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Abstract
In recent years there have been several reports describing self-modelocking (SML) in vertical-external-cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VECSELs). Some of these reports have suggested that the behaviour that has been observed results from nonlinear lensing in the VECSEL gain sample in a manner analogous to Kerr lens modelocking in solid state lasers. However to date none of the groups that have reported SML in VECSELs have performed measurements to ascertain whether nonlinear lensing occurs in the gain sample. Measurements of nonlinear lenses in VECSEL gain samples are therefore of value not only in order to understand the behaviour observed in the reports of SML, but also as a potentially crucial design tool for any mode-locked VECSEL, regardless of the modelocking method used. In a previous publication we described measurements which demonstrated that a defocusing nonlinear lens was present in an unpumped VECSEL gain sample, and that the inverse focal length of the lens increased with pump power, to the point of becoming a focusing lens for sufficiently high pump powers. Unfortunately, by necessity this measurement was performed using a probe laser which was not resonant with the quantum wells in the sample, meaning that the values measured may well be different from those experienced under operating conditions in a VECSEL. This paper describes a more complete characterisation of VECSEL gain sample nonlinear lensing with a probe laser whose wavelength is resonant with the gain sample quantum wells.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) VI |
Editors | Keith G. Wilcox |
Place of Publication | San Francisco |
Publisher | SPIE-International Society for Optical Engineering |
Volume | 9734 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781628419696 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Mar 2016 |
Event | SPIE Photonics West 2016: Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) VI - The Moscone Center, San Francisco, United States Duration: 15 Feb 2016 → 16 Feb 2016 http://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/past-conferences-and-exhibitions/photonics-west-2016 (Link to Conference details) |
Conference
Conference | SPIE Photonics West 2016 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | San Francisco |
Period | 15/02/16 → 16/02/16 |
Internet address |
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Keywords
- nonlinear lensing
- semiconductor lasers
- VECSELs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computer Science Applications
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Applied Mathematics
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Dive into the research topics of 'Resonant measurements of nonlinear lensing in a VECSEL gain sample'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Tuneable Gigahertz Mode Spaced Frequency Combs (Fellowship)
Wilcox, K. (Investigator)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/10/13 → 28/02/18
Project: Research