Tunable alexandrite laser for lidar systems
Yu.N. Panchenko1, A.V. Puchikin1, M.V. Andreev1, I.N. Konovalov1, E.V. Gorlov2
1Institute of High Current Electronics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
2V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
Keywords: alexandrite laser, dispersive resonator, coherent radiation, short pulse
Abstract
The development of laser technologies leads to high requirements for lasers being developed which generate narrow-band radiation with different wavelengths. In view of this, the importance of wavelength-tunable diode and vibronic lasers with broadband amplification circuits increases. The possibility of generating highly coherent radiation in a solid-state alexandrite laser using an original composite resonator which includes an additional external dispersive resonator has been demonstrated. The results of experimental studies of conditions for the generation of narrow-band (less than 20 pm) radiation in such a resonator with the possibility of smooth tuning of the lasing wavelength in the spectral range 740-780 nm are presented. Narrow-band lasing in an alexandrite laser with a radiation energy of 30 mJ and a pulse duration of 35 ns was demonstrated. The created compact narrow-band alexandrite laser can be an effective alternative to parametric oscillators (OPO) and Ti:Sapphire lasers in lidar systems operating in the spectral range 700-850 nm.
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