Open AccessIntrinsically stable high-power single longitudinal mode laser using spatial hole burning free gain
Author(s) -
Oliver Lux,
Soumya Sarang,
Ondřej Kitzler,
David J. Spence,
Richard P. Mildren
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.074
H-Index - 107
ISSN - 2334-2536
DOI - 10.1364/optica.3.000876
Subject(s) - longitudinal mode , mode (computer interface) , laser , power (physics) , optics , materials science , laser power scaling , environmental science , physics , optoelectronics , computer science , quantum mechanics , operating system
A fundamental advantage of lasers is their ability to produce a large number of photons in a single optical mode, yet this is achieved in only a minor fraction of devices due to the instability mechanism called spatial hole burning. Here, we exploit the spatial hole burning free nature of a stimulated scattering gain medium to demonstrate single longitudinal mode (SLM) operation in a generic standing wave cavity. A continuous wave diamond Raman oscillator with multi-Watt-level output power and a frequency stability of 80 MHz is demonstrated without use of additional modeselective elements. Mode stability is addressed by considering the coupling of the Stokes power with thermally induced optical path length changes in the gain medium. The results foreshadow a novel approach for greatly extending the power and wavelength range of SLM laser sources, and with potential advantages for achieving sub-Poissonian intensity noise and sub-Schawlow–Townes linewidths.6 page(s