Use of ZnS as a self-focusing element in a self-starting Kerr lens modelocked Ti:sapphire laser

Gary Whiton Pearson; Czeslaw Radzewicz; Jerzy S. Krasinski

doi:10.1117/12.175841

16 May 1994 Use of ZnS as a self-focusing element in a self-starting Kerr lens modelocked Ti:sapphire laser

Gary Whiton Pearson, Czeslaw Radzewicz, Jerzy S. Krasinski

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2116, Generation, Amplification, and Measurement of Ultrashort Laser Pulses; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.175841
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

We studied the use of a highly nonlinear self-focusing element made of ZnS in an all solid- state self-starting Kerr lens modelocked Ti:sapphire laser. The results of our calculations show that the relationship between cavity losses and instantaneous intracavity power in such a laser is quite different than previously reported. The use of ZnS eliminates the need for saturable dyes or cavity modulation to initiate self-modelocked operation. We show experimentally that the pump power threshold for self-modelocking of a Ti:sapphire KLM laser can be significantly reduced by the use of a highly nonlinear intracavity element made of ZnS. Modelocking in the laser tested, which produced pulses with duration adjustable from 5 ps to 50 fs, was self-starting by Kerr lens mechanism alone. Because of the broad nonlinear response of ZnS the method is wavelength insensitive unlike quantum well saturable absorber/mirror designs.

Citation Download Citation

Gary Whiton Pearson, Czeslaw Radzewicz, and Jerzy S. Krasinski "Use of ZnS as a self-focusing element in a self-starting Kerr lens modelocked Ti:sapphire laser", Proc. SPIE 2116, Generation, Amplification, and Measurement of Ultrashort Laser Pulses, (16 May 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.175841

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