Picosecond hybrid laser based on semiconductor laser, fibre and Nd : YVO4 amplifiers. Investigation of effects limiting the peak power. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gorbunov, I A; Kulagin, O V
• Is Part Of: Quantum electronics. Volume 51:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 886
• Page End: 893
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: picosecond lasers -- DFB lasers -- fibre amplifiers -- largescale self-focusing.; Quantum electronics -- Periodicals; 537.5
• DOI: 10.1070/QEL17627
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1063-7818

Abstract

Abstract: Based on a distributed-feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser, an ytterbium fibre amplifier, an Nd : YVO4 amplifier, and a frequency converter, we designed a hybrid picosecond laser for satellite laser ranging. A gain exceeding 10 8 is achieved while maintaining the temporal shape and spectrum of the pulses, with a low noise level and a divergence close to the diffraction limit. The pulse energy after conversion to the second harmonic at λ = 532 nm is 2.2 mJ with a duration of 27 ps and a repetition rate of 1 kHz. It is shown that the main effects limiting the peak power are spectrum broadening due to self-phase modulation in a fibre amplifier and large-scale self-focusing in the Nd : YVO4 amplifier. Optimisation of the amplifier geometry and the use of a uniform profile of the pump radiation intensity make it possible to reduce the effect of self-focusing and increase the energy efficiency of the amplifier.