Optical vortex generation from a diode-pumped alexandrite laser. (1st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomas, G M; Minassian, A; Damzen, M J
• Is Part Of: Laser physics letters. Volume 15:Number 4(2018:Apr.)
• Publication Date: 2018-03-01
• Subjects: diode-pumped lasers -- solid-state lasers -- optical vortex; Lasers -- Periodicals; Physics -- Periodicals; 621.366
• DOI: 10.1088/1612-202X/aaa9a4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-2011

Abstract

Abstract: We present the demonstration of an optical vortex mode directly generated from a diode-pumped alexandrite slab laser, operating in the bounce geometry. This is the first demonstration of an optical vortex mode generated from an alexandrite laser or from any other vibronic laser. An output power of 2 W for a vortex mode with a 'topological charge' of 1 was achieved and the laser was made to oscillate with both left- and right-handed vorticity. The laser operated at two distinct wavelengths simultaneously, 755 and 759 nm, due to birefringent filtering in the alexandrite gain medium. The result offers the prospect of broadly wavelength tunable vortex generation directly from a laser.