- •Preface
- •Contents
- •1.1 Fundamentals of the semiclassical laser theory
- •1.1.1 The laser oscillator
- •1.1.2.2 Homogeneous, isotropic, linear dielectrics
- •1.1.2.2.1 The plane wave
- •1.1.2.2.2 The spherical wave
- •1.1.2.2.3 The slowly varying envelope (SVE) approximation
- •1.1.2.3 Propagation in doped media
- •1.1.3 Interaction with two-level systems
- •1.1.3.1 The two-level system
- •1.1.3.2 The dipole approximation
- •1.1.3.2.1 Inversion density and polarization
- •1.1.3.3.1 Decay time T1 of the upper level (energy relaxation)
- •1.1.3.3.1.1 Spontaneous emission
- •1.1.3.3.1.2 Interaction with the host material
- •1.1.3.3.1.3 Pumping process
- •1.1.3.3.2 Decay time T2 of the polarization (entropy relaxation)
- •1.1.4 Steady-state solutions
- •1.1.4.1 Inversion density and polarization
- •1.1.4.2 Small-signal solutions
- •1.1.4.3 Strong-signal solutions
- •1.1.5 Adiabatic equations
- •1.1.5.1 Rate equations
- •1.1.5.2 Thermodynamic considerations
- •1.1.5.3 Pumping schemes and complete rate equations
- •1.1.5.3.1 The three-level system
- •1.1.5.3.2 The four-level system
- •1.1.5.5 Rate equations for steady-state laser oscillators
- •1.1.6 Line shape and line broadening
- •1.1.6.1 Normalized shape functions
- •1.1.6.1.1 Lorentzian line shape
- •1.1.6.1.2 Gaussian line shape
- •1.1.6.1.3 Normalization of line shapes
- •1.1.6.2 Mechanisms of line broadening
- •1.1.6.2.1 Spontaneous emission
- •1.1.6.2.2 Doppler broadening
- •1.1.6.2.3 Collision or pressure broadening
- •1.1.6.2.4 Saturation broadening
- •1.1.6.3 Types of broadening
- •1.1.6.3.1 Homogeneous broadening
- •1.1.6.3.2 Inhomogeneous broadening
- •1.1.6.4 Time constants
- •1.1.7 Coherent interaction
- •1.1.7.1 The Feynman representation of interaction
- •1.1.7.3 Propagation of resonant coherent pulses
- •1.1.7.3.2 Superradiance
- •1.1.8 Notations
- •References for 1.1
- •2.1.1 Introduction
- •2.1.3 Radiometric standards
- •2.1.3.1 Primary standards
- •2.1.3.2 Secondary standards
- •References for 2.1
- •2.2 Beam characterization
- •2.2.1 Introduction
- •2.2.2 The Wigner distribution
- •2.2.3 The second-order moments of the Wigner distribution
- •2.2.4 The second-order moments and related physical properties
- •2.2.4.3 Phase paraboloid and twist
- •2.2.4.4 Invariants
- •2.2.4.5 Propagation of beam widths and beam propagation ratios
- •2.2.5.1 Stigmatic beams
- •2.2.5.2 Simple astigmatic beams
- •2.2.5.3 General astigmatic beams
- •2.2.5.4 Pseudo-symmetric beams
- •2.2.5.5 Intrinsic astigmatism and beam conversion
- •2.2.6 Measurement procedures
- •2.2.7 Beam positional stability
- •References for 2.2
- •3 Linear optics
- •3.1 Linear optics
- •3.1.1 Wave equations
- •3.1.2 Polarization
- •3.1.3 Solutions of the wave equation in free space
- •3.1.3.1 Wave equation
- •3.1.3.1.1 Monochromatic plane wave
- •3.1.3.1.2 Cylindrical vector wave
- •3.1.3.1.3 Spherical vector wave
- •3.1.3.2 Helmholtz equation
- •3.1.3.2.1 Plane wave
- •3.1.3.2.2 Cylindrical wave
- •3.1.3.2.3 Spherical wave
- •3.1.3.2.4.2 Real Bessel beams
- •3.1.3.2.4.3 Vectorial Bessel beams
- •3.1.3.3 Solutions of the slowly varying envelope equation
- •3.1.3.3.1 Gauss-Hermite beams (rectangular symmetry)
- •3.1.3.3.2 Gauss-Laguerre beams (circular symmetry)
- •3.1.3.3.3 Cross-sectional shapes of the Gaussian modes
- •3.1.4.4.2 Circular aperture with radius a
- •3.1.4.4.2.1 Applications
- •3.1.4.4.3 Gratings
- •3.1.5 Optical materials
- •3.1.5.1 Dielectric media
- •3.1.5.2 Optical glasses
- •3.1.5.3 Dispersion characteristics for short-pulse propagation
- •3.1.5.4 Optics of metals and semiconductors
- •3.1.5.6 Special cases of refraction
- •3.1.5.6.2 Variation of the angle of incidence
- •3.1.5.7 Crystal optics
- •3.1.5.7.2 Birefringence (example: uniaxial crystals)
- •3.1.5.8 Photonic crystals
- •3.1.5.9 Negative-refractive-index materials
- •3.1.5.10 References to data of linear optics
- •3.1.6 Geometrical optics
- •3.1.6.1 Gaussian imaging (paraxial range)
- •3.1.6.1.1 Single spherical interface
- •3.1.6.1.2 Imaging with a thick lens
- •3.1.6.2.1 Simple interfaces and optical elements with rotational symmetry
- •3.1.6.2.2 Non-symmetrical optical systems
- •3.1.6.2.3 Properties of a system
- •3.1.6.2.4 General parabolic systems without rotational symmetry
- •3.1.6.2.5 General astigmatic system
- •3.1.6.2.6 Symplectic optical system
- •3.1.6.2.7 Misalignments
- •3.1.6.3 Lens aberrations
- •3.1.7 Beam propagation in optical systems
- •3.1.7.2.1 Stigmatic and simple astigmatic beams
- •3.1.7.2.1.1 Fundamental Mode
- •3.1.7.2.1.2 Higher-order Hermite-Gaussian beams in simple astigmatic beams
- •3.1.7.2.2 General astigmatic beam
- •3.1.7.3 Waist transformation
- •3.1.7.3.1 General system (fundamental mode)
- •3.1.7.3.2 Thin lens (fundamental mode)
- •3.1.7.4 Collins integral
- •3.1.7.4.1 Two-dimensional propagation
- •3.1.7.4.2 Three-dimensional propagation
- •3.1.7.5 Gaussian beams in optical systems with stops, aberrations, and waveguide coupling
- •3.1.7.5.1 Field distributions in the waist region of Gaussian beams including stops and wave aberrations by optical system
- •3.1.7.5.2 Mode matching for beam coupling into waveguides
- •3.1.7.5.3 Free-space coupling of Gaussian modes
- •References for 3.1
- •4.1 Frequency conversion in crystals
- •4.1.1 Introduction
- •4.1.1.1 Symbols and abbreviations
- •4.1.1.1.1 Symbols
- •4.1.1.1.2 Abbreviations
- •4.1.1.1.3 Crystals
- •4.1.1.2 Historical layout
- •4.1.2 Fundamentals
- •4.1.2.1 Three-wave interactions
- •4.1.2.2 Uniaxial crystals
- •4.1.2.3 Biaxial crystals
- •4.1.2.5.1 General approach
- •4.1.3 Selection of data
- •4.1.5 Sum frequency generation
- •4.1.7 Optical parametric oscillation
- •4.1.8 Picosecond continuum generation
- •References for 4.1
- •4.2 Frequency conversion in gases and liquids
- •4.2.1 Fundamentals of nonlinear optics in gases and liquids
- •4.2.1.1 Linear and nonlinear susceptibilities
- •4.2.1.2 Third-order nonlinear susceptibilities
- •4.2.1.3 Fundamental equations of nonlinear optics
- •4.2.1.4 Small-signal limit
- •4.2.1.5 Phase-matching condition
- •4.2.2 Frequency conversion in gases
- •4.2.2.1 Metal-vapor inert gas mixtures
- •4.2.2.3 Mixtures of gaseous media
- •References for 4.2
- •4.3 Stimulated scattering
- •4.3.1 Introduction
- •4.3.1.1 Spontaneous scattering processes
- •4.3.1.2 Relationship between stimulated Stokes scattering and spontaneous scattering
- •4.3.2 General properties of stimulated scattering
- •4.3.2.1 Exponential gain by stimulated Stokes scattering
- •4.3.2.2 Experimental observation
- •4.3.2.2.1 Generator setup
- •4.3.2.2.2 Oscillator setup
- •4.3.2.3 Four-wave interactions
- •4.3.2.3.1 Third-order nonlinear susceptibility
- •4.3.2.3.3 Higher-order Stokes and anti-Stokes emission
- •4.3.2.4 Transient stimulated scattering
- •4.3.3 Individual scattering processes
- •4.3.3.1 Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS)
- •4.3.3.2 Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated thermal Brillouin scattering (STBS)
- •4.3.3.3 Stimulated Rayleigh scattering processes, SRLS, STRS, and SRWS
- •References for 4.3
- •4.4 Phase conjugation
- •4.4.1 Introduction
- •4.4.2 Basic mathematical description
- •4.4.3 Phase conjugation by degenerate four-wave mixing
- •4.4.4 Self-pumped phase conjugation
- •4.4.5 Applications of SBS phase conjugation
- •4.4.6 Photorefraction
- •References for 4.4
Ref. p. 40] |
1.1 Fundamentals of the semiclassical laser theory |
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Steady-state equations |
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∂∆n |
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The temporal variations of the radiation field are slow |
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compared with T1. |
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Adiabatic equations |
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no transient e ects of the atom, T2 T1. |
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Coherent equations |
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The width τ of the interacting pulses is short compared |
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with T1, T2; (1.1.45a), (1.1.45b) can be applied. |
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1.1.4 Steady-state solutions
In steady state inversion density ∆n0, polarization P A0, and intensity J of the field are constant in time, but may depend on the spatial coordinates.
1.1.4.1 Inversion density and polarization
The stationary solutions of (1.1.48a), (1.1.48b) are obtained immediately:
∆n = |
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∆n0 |
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(inversion density, homogeneously broadened), |
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1 + (J/Js) f (ω) |
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A |
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k0 |
∆ωA/2 |
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χ |
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nrσ |
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ω − ωA |
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∆n (susceptibility), |
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P A0 = ε0χAE0 |
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with |
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J = |
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Js = |
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ωA |
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2σ0T1 |
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σ = σ0f (ω, ωA) |
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σ0 = |
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ε0c0nr |
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fL(ω, ωA) = |
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∆ωA = 2/T2 (line width of the transition),
(1.1.49)
(1.1.50)
(1.1.51)
(1.1.52)
(1.1.53)
(1.1.54)
(1.1.55)
(1.1.56)
(1.1.57)
Landolt-B¨ornstein
New Series VIII/1A1
18 |
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1.1.4 Steady-state solutions |
[Ref. p. 40 |
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gh(ω, ωA) = ∆ n σ = |
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(gain coe cient, homogeneously |
(1.1.58a) |
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broadened), |
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inh |
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h(ω, ω |
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∆ωA |
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broadened, see Sect. 1.1.6.3). |
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In Table 1.1.3 some numbers of relevant laser transitions are compiled, in Table 1.1.4 some typical values of the small-signal gain coe cient in resonance are given. The susceptibility strongly depends on the frequency as shown in Fig. 1.1.6. According to (1.1.26) the real part of χA produces an additional refractive index, and the imaginary part absorption or amplification:
A |
r − |
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Re χ |
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∆n , |
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Im χA = −nrαk0 = |
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The steady-state propagation of the electric field is obtained from (1.1.48c):
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ω − ωA |
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where ∆ n is a function of the field or the intensity.
(1.1.59a)
(1.1.59b)
(1.1.60)
Table 1.1.3. Examples of resonance wavelength λ0, resonance cross section σ0, upper-level lifetime T1 and saturation intensity Js. The simple relation (1.1.53) for the saturation intensity holds for two-level systems only and is not applicable in general [01Men].
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σ0 |
T1 |
Js |
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[µm] |
[m2] |
[s] |
[W/m2] |
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Amplifiers |
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10−20 |
10−5 |
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× 105 |
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CO2-gas (1300 Pa) |
10.6 |
2 |
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Neodymium-ion in glass |
1.06 |
4 × 10−24 |
3 |
× 10−4 |
8 . . . 12 × 107 |
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Neodymium-ion in YAG |
1.06 |
5 × 10−23 |
2 |
× 10−4 |
2 |
× 107 |
Chromium-ion in Al2O3 |
0.69 |
2 × 10−24 |
3 |
× 10−3 |
2.4 × 107 |
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(ruby, T = 300 K) |
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3 × 10−17 |
10−8 |
5.3 × 105 |
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Neon (25 Pa) |
0.63 |
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Rhodamine 6G in ethanol |
0.57 |
4 × 10−20 |
5 |
× 10−9 |
109 |
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Absorbers |
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8 × 10−22 |
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× 10−4 |
2.5 × 105 |
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SF6 |
10.6 |
4 |
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KODAK dye 9860 |
1.06 |
4 × 10−20 |
10−11 |
5.6 × 1011 |
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KODAK dye 9740 |
1.06 |
6 × 10−20 |
10−11 |
4 |
× 1011 |
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Cryptocyanine-dye |
0.7 |
5 × 10−20 |
5 |
× 10−10 |
2 |
× 1010 |
in methanol
Table 1.1.4. Typical values of the small-signal gain coe cient g0 = ∆n0σ0 in resonance. The exact values depend on pumping, doping, and other parameters of operation [01Men].
System |
λ0 [nm] |
g0 [m−1] |
He/Ne laser |
632.8 |
0.1 |
Nd-doped glass |
1060 |
5 |
Nd-doped YAG |
1060 |
50 |
GaAs-diode |
880 |
4 × 103 |
Landolt-B¨ornstein
New Series VIII/1A1
Ref. p. 40] |
1.1 Fundamentals of the semiclassical laser theory |
19 |
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,Pχ$ JDLQ
∆ω$
5H χ$ SKDVH VKLIW
ω $ |
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Fig. 1.1.6. Real and imaginary part of |
)UHTXHQF\ω |
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the susceptibility vs. frequency. |
1.1.4.2 Small-signal solutions
The solutions for low intensities are discussed. Low means that the intensity J is small compared with the characteristic parameter Js of the system (see Table 1.1.3).
At low intensities J Js, the inversion density is not a ected by the intensity,
∆n = ∆n0 ,
and (1.1.60) can be integrated. Together with (1.1.23), the complete field is obtained:
E(z) = E0(0) exp[i(ωt − ntk0z) − |
1 |
(α − ∆n0σ)z] |
(1.1.61) |
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with a total refractive index nt |
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nrk0 |
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∆ωA |
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ω − ωA |
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(1.1.62) |
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The active atoms of the two-level system cause an additional phase shift or refractive index and an additional absorption or amplification, depending on the sign of ∆n0. The small-signal gain factor according to (1.1.30)/(1.1.50) is:
G0 = exp[σ(ω)∆n0z] . |
(1.1.63) |
Amplification, G0 > 1, requires inversion ∆n0 > 0. The complex amplitude transmission factor A is defined as the ratio of the monochromatic field amplitudes and can be written:
A = E0(0) |
= exp i |
2 |
(ω − ωA) + i ∆ωA/2 |
z . |
(1.1.64) |
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E0(z) |
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σ0∆n0 |
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It depends on the frequency of the field, which means dispersion. Time-dependent fields and especially short pulses are distorted by the amplifying system, pulse broadening and chirping occur.
1.1.4.3 Strong-signal solutions
The steady-state solutions are discussed for intensities which saturate the inversion, see Fig. 1.1.7.
The inversion now depends on the intensity. For the propagation of the intensity, (1.1.48c) gives in steady state
Landolt-B¨ornstein
New Series VIII/1A1
