Abstract
A single-shot and synchronously-scanned streak camera, autocorrelation and noise spectrum analysing techniques are utilized to study the output characteristics of synchronously mode-locked cw lasers. Four main conclusions are drawn: (i) the pulse train from a synchronously-pumped dye laser reveals, besides phase jitter, considerable pulse shape fluctuations; (ii) autocorrelation measurements may be highly misleading when actual pulse shapes are considered; (iii) both the phase jitter and pulse shape fluctuations of the dye laser output are caused by the phase fluctuations of the pumping ion laser pulse train; (iv) the phase jitter of the ion laser proceeds from the fluctuations in the cavity roundtrip time with a characteristic time of about 5 μs. Under optimum conditions the rms noise of the dye laser output was 2% and the phase jitter with respect to the rf sine drive of the acousto-optical mode-locker, ∼30 ps. A qualitative explanation fo the noise properties is given.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
A.I. Ferguson, J.N. Eckstein, T.W. Hänsch: J. Appl. Phys.49, 5389 (1978)
R.K. Jain, C.P. Auschnitt: Opt. Lett.2, 117 (1978)
S.R. Rotman, C.B. Roxlo, D. Bebelaar, M.M. Salour: Appl. Phys. Lett.36, 886 (1980)
J.P. Ryan, L.S. Goldberg, D.J. Bradley: Opt. Commun.27, 127 (1978)
B. Couillaud, A. Ducasse, L. Sarger, D. Bosher: Appl. Phys. Lett.36, 1 (1980)
H. Klann, J. Kuhl, D. von der Linde: Opt. Commun.38, 390 (1981)
A.I. Ferguson, R.A. Taylor: Opt. Commun.41, 271 (1982)
E.W. Stryland: Opt. Commun.31, 92 (1979)
D.M. McDonald, J.L. Rossel, G.R. Fleming: IEEE J. QE-17, 1134 (1981)
A.O. Anijalg, E.B. Berik, A.A. Vill, P.L. Kukk, V.T. Mihkelsoo, P.M. Saari, A.M. Freiberg, K.E. Timpmann: Proc. 2nd Soviet-France Symposium of Construction of Optical Apparatus (Moscow, 16–21 March 1981) p. 13
S.L. Shapiro, R.R. Cavanagh, J.C. Stephenson: Opt. Lett.6, 470 (1981)
D.P. Millar, A.H. Zewail: Chem. Phys.72, 381 (1982)
C. Kalpuozos, G.A. Kenney-Wallace, P.M. Kroger, E. Quitevis, S.C. Wallace: InPicosecond Phenomena III, ed. by K.B. Eisenthal, R.M. Hochstrasser, W. Kaiser, A. Laubereau, Springer Ser. Chem. Phys.23 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 1982) p. 221
M.C. Adams, W. Sibbett, D.J. Bradley: Opt. Commun.26, 273 (1978)
A. Freiberg, A. Raidaru, A. Anijalg, K. Timpmann, P. Kukk, P. Saari: Eesti NSV Tead. Akad. Toim. Füüs. Matem.29, 187 (1980)
P.G. May, W. Sibbett, K. Smith, J.R. Taylor, J.P. Willson: Opt. Commun.42, 285 (1982)
A.O. Anijalg, K.E. Timpmann, A.M. Freiberg: Pis'ma Zhurn. Tekh. Fiz.8, 1461 (1982)
J. Aaviksoo, A. Freiberg, S. Savikhin, G.F. Stelmakh, M.P. Tsvirko: Chem. Phys. Lett.111, 275 (1984)
W. Sibbett, W.E. Sleat, J.R. Taylor: InPicosecond Chemistry and Biology (Science Reviews, Northwood, Middlesex, 1984) p. 197
J. Aaviksoo, A. Anijalg, A. Freiberg, Ü. Mets, P. Saari, K. Timpmann: Techn. Digest of the Intern. Conf. Lasers '81 (New Orleans, 14–18 Dec. 1981) p. 97
J. Kluge, D. Wiechert, D. von der Linde: Opt. Commun.51, 271 (1984)
J. Hermann, U. Motschmann: Opt. Commun.40, 379 (1982)
J. Kluge, D. Wiechert, D. von der Linde: Opt. Commun.45, 278 (1983)
H.A. Pike, M. Hershel: J. Appl. Phys.41, 4562 (1970)
V. Sundström, T. Gillbro: Appl. Phys.24, 233 (1981)
R.K. Jain, J.P. Heritage: Appl. Phys. Lett.32, 41 (1978)
N.J. Frigo, T. Daly, H. Mahr: IEEE J. QE-13, 101 (1977)
D.M. Kim, J. Kuhl, R. Lambrich, D. von der Linde: Opt. Commun.27, 123 (1978)
O.P. McDuff, S.E. Harris: IEEE J. QE-3, 101 (1967)
W.E. Lamb: Phys. Rev.134, A1429 (1964)
J. Aaviksoo: Proc. ESSR Acad. Sc. Phys. Math. (to be published)