Mapping the dynamical regimes of a SESAM mode-locked VECSEL with a long cavity using time series analysis

Experimental characterization of quasiperiodic route to chaos in a VECSEL with SESAM

We analyze the temporal dynamics of an optically-pumped quantum well vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) with a Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror (SESAM) using the time series obtained when varying the pump power. We unveil the quasiperiodic route to chaos in the system by characterizing the Fourier spectra, the attractors in phase space, and the Lyapunov exponents for each temporal behavior observed: periodicity, quasiperiodicity, and chaos. Thus, we provide a complete description of this experimental observation of the route to chaos in a VECSEL-SESAM system.

High-peak-power optically pumped passively mode-locked semiconductor laser with minimal components

A high-peak-power sub-500-fs mode-locked optically pumped semiconductor laser is innovatively developed with only three components of a semiconductor gain chip, a semiconductor saturable absorber, and a focusing lens. The developed laser near the threshold pump power of 3.9 W can be operated with stable fundamental mode locking. The laser output can be naturally turned into the stable harmonic mode locking (HML) with the order gradually changing from 2nd to 8th by increasing the pump power from 4.0 W to 5.0 W. Due to the onset of the high-order transverse modes, the order of HML is fixed at 8th for a pump power greater than 5.0 W. For the HML with order less than 8th, the overall peak power and pulse width in the HML are approximately 0.36 kW and 550 fs, respectively. In the operation of 8th-order HML, the minimum pulse width and maximum peak power can reach 480 fs and 0.95 kW, respectively.

2m-distance external cavity VECSEL for wireless charging applications

We characterize laser generation in an ultralong air cavity (several meters in length) using an optical-pumped semiconductor gain chip for laser wireless charging applications. The study realizes laser generation in an external air cavity with a length of 200 cm, for the first time, and achieves a maximum output laser power of more than 86.3 mW. Furthermore, the laser oscillation can be maintained even when the output mirror of laser is off-axis within 1.6 cm. Thus, a long external cavity laser would ease the alignment between the laser beam and charging terminal, making it suitable for laser wireless charging applications.

Third Order Dispersion in Time-Delayed Systems

Time-delayed dynamical systems materialize in situations where distant, pointwise, nonlinear nodes exchange information that propagates at a finite speed. However, they are considered devoid of dispersive effects, which are known to play a leading role in pattern formation and wave dynamics. We show how dispersion may appear naturally in delayed systems and we exemplify our result by studying theoretically and experimentally the influence of third order dispersion in a system composed of coupled optical microcavities. Dispersion-induced pulse satellites emerge asymmetrically and destabilize the mode-locking regime.

Introduction to the Issue on Physics and Applications of Laser Dynamics (IS-PALD 2017)

In this paper, we introduce the Optics Express feature issue of the 7th International Symposium on Physics and Applications of Laser Dynamics (IS-PALD). This issue consists of expanded papers related to oral and poster presentations. Selected papers represent the best of IS-PALD 2017.