Active stabilization of quasi-CW passively modelocked Nd:based lasers using closed-loop feedback

Gareth J. Valentine; Erwin A. Bente; David Burns; Allister I. Ferguson

doi:10.1117/12.517923

6 October 2003 Active stabilization of quasi-CW passively modelocked Nd:based lasers using closed-loop feedback

Gareth J. Valentine, Erwin A. Bente, David Burns, Allister I. Ferguson

Proceedings Volume 5137, International Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies 2002: Advanced Lasers and Systems; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.517923
Event: International Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies 2002, 2002, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

The technique of operating picosecond modelocked laser systems quasi-CW is presented. Higher modelocked output power results at the expense of reduced effective pulse repetition rate. Passively modelocked quasi-CW lasers at 1.0 and 1.3 μm with high 'on-time' powers (~65W) are described. Active stabilization of these systems is demonstrated via negative feedback using an intracavity loss modulator. Stabilization suppresses relaxation-oscillation driven spiking on reaching threshold and prevents Q-switching of the laser caused by the presence of a saturable absorber for modelocking. In this way, the usable parameter range of a saturable absorber for stable CW modelocking is extended such that stable Q-switch free modelocking of a quasi-CW laser with pulse repetition rates over 900MHz, is possible. Numerical modeling confirms the flexible nature of stabilization via negative feedback applied to unstable laser systems incorporating saturable absorbers.

Citation Download Citation

Gareth J. Valentine, Erwin A. Bente, David Burns, and Allister I. Ferguson "Active stabilization of quasi-CW passively modelocked Nd:based lasers using closed-loop feedback", Proc. SPIE 5137, International Conference on Lasers, Applications, and Technologies 2002: Advanced Lasers and Systems, (6 October 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.517923

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