Spectral and temporal control of Q-switched solid-state lasers using intracavity MEMS

Paterson, Alan and Bauer, Ralf and Li, Ran and Clark, Caspar and Lubeigt, Walter and Uttamchandani, Deepak (2016) Spectral and temporal control of Q-switched solid-state lasers using intracavity MEMS. In: SPIE Photonics West 2016, 2016-02-13 - 2016-02-18.

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Abstract

Active control of the spectral and temporal output characteristics of solid-state lasers through use of MEMS scanning micromirrors is presented. A side-pumped Nd:YAG laser with two intracavity scanning micromirrors, enabling Q-switching operation with controllable pulse duration and pulse-on-demand capabilities, is investigated. Changing the actuation signal of one micromirror allows a variation of the pulse duration between 370 ns and 1.06 μs at a pulse repetition frequency of 21.37 kHz and average output power of 50 mW. Pulse-on-demand lasing is enabled through actuation of the second micromirror. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of the use of multiple intracavity MEMS devices as active tuning elements in a single solid-state laser cavity. Furthermore, we present the first demonstration of control over the output wavelength of a solid-state laser using a micromirror and a prism in an intracavity Littman configuration. A static tilt actuation of the micromirror resulted in tuning the output wavelength of an Yb:KGW laser from 1024 nm to 1031.5 nm, with FWHM bandwidths between 0.2 nm and 0.4 nm. These proof-of-principle demonstrations provide the first steps towards a miniaturized, flexible solid-state laser system with potential defense and industrial applications.

  • Item type:Conference or Workshop Item(Paper)
    ID code:55896
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    15 July 2016
    Published
    19 January 2016
    Accepted
    Notes:Published in Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, Vol 9726, paper 97261U, 15 July 2016
    Subjects:Science > Physics > Optics. Light
    Department:Faculty of Engineering > Electronic and Electrical Engineering
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:15 Mar 2016 13:09
    Last modified:09 Apr 2024 06:11
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/55896
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