High-power, single-frequency intracavity doubled VECSEL at 589 nm for sodium guide stars

Gregory J. Fetzer; Juan Chilla; Steven E. Rako; Cory Baumgarten; Nathan Woody; Celine D'Orgeville

doi:10.1117/12.2612400

4 March 2022 High-power, single-frequency intracavity doubled VECSEL at 589 nm for sodium guide stars

Gregory J. Fetzer, Juan Chilla, Steven E. Rako, Cory Baumgarten, Nathan Woody, Celine D'Orgeville

Proceedings Volume 11984, Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) XI; 1198407 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2612400
Event: SPIE LASE, 2022, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Sodium Guidestar Lasers (SGLs) are an important element of adaptive-optics (AO) image correction techniques for astronomical observatories. In recent years, the astronomy community has employed Raman shifted fiber lasers to meet the need. However, emerging applications would greatly benefit by a reduction in the cost per Watt of on-sky power and the Size Weight and Power (SWAP) required by the laser. Small (meter-class) observatories seek to incorporate AO systems to meet space situational awareness and free space laser communication applications. Simultaneously, large (10 meter class) observatories require larger numbers of lasers on-sky to implement multi-conjugate AO systems. Optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSLs), also referred to as Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs), represent a technology pathway to realizing Sodium Guidestar Lasers (SGL)s with high performance, compact size, high reliability, and low acquisition and maintenance costs. In pursuit of the next generation of SGL, we demonstrate <15W of single-frequency power at 589 nm based on in intracavity frequency doubling of 1178 nm fundamental wavelength VECSEL. Our work characterizes laser performance with an emphasis on suitability for guidestar laser applications. We examine, wavelength stability, linewidth, tuning and tuning agility and the ability to lock the laser to the sodium transition. In addition, we demonstrate simultaneous generation collinear beams with a frequency spacing of approximately 1.7 GHz.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Gregory J. Fetzer, Juan Chilla, Steven E. Rako, Cory Baumgarten, Nathan Woody, and Celine D'Orgeville "High-power, single-frequency intracavity doubled VECSEL at 589 nm for sodium guide stars", Proc. SPIE 11984, Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) XI, 1198407 (4 March 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2612400

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available