Experimental investigation of a novel microchip laser producing synchronized dual-frequency laser pulse with an 85 GHz interval

• Published in: Laser physics letters Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 15801 - 15805
• Main Authors: Hu, M, An, R D, Zhang, H, Huang, Q F, Ge, J H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 01.01.2013
• ISSN: 1612-2011; 1612-202X
• DOI: 10.1088/1612-2011/10/1/015801

A novel self-Q-switched microchip laser is introduced, which can produce synchronized dual-frequency laser pulse trains. By adopting a prepump mechanism, as well as shifting the gain curve and resonance wavelengths, the relative gains of π and σ polarization modes are adjusted, which offers an effective way to finely synchronize the laser pulses. By employing a 0.9 mm length monolithic cavity, a pair of synchronized pulse trains with a frequency separation of 85 GHz (0.32 nm) is achieved, which nearly approaches the gain bandwidth of the laser medium. Another separated cavity with a length of 2.8 mm operates in the same way for further investigation of microwave generation. A radiofrequency signal with frequency of 26.565 GHz is achieved by beat-noting of the synchronized laser pulse trains with 0.1 nm wavelength separation.