Open AccessPolarization bistability associated with ^4F_3/2→^4I_11/2 and ^4F_3/2→^4I_13/2 transitions in Nd:YVO_4 laser with intra-cavity periodically poled lithium niobate Bragg modulator
Author(s) -
Kun Guei Hong,
Shao Chieh Lin,
Ming Wei
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.017979
Subject(s) - lithium niobate , materials science , optics , bistability , laser , polarization (electrochemistry) , wavelength , nonlinear optics , optoelectronics , physics , chemistry
We experimentally demonstrate polarization bistability in a dual-wavelength Nd:YVO4 laser at 1064 nm (4F3/2→4I11/2) and 1342 nm (4F3/2→4I13/2) by using an intra-cavity electro-optic periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) Bragg modulator to control the loss at 1064 nm. An inverse hysteresis switch was observed between 1064 nm and 1342 nm lasers with orthogonal polarizations by increasing and reducing the loss induced by the PPLN. The size of the hysteresis increased with increasing pump power. This paper provides an explanation based on cross-gain saturation for this bistable behavior of polarization.