857 MHz repetition rate mode-locked semiconductor disk laser: fundamental and soliton bound states

Abstract

Mode-locked optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers (SDLs) are in strong demand for applications in bio-medical photonics, chemistry, space communications and non-linear optics. However, the wider spread of SDLs was constrained as they are operated in high repetition rates above 200 MHz due to short carrier lifetimes in the semiconductors. Here we demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that it is possible to overcome the limitation of fast carrier relaxation and show significant reduction of repetition rate down to 85.7 MHz by exploiting phase-amplitude coupling effect. In addition, a low repetition rate SDL serves as a test-bed for bound soliton state previously unknown for semiconductor devices. The breakthrough to sub-100 MHz repetition rate will open a whole new window of development opportunities.

Coherence and Incoherence in an Optical Comb

“…At 140 mA, there are three groups of modes, and the spectral shape is very reminiscent of bound states observed in Ref. [14]. (We note that in Ref.…”

Optically pumped VECSELs: review of technology and progress

“…In any case, mode-locked VECSELs at low repetition rates have received attention recently due to their potential applications, such as fluorescence lifetime imaging, photo-acoustic imaging, LIDAR, and applications that require high pulse energies (micromachining, laser ablation). For example, a repetition rate of 85.7 MHz was obtained utilizing the phase-amplitude coupling effect [406], while a repetition rate of 253 MHz was obtained by passing the modelocked pulse through the gain material multiple times in one cavity round-trip [65].…”

Class-A mode-locked lasers: Fundamental solutions

“…Recently, low repetition rate mode-locked semiconductor lasers with a sub 100 MHz frequency have been demonstrated using quantum dot Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror (SESAM) 14 , and Resonant Saturable Absorber Mirror (RSAM) 15 .…”