Laser vibrometer-rangefinder based on self-sweeping fiber laser.

A vibrometer-rangefinder based on principles of coherent optical frequency-domain reflectometry (C-OFDR) is experimentally demonstrated. A self-sweeping ytterbium-doped fiber laser, which does not require any spectrally selective elements and drivers for wavelength tuning, with a sweeping range of 1056-1074 nm is used as a tunable source of probe radiation for the C-OFDR measurements. We demonstrate the possibility of measuring target vibrations in the frequency range from 2 Hz to 5 kHz with an amplitude of down to ∼5 nm at a distance of up to ∼13 m. The maximum measurable vibration frequency is limited by the instability of the self-sweeping laser parameters in the time domain and is estimated as ∼7.5 kHz.

Multimode LD-pumped all-fiber Raman laser with excellent quality of 2nd-order Stokes output beam at 1019†nm.

A multimode all-fiber Raman laser enabling cascaded generation of high-quality 1019-nm output beam at direct pumping by highly-multimode (M2>30) 940-nm laser diodes has been demonstrated. The laser is made of a 100/140 graded-index fiber with special in-fiber Bragg gratings which secure sequential generation of the 1st (976 nm) and 2nd (1019 nm) Stokes orders. Comparing different 1019-nm cavity structures shows that the half-open cavity with one FBG and distributed feedback via random Rayleigh backscattering provides excellent quality (M2∼1.3) with higher slope efficiency of pump-to-2nd Stokes conversion than in the conventional 2-FBG cavity. The maximum achieved slope efficiency amounts to about 40% at output powers of up to 12 W limited by the 3rd Stokes generation.

Frequency doubling of multimode diode-pumped GRIN-fiber Raman lasers.

Frequency doubling of multimode diode-pumped GRIN-fiber Raman laser with improved beam quality (M2=1.9-2.6 depending on configuration) in a simple single-pass scheme with 5-mm PPLN crystal is studied. After scheme optimization and elimination of back reflection and crystal heating effects, an efficient conversion into blue spectral range with output power of about 0.4 W@488 nm and 0.64 W@477 nm has been demonstrated.

Spectral characterization technique of self-organized distributed feedback in a self-sweeping fiber laser.

We report on spectral characterization technique of self-organized dynamical distributed feedback (DDFB) in a self-sweeping Yb-doped fiber laser. The DDFB is originated from gain and refraction index gratings formed (recorded by standing waves) in the laser's active medium and dynamically changes during frequency self-sweeping operation. Dynamic nature of the feedback requires fast characterization (reading) of corresponding reflection spectrum. The reading process can be separated from the recording one in time due to sufficiently long characteristic time of the dynamical gratings. The DDFB spectra are measured during off-state of the self-sweeping laser with a tunable probe radiation near the dynamical grating reflection maximum. The spectra reconstructed in a range of ~1 GHz from a sequence of shorter probe wave scans have narrow sharp peak with width of ~50 MHz and reflectivity of about 0.1%. A good agreement between theory and experimental results is demonstrated.

Broad-range self-sweeping single-frequency linearly polarized Tm-doped fiber laser.

We experimentally demonstrate a linearly polarized Tm-doped fiber laser with sweeping range up to 26 nm in the region of 1.92 µm. The main feature of the laser is generation of periodic microsecond pulses in which each contains practically only single longitudinal mode radiation. The laser frequency changes from pulse to pulse with high linearity by one intermode beating frequency of the laser ∼8 MHz. The developed source is applied to measure spectrum of water absorption lines in air.

Michelson mode selector for spectral range stabilization in a self-sweeping fiber laser.

We report on spectral range stabilization in a self-sweeping laser by adding a narrowband fiber Bragg grating (FBG) to the output mirror in the Michelson configuration. The effects of FBG reflectivity and optical path difference in the Michelson interferometer on the laser spectral dynamics are investigated. Optimization of the interferometer allows us to demonstrate broadband (over 16 nm) self-sweeping operation and reduction of the start and stop wavelength fluctuations by two orders and one order of magnitude (∼100 and 15 times) for start and stop bounds, respectively (down to several picometers). The proposed approaches significantly improve quality of the spectral dynamics and facilitate application of the self-sweeping lasers.

Raman fiber laser with random distributed feedback based on a twin-core fiber.

An operation of a linearly polarized Raman fiber laser with random distributed feedback based on a polarization-maintaining twin-core fiber (TCF) is demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The results indicate that the TCF allows one to obtain laser generation with a linewidth that is about five times smaller than that for the random laser based on a conventional fiber with similar parameters. The reasons for narrowing include both the weakening of nonlinear effects due to the power density reduction and the spectrally selective properties of the TCF.

All-fiber Brillouin optical spectrum analyzer based on self-sweeping fiber laser.

We proposed and demonstrated an all-fiber scheme for optical spectrum measurement based on stimulated Brillouin scattering and frequency self-sweeping laser without external driver and frequency tunable elements. The resolution and measuring range of proposed analyzer is measured to be 23 MHz and 5 THz respectively. The ways for improvement of the device characteristics are discussed.

Nearly single-mode Raman lasing at 954 nm in a graded-index fiber directly pumped by a multimode laser diode.

High beam quality and narrow spectrum have been obtained in a Raman fiber laser based on a 1.1 km long graded-index fiber directly pumped by a multimode 915 nm laser diode. The generation of a near-diffraction-limited beam at 954 nm with M2≤1.27 and Δλ=0.42 nm at an output power above 10 W is enabled by a cavity mirror made of a special fiber Bragg grating inscribed by a femtosecond technique in the central part of the graded-index fiber core.

Multi-peak structure of generation spectrum of random distributed feedback fiber Raman lasers.

We study spectral features of the generation of random distributed feedback fiber Raman laser arising from two-peak shape of the Raman gain spectral profile realized in the germanosilicate fibers. We demonstrate that number of peaks can be calculated using power balance model considering different subcomponents within each Stokes component.

Frequency doubling of Raman fiber lasers with random distributed feedback.

This Letter presents what we believe is the first experimental study of frequency doubling of a Raman fiber laser (RFL) with random distributed feedback (RDFB) in an MgO:PPLN crystal. We compared two laser configurations, each with a half-open cavity. The cavity contained either a broadband Sagnac mirror or a narrowband fiber Bragg grating (FBG). We found that spectral broadening in the studied configurations of the RDFB RFLs differed from that found in a conventional RFL with a linear cavity, as well as from each other. We also compared the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency for these three types of lasers. The highest SHG efficiency was obtained for the RDFB RFL with the FBG delivering >100 mW power at 654 nm.

Linearly polarized random fiber laser with ultimate efficiency.

Linearly polarized pumping of a random fiber laser made of a 500-m PM fiber with PM fiber-loop mirror at one fiber end results in generation of linearly polarized radiation at 1.11 µm with the polarization extinction ratio as high as 25 dB at the output power of up to 9.4 W. The absolute optical efficiency of pump-to-Stokes wave conversion reaches 87%, which is close to the quantum limit and sets a record for Raman fiber lasers with random distributed feedback and with a linear cavity as well. Herewith, the output linewidth at high powers tends to saturation at a level of 1.8 nm.

Random fiber laser directly pumped by a high-power laser diode.

A random lasing based on Rayleigh scattering (RS) in a passive fiber directly pumped by a high-power laser diode (LD) has been demonstrated. Owing to the RS-based random distributed feedback (RDFB) the low-quality LD beam (938 nm) is converted into the high-quality laser output (980 nm). Because of the relatively low excess above the threshold with the available LD, the RDFB laser output is not stationary and limited in power at the 0.5 W level. In the used gradient-index fiber, the output beam has 4.5 lower divergence as compared with the pump beam thus demonstrating a new way for development of high-power fiber lasers with high-quality output.

Generation dynamics of the narrowband Yb-doped fiber laser.

We present direct real-time experimental measurements and numerical modeling of temporal and statistical properties for the Ytterbium-doped fiber laser with spectral bandwidth of ~2 GHz. The obtained results demonstrate nearly exponential probability density function for intensity fluctuations. A significant decrease below the Gaussian probability has been experimentally observed for intensity fluctuations having value more than 2.5 of average intensity that may be treated as indication of some mode correlations.

Output spectrum of Yb-doped fiber lasers.

An analytical model for self phase modulation in Yb-doped fiber laser (YDFL) describing output spectrum and its broadening with increasing power has been developed. Spectral measurements in continuous wave (CW) cladding-pumped YDFL have proved the validity of the model demonstrating hyperbolic secant shape of the spectrum and linear increase of the line width with power in 1-12 W range. At lower powers, spatial hole burning and line self-sweeping effects become important and define the lower limit for the line width.

270-km ultralong Raman fiber laser.

We analyze the physical mechanisms limiting optical fiber resonator length and report on the longest ever laser cavity, reaching 270 km, which shows a clearly resolvable mode structure with a width of approximately 120 Hz and peak separation of approximately 380 Hz in the radio-frequency spectrum.

Frequency doubling of a broadband Raman fiber laser to 655 nm.

655 nm laser radiation with power of >60 mW is generated by frequency doubling of a broadband randomly-polarized 1.31-microm Raman fiber laser (RFL). The red power appears to grow linearly with increasing RFL power up to 7 W at efficiency comparable with that for single-frequency lasers. It has been shown that multiple sum-frequency mixing processes involving different RFL modes provide the main contribution to the output, which is enhanced by 2 times due to the modes stochasticity.

Turbulence-induced square-root broadening of the Raman fiber laser output spectrum.

The output characteristics of the conventional one-stage Raman fiber laser (RFL) are described in an optical wave turbulence formalism. Simple analytical expressions describing RFL output power and its spectral shape are presented, and square-root law for the output spectrum broadening law has been discovered. The indications of the turbulent-like spectral broadening in other types of cw fiber lasers and propagation phenomena in fibers are also discussed.

Mechanism of mode coupling in multicore fiber lasers.

We present what is believed to be the first experimental demonstration of a new mechanism of mode coupling in multicore fibers (MCFs) based on their indirect interaction inside the fiber via intermediate mode, analogous to the Bragg mode, which is very sensitive to bending of the fiber. Very strong coupling between the core modes regardless of large spacing (approximately 28 microm) between them has been demonstrated in the MCF laser as well as in the probe beam schemes. 70% of power conversion from one core to another with beating length of tens of centimeters in 4-core MCF is measured.

Spectral broadening in Raman fiber lasers.

We present an analytical theory based on wave kinetic equations that describes a Raman fiber laser (RFL) generation spectrum. It is shown both theoretically and experimentally that the quasi-degenerate four-wave mixing between different longitudinal modes is the main broadening mechanism in the one-stage RFL at high powers. The shape and power dependence of the intracavity Stokes wave spectrum are in excellent quantitative agreement with predictions of the theory.