公开(公告)号：US20020034199A1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-21

申请号：US09956920

申请日：2001-09-21

Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Almantas Galvanauskas ,  Ka K. Wong ,  Donald J. Harter

IPC: H01S003/10

CPC classification number: G02F1/3137 ,  G01B9/02007 ,  G01B9/02014 ,  G01B9/02091 ,  G02F1/3132 ,  G02F1/335 ,  G02F1/395 ,  G02F2201/124 ,  H01S3/0057

Abstract: A multiple-wavelength ultrashort-pulse laser system includes a laser generator producing ultrashort pulses at a fixed wavelength, and at least one and preferably a plurality of wavelength conversion channels. Preferably, a fiber laser system is used for generating single-wavelength, ultrashort pulses. An optical split switch matrix directs the pulses from the laser generator into at least one of the wavelength conversion channels. An optical combining switch matrix is disposed downstream of the wavelength-conversion channels and combines outputs from separate wavelength-conversion channels into a single output channel. Preferably, waveguides formed in a ferroelectric substrate by titanium indiffusion (TI) and/or proton exchange (PE) form the wavelength conversion channels and the splitting and combining matrices. Use of the waveguide allows efficient optical parametric generation to occur in the wavelength-conversion channels at pulse energies achievable with a mode-locked laser source. The multiple-wavelength laser system can replace a plurality of different, single-wavelength laser systems. One particular application for the system is a multi-photon microscope, where the ability to select the ultrashort-signal wavelength of the laser source accommodates any single fluorescent dye or several fluorescent dyes simultaneously. In its simplest form, the system can be used to convert the laser wavelength to a more favorable wavelength For example, pulses generated at 1.55 nullm by a mode-locked erbium fiber laser can be converted to 1.3 nullm for use in optical coherence tomography or to 1.04-1.12 nullm for amplification by a Yterbium amplifier, allowing amplification of pulses which can be used in a display, printing or machining system.

Abstract translation: 多波长超短脉冲激光系统包括产生固定波长的超短脉冲的激光发生器和至少一个，优选多个波长转换通道。 优选地，光纤激光系统用于产生单波长超短脉冲。 光分路开关矩阵将来自激光发生器的脉冲引导到至少一个波长转换通道。 光学组合开关矩阵设置在波长转换通道的下游，并将来自分离的波长转换通道的输出组合成单个输出通道。 优选地，通过钛扩散（TI）和/或质子交换（PE）在铁电衬底中形成的波导形成波长转换通道和分离和组合矩阵。 波导的使用允许在波长转换通道中以在锁模激光源可实现的脉冲能量下发生有效的光参量产生。 多波长激光系统可以代替多个不同的单波长激光系统。 该系统的一个特殊应用是多光子显微镜，其中选择激光源的超短信号波长的能力同时容纳任何单一荧光染料或几种荧光染料。 在其最简单的形式中，该系统可用于将激光波长转换为更有利的波长例如，通过模式锁定铒光纤激光器在1.55mum处产生的脉冲可以转换为1.3μm，用于光学相干断层扫描或 1.04-1.12微米用于通过镱放大器进行放大，允许放大可用于显示，印刷或加工系统的脉冲。