Date Awarded
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Applied Science
Advisor
William E Cooke
Abstract
A colliding pulse mode-locked (CPM) laser achieves sub-picosecond operation by synchronizing two counter-propagating pulse trains to form a standing wave in a thin absorber jet. When properly aligned, these lasers maintain mode-locking for more than 100 seconds (1010 pulses), but eventually cease mode-locking for short periods of time. This thesis examines the characteristics of these transient events, when CPM mode-locking ceases (dropout) and when it resumes (dropin). The dropout is an apparently rapid event, typically lasting no longer than 5 microseconds or less than 500 pulses. The dropin takes significantly longer time, often has structure, and has a clear power dependency. This thesis uses a variety of statistical methods to search for changes in the nonlinear dynamics prior to the apparent power output change of a dropout, but does not find consistent precursors. Moreover, this thesis uses a fluence mapping method to study ultrashort pulse generation process in a novel bistable medium model. The bistable medium model naturally incorporates various high order perturbations and provides a framework for dynamics study and pulse shape control in ultrafast lasers.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/s2-seye-r342
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Yang, Wei, "Characterization of transient behaviors in a colliding pulse mode-locked (CPM) laser" (2004). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1539623450.
https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/s2-seye-r342
