ISSN:
1572-9559
Keywords:
optical-switching
;
cavity-dumping
;
far-infrared laser
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Results are reported of cavity-dumping a submillimeter radiation high-Q, zig-zag optically-pumped resonator which utilizes a silicon optical switch photo-excited by a Nd∶YAG laser. Peak powers at 152 μm approaching 10 kW in temporally smooth pulses of 5 ns (FWHM) duration have been obtained at a pulse repetition rate of 12 Hz. The far-infrared laser radiation, as measured with a scanning metal-mesh Fabry-Perot interferometer and averaged over many pulses, is, upon deconvolution of the 125 MHz instrumental linewidth, found to oscillate in a predominantly single longitudinal mode of width 250 MHz. Theoretical investigations of the transient far-infrared reflectivity of the silicon optical switch predict a rise in the Brewster-angle reflectivity from 0% to nearly 80% in 1 ns, when activated by a Q-switched, frequency-doubled Nd∶YAG laser providing an incident energy density of 50 mJ/cm2 in a pulsewidth of 10 ns.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02282072
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