal, and external - glass or polymeric, that allows using face pumping in the same way, as in double-clad glass fibres.
The most promising direction in the given area is the creation of all-fibre laser systems without use of bulk elements that should lead to simple cost-effective devices in a compact, robust form.
For lasing nano- and microsecond pulses the fibre saturated absorbers based on the fibres doped by Sm, Bi, etc. ions can be used. Development of laser mirrors on the basis of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM) and application of carbon nanotubes in Q-switched and passive modelocked schemes, and also application of new types of photonic crystal fibres leads to creation compact, reliable and simple laser systems with direct diode pumping. The design of the laser thus is simpler and cheaper in comparison with traditional lasers on Ti:Al2O3 crystals. Furthermore the specified saturated absorbers are not spectral selective elements and suppose use in a wide wavelength range that leads to an opportunity of creation of Q-switched Raman lasers, focused on characteristic absorption lines of various substances (air pollution, explosives evaporation). Use of fibre Raman converters allows to design lasers for any specific wavelength in a range 1-2 microns. Thus it is possible both transformation of driving laser pulse and direct achievement of a pulse mode for Raman laser with application of SESAM and carbon nanotubes absorbers.
Application of two different types of active media allows using the best characteristics of crystals and glasses. In particular, in single crystal fibres realization of small value of refractive index radial gradient (less than 0.0002) is possible, that enable to achieve fundamental mode lasing with mode sizes up to 100 microns. In this case the lasing with pulse energy on two orders of magnitude bigger than with use of a common glass fibre is possible. On the other hand within the frames of work the creation of combined fibres is planned - the central part of such fibre is crystal, and external - glass or polymeric, that allows using face pumping in the same way, as in double-clad glass fibres.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Proposal Outline:
All activity on the project is brought up in two main directions:
1. Creation of functional elements and breadboard models of devices on the basis of the activated glass fibres for a range 1 - 2 microns: Task 1. Development of methods of application of fibre saturated absorbers on the basis of the optical fibres doped by ions Sm, Bi, etc. Creation of breadboard models of micro- and nanosecond lasers; Task 2. Development of laser mirrors based on of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM) and application of carbon nanotubes as saturated absorbers in Q-switch schemes and passive mode locking. Creation of breadboard models of pico- and sub-picosecond lasers.
2. Creation of functional elements and breadboard models of lasers on the basis of single crystal fibres (active media for near IR-range — 1 micron, 1.2 – 1.7 microns). Development of laser mirrors based on of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM) and application of carbon nanotubes as saturated absorbers in Q-switch schemes and passive mode locking. Creation of breadboard models of nano- and picosecond lasers.
In the field of 1-micron lasers the basic attention is paid to the researches directed to creation of temperature gauges with the high spatial resolution, and also to development of laser systems with the target characteristics necessary for the materials processing, including the nondestructive methods of the material characteristics modification. One of the promising types of the temperature gauges are the devices based on registration of anti-Stokes component of the back scattered probe beam in optical fiber. Application for this purpose the ultrashort laser pulses gives rise to the high spatial resolution in temperature measurements.
The spectral range of 1.3 – 1.6 microns is used in optical communication; therefore creation of new tiny and effective fiber lasers, amplifiers and isolators is rather actual. In turn, the range 1.2 – 1.7 microns represents the big interest for creation of devices for environment monitoring. Developed laser sources can emit at various wavelengths, including the wavelengths corresponding to absorption lines of air pollutions (methane, ammonia, HF, etc.). Therefore there is an opportunity of use of the given lasers for environment monitoring. Owing to the small sizes the device for such monitoring can be mobile, including onboard mounting.
The range around 2 microns represents the big interest for medicine. Prominent feature of the influence of ultrashort pulses on human tissue is absence of appreciable thermal effect. Therefore such lasers could find applications in surgery, dentistry, and cosmetology and so forth when heating of tissue is undesirable. Application of lasers with various operation wavelengths allows to choose the depth of influence of laser radiation. Besides the range of 1.6 – 2.1 microns is of interest for creation of laser locators and the range finders operating in eye-safe spectral range.
In the frames of the project the development of experimental technology of manufacturing of active elements based on the single crystal fibres doped with Nd3+, Yb3+ or Cr4+ ions is expected. The special attention will be paid to an opportunity of creation in these fibres a radial gradient of a refraction index which will allow carrying out a waveguide lasing mode and by that to increase laser efficiency. As a result we expect the creation of breadboard models of compact diode pumped laser devices (microchip lasers) operating in a range of 1 – 2 microns which can be applied in scientific researches, optical communication, remote monitoring, medicine, technology.
At the initial stage optical and lasing characteristics of new glass and crystal fibres (differing from known by the concentration and dopant composition) will be investigated, opportunities will be determined for SESAM and carbon nanotubes Q-switches creation with the features specified for fiber the lasers operating in a pulse mode in the range 1-2 micron.
By development of breadboard models technical solutions of a design of promising industrial devices will be determined. Decrease in dimensions, costs and improvement of key parameters of solid-state lasers will expand a range of application, first of all, in the areas which are guided to application of low average power lasers: telecommunication, the monitoring and measuring equipment (including one for environmental monitoring), and medicine.
1. Creation of functional elements and breadboard models of devices on the basis of the activated glass fibres for a range 1 - 2 microns: Task 1. Development of methods of application of fibre saturated absorbers on the basis of the optical fibres doped by ions Sm, Bi, etc. Creation of breadboard models of micro- and nanosecond lasers; Task 2. Development of laser mirrors based on of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM) and application of carbon nanotubes as saturated absorbers in Q-switch schemes and passive mode locking. Creation of breadboard models of pico- and sub-picosecond lasers.
2. Creation of functional elements and breadboard models of lasers on the basis of single crystal fibres (active media for near IR-range — 1 micron, 1.2 – 1.7 microns). Development of laser mirrors based on of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM) and application of carbon nanotubes as saturated absorbers in Q-switch schemes and passive mode locking. Creation of breadboard models of nano- and picosecond lasers.
In the field of 1-micron lasers the basic attention is paid to the researches directed to creation of temperature gauges with the high spatial resolution, and also to development of laser systems with the target characteristics necessary for the materials processing, including the nondestructive methods of the material characteristics modification. One of the promising types of the temperature gauges are the devices based on registration of anti-Stokes component of the back scattered probe beam in optical fiber. Application for this purpose the ultrashort laser pulses gives rise to the high spatial resolution in temperature measurements.
The spectral range of 1.3 – 1.6 microns is used in optical communication; therefore creation of new tiny and effective fiber lasers, amplifiers and isolators is rather actual. In turn, the range 1.2 – 1.7 microns represents the big interest for creation of devices for environment monitoring. Developed laser sources can emit at various wavelengths, including the wavelengths corresponding to absorption lines of air pollutions (methane, ammonia, HF, etc.). Therefore there is an opportunity of use of the given lasers for environment monitoring. Owing to the small sizes the device for such monitoring can be mobile, including onboard mounting.
The range around 2 microns represents the big interest for medicine. Prominent feature of the influence of ultrashort pulses on human tissue is absence of appreciable thermal effect. Therefore such lasers could find applications in surgery, dentistry, and cosmetology and so forth when heating of tissue is undesirable. Application of lasers with various operation wavelengths allows to choose the depth of influence of laser radiation. Besides the range of 1.6 – 2.1 microns is of interest for creation of laser locators and the range finders operating in eye-safe spectral range.
In the frames of the project the development of experimental technology of manufacturing of active elements based on the single crystal fibres doped with Nd3+, Yb3+ or Cr4+ ions is expected. The special attention will be paid to an opportunity of creation in these fibres a radial gradient of a refraction index which will allow carrying out a waveguide lasing mode and by that to increase laser efficiency. As a result we expect the creation of breadboard models of compact diode pumped laser devices (microchip lasers) operating in a range of 1 – 2 microns which can be applied in scientific researches, optical communication, remote monitoring, medicine, technology.
At the initial stage optical and lasing characteristics of new glass and crystal fibres (differing from known by the concentration and dopant composition) will be investigated, opportunities will be determined for SESAM and carbon nanotubes Q-switches creation with the features specified for fiber the lasers operating in a pulse mode in the range 1-2 micron.
By development of breadboard models technical solutions of a design of promising industrial devices will be determined. Decrease in dimensions, costs and improvement of key parameters of solid-state lasers will expand a range of application, first of all, in the areas which are guided to application of low average power lasers: telecommunication, the monitoring and measuring equipment (including one for environmental monitoring), and medicine.
Keywords:
pulsed fibre lasers, single crystal fiber, passive Q-switch, passive mode-locking, 1-2 micron spectral range, carbon nanotubes
PARTNER PROFILE SOUGHT
Required skills and Expertise:
Experts in computer simulation of fibre and Raman lasers;
Experts in manufacturing of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM);
Experts in manufacturing and investigation of Bi-doped fibres.
Description of work to be carried out by the partner(s) sought:
It is desirable, that partners could take upon oneself:
1. Manufacturing, characterization and optimization of semi-conductor saturated absorbers (SESAM);
2. Manufacturing and characterization of the Bi-doped fibres;
3. Study of dynamic characteristics of fibre lasers with saturated absorbers based on fibres, doped by Sm or Bi ions;
4. Pulsed Raman converter simulations.
Type of partner(s) sought:
University, R&D Center, Industrial end-user for user needs and market analysis and testing
The Proposer is looking for a Coordinator:
Yes
PROPOSER INFORMATION
Organisation:
General Physics Institute
Department:
Laser Crystals
Type of Organisation:
Research Center
Country:
Russian Federation
