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Development of short pulse sources at 1.5µm for non-linear propagation studies in optical fibres

Development of short pulse sources at 1.5µm for non-linear propagation studies in optical fibres
Development of short pulse sources at 1.5µm for non-linear propagation studies in optical fibres
The development of sources of short mode-locked pulses at 1.5µm is described. Pulses of sufficient power in this spectral region are of great interest for the study of non-linear pulse propagation in optical fibres, where the interplay of negative group velocity dispersion and self-phase modulation can lead to soliton formation and pulse compression.
Initial work concentrated on a Nd:YAG pumped methane Raman laser at 1.54µm. The use of a high pressure cell and a capillary waveguide reduces the stimulated Raman scattering threshold to just ~190kW. The use of synchronous pumping is shown to reduce this even further, to ~50kW, which is an order of magnitude less than the peak power available from a typical cw pumped, mode-locked and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. These threshold values are shown to be in close agreement with theoretical predictions. Peak output powers of nearly 70kW are available in bandwidth-limited, 100ps full width half maximum duration pulses.
We then describe a Nd:YAG pumped Yb:Er phosphate glass laser, showing it to be a versatile source in the 1.5µm spectral region. Pulsed, cw, mode-locked and Q-switched operation have been demonstrated in bulk and fibre forms. A simple rate equation model of this sensitised 3-level laser system. is shown to be in rough agreement with experimental results, with absorbed power thresholds as low as ~500mW and ~12mW being found in the bulk and fibre forms respectively. Typical mode-locked pulse durations of ~70ps are found and subsequent pulse compression via high order soliton propagation has given pulses of ~400fs.
Finally the Yb:Er laser is assessed as a candidate for enhanced mode-locking via a non-linear external cavity, as in the soliton laser.
Shepherd, David Patrick
9fdd51c4-39d6-41b3-9021-4c033c2f4ead
Shepherd, David Patrick
9fdd51c4-39d6-41b3-9021-4c033c2f4ead
Hanna, D.C.
3da5a5b4-71c2-4441-bb67-21f0d28a187d

Shepherd, David Patrick (1989) Development of short pulse sources at 1.5µm for non-linear propagation studies in optical fibres. University of Southampton, Department of Physics, Doctoral Thesis, 164pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

The development of sources of short mode-locked pulses at 1.5µm is described. Pulses of sufficient power in this spectral region are of great interest for the study of non-linear pulse propagation in optical fibres, where the interplay of negative group velocity dispersion and self-phase modulation can lead to soliton formation and pulse compression.
Initial work concentrated on a Nd:YAG pumped methane Raman laser at 1.54µm. The use of a high pressure cell and a capillary waveguide reduces the stimulated Raman scattering threshold to just ~190kW. The use of synchronous pumping is shown to reduce this even further, to ~50kW, which is an order of magnitude less than the peak power available from a typical cw pumped, mode-locked and Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. These threshold values are shown to be in close agreement with theoretical predictions. Peak output powers of nearly 70kW are available in bandwidth-limited, 100ps full width half maximum duration pulses.
We then describe a Nd:YAG pumped Yb:Er phosphate glass laser, showing it to be a versatile source in the 1.5µm spectral region. Pulsed, cw, mode-locked and Q-switched operation have been demonstrated in bulk and fibre forms. A simple rate equation model of this sensitised 3-level laser system. is shown to be in rough agreement with experimental results, with absorbed power thresholds as low as ~500mW and ~12mW being found in the bulk and fibre forms respectively. Typical mode-locked pulse durations of ~70ps are found and subsequent pulse compression via high order soliton propagation has given pulses of ~400fs.
Finally the Yb:Er laser is assessed as a candidate for enhanced mode-locking via a non-linear external cavity, as in the soliton laser.

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More information

Published date: September 1989
Organisations: University of Southampton, Optoelectronics Research Centre, Physics & Astronomy

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 379850
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/379850
PURE UUID: fb73faa3-4af8-4da1-b4ff-99a10170b63e
ORCID for David Patrick Shepherd: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-4561-8184

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 03 Aug 2015 10:26
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:40

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Contributors

Author: David Patrick Shepherd ORCID iD
Thesis advisor: D.C. Hanna

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