Continuous-wave broadband emitter based on a transition-metal-ion-doped waveguide

Abstract

We demonstrate the suitability of a simple continuous-wave-pumped transition-metal-ion-doped waveguide as a broadband light source in the wavelength region 600-1000 nm for interferometric applications. Spatially coherent (single mode in the confined direction), spectrally broadband (~130-nm FWHM) luminescence with output powers of several hundreds of microwatts is obtained from a Ti:sapphire planar waveguide with incident pump powers from an Ar-ion laser of up to 1 W. This result represents an increase in power by several orders of magnitude from previously reported simple broadband light sources in this wavelength range.

Ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography using a superluminescent light source

“…The use of planar or channel waveguide structures, which capture the fluorescence over a greater solid angle and integrate over a range of depths, should increase the efficiency of the fiber coupled fluorescence by more than an order of magnitude. 11,12 These results demonstrate that fluorescent light sources can be a viable alternative to femtosecond lasers for ultrahigh resolution OCT imaging.…”

Performance of ar/sup +/ -milled ti:sapphire rib waveguides as single transverse-mode broadband fluorescence sources

“…Lasing has so far been observed in PLD grown Nd:Gd Ga O [6], [7] and Ti:sapphire planar guides [8]. Recently, these Ti:sapphire waveguides have also demonstrated their suitability as broadband luminescence sources with a bandwidth that is applicable to the investigation of biotissue, and output powers sufficient to be considered for integration in existing OCT interferometric setups [9].…”

Sapphire and other dielectric waveguide devices

“…The latter methods have lead to the demonstration of broadband luminescent emitters [12], which show potential as light sources in optical coherence tomography [13], and planar [14], rib channel [15], and in-diffused channel [16] waveguide lasers.…”