Abstract:
Techniques for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided in which each nonlinear crystal in an array of such crystals is coupled to one or more corresponding waveguides such that any THz radiation generated in any single crystal is coupled into that crystal's THz waveguide structure. After the THz radiation is generated in the crystals and coupled into the waveguides, the individual THz signals may be coherently combined to form a single THz signal (non-coherent configurations are provided as well). Crystal-waveguide arrays embodying the techniques can be used to implement efficient, robust, and compact THz sources suitable for applications such as security screening, medical imaging, quality control and process monitoring in manufacturing operations, and package and container inspection.
Abstract:
The laser includes a resonant cavity formed between a first mirror and a second mirror. An unsensitized Erbium-doped crystal gain medium for producing laser gain is disposed within the resonant cavity. A saturable absorber is disposed within the resonant cavity. A pump source is positioned to energize the gain medium. The saturable absorber, the laser gain, the resonator length, and the second mirror being selected so that output pulses having a duration of less than 75 nanoseconds are generated by the laser.
Abstract:
The laser includes a resonant cavity formed between a first mirror and a second mirror. An unsensitized Erbium-doped crystal gain medium for producing laser gain is disposed within the resonant cavity. A saturable absorber is disposed within the resonant cavity. A pump source is positioned to energize the gain medium. The saturable absorber, the laser gain, the resonator length, and the second mirror being selected so that output pulses having a duration of less than 75 nanoseconds are generated by the laser.
Abstract:
A system and method for efficiently combining multiple laser beams into a single frequency by invoking stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a dual core optical fiber is disclosed. The method and apparatus essentially becomes a brightness converter for the input laser beams. An SBS seed is generated in a long length of fiber or by a diode and is launched into the back-end of the SBS combining optical fiber. Various single-frequency pump beams are launched into the front-end of the same fiber. The seed acts to lower a threshold for SBS in the fiber, thus invoking the nonlinearity. Provided the various pump beams are close in frequency and seed/pump modes overlap, each acts to amplify the seed through the nonlinear SBS process, providing an output signal which is brighter than the combined pump beams.
Abstract:
Techniques for generating terahertz (THz) radiation are provided in which each nonlinear crystal in an array of such crystals is coupled to one or more corresponding waveguides such that any THz radiation generated in any single crystal is coupled into that crystal's THz waveguide structure. After the THz radiation is generated in the crystals and coupled into the waveguides, the individual THz signals may be coherently combined to form a single THz signal (non-coherent configurations are provided as well). Crystal-waveguide arrays embodying the techniques can be used to implement efficient, robust, and compact THz sources suitable for applications such as security screening, medical imaging, quality control and process monitoring in manufacturing operations, and package and container inspection.