Tunable Yb:KGW Laser, CW or Q-Switched, Enabled by Dual-Axis Tilt of an MOEMS Mirror

Abstract

The experimental proof-of-concept demonstration of an end-pumped Yb:KGW laser with tunable spectral and temporal output characteristics is reported. For the first time, tuning of both of these characteristics in a solid-state laser is achieved simultaneously using a single electrothermally actuated micro-opto-electromechanical systems (MOEMS) micromirror with controllable tilt angle in two dimensions. In a continuous-wave mode, a wavelength tuning range of 22 nm with <0.3 nm linewidth was achieved by using static MOEMS mirror tilt about one axis to select the intracavity wavelength dispersed by a prism. A wavelength tuning range of 15.3 nm with <1.1 nm linewidth was achieved in Q-switched operation, by using simultaneous static tilt and resonant scanning of the MOEMS mirror about orthogonal axes. In this operational mode, a pulse repetition rate of 2.06 kHz was obtained with pulse durations varying from 460 to 740 ns over the addressable range of laser wavelengths.

Advances in Development of MOEMS Devices: A Review

“…Paterson A. [29] experimentally demonstrated wavelength tunable end-pumped Yb: KGW laser with simultaneous Q-switching using a single MOEMS mirror. He found that continuous tuning range of 22 nm and 15.3 nm was achieved under continuous-wave (CW) and Q-switched operation respectively for an end-pumped Yb: KGW laser.…”

MEMS Gas Flow Sensor Based on Thermally Induced Cantilever Resonance Frequency Shift

“…In this paper, we report a frequency output MEMS based gas flow sensor that uses a combination of piezoelectric actuation and electrothermal heating to operate in a heated resonating configuration. The sensor design employs a triple-beam cantilever, which is adapted from an electrothermal actuator design used as a component in optical MEMS devices that have been employed for imaging [17] and laser control purposes [18]. The sensor uses thermally-induced changes of the resonance frequency of the silicon triple-beam cantilever structure to measure gas flow.…”

Thermal dynamics of 2-axis electrothermal MEMS micromirrors

“…Scanners with high angular range and improved resonance frequency have been demonstrated [3,4]. These have been integrated in applications ranging from laser engineering to biomedical imaging [5,6]. While thermal actuation has an inherently slower response than other techniques due to thermal time constants, the advantage of easy static tilt angle addressing and 2D operation makes them an interesting prospect for full random access imaging.…”