Pulse control of frequency and width for a real-time independently adjustable laser source

Abstract

A set of semiconductor laser pulse seed sources based on an embedded chip is proposed. The greatest feature is that the optical pulse frequency and width can be independently adjusted in real time. The pulse seed sources can be switched independently and online from the gain-switched mode to the quasi-continuous wave mode to obtain optimal optical parameters for specific applications. To explore the physical mechanism of the semiconductor laser source, the rate equation that describes the carrier-photon transient change in a semiconductor laser cavity is numerically derived and solved. Subsequently, problems that need to be considered while designing the drive circuit are identified. The system evaluation indicates that the optical pulse frequency adjustment range is 250 Hz to 42 MHz, and the narrowest optical pulse output width is 80 ps. The pulse seed source can drive semiconductor lasers with different central wavelengths (1064, 1550, and 1970 nm), and can also simultaneously drive two semiconductor lasers and output dual-band optical pulses. It can be used as a seed source for general high-power optical systems, and exhibits good application value and extensive market prospects.

摘要

k]研制了一套基于嵌入式芯片的半导体激光器脉冲种子源, 光脉冲频率和脉宽能独立实时调节, 可在线从增益开关模式切换到准连续运行模式, 以实现特定应用所需最佳光参数。为探讨半导体激光光源物理机制, 对描述半导体激光腔内光子载流子瞬态变化的速率方程进行数值模拟与分析。之后, 确定在设计驱动电路时需要考虑的问题。系统性能评估结果表明, 光脉冲频率调节范围是250 Hz至42 MHz, 光脉冲输出最窄脉宽为80 ps。脉冲种子源可驱动不同中心波长(1064、1550和1970 nm)半导体激光器, 并可同时驱动两台半导体激光器, 输出双频光脉冲。该脉冲种子源可作为一般高功率光学系统种子源, 具有良好应用价值和广阔市场前景。