3.4 μm mid-infrared pulse train laser based on stepped acousto-optic <i>Q</i>-switched external cavity pumped MgO: PPLN optical parametric oscillator

Abstract

3.4 μm mid-infrared pulse train laser generates the characteristic spectral lines of absorption peaks of CH₄, NO₂ and other molecules. Its pulse train working mode can increase the signal-to-noise ratio of laser detection echo signal. It has broad application prospects in radar detection, environmental monitoring, spectral analysis and other fields, which has aroused great interest of scientists. Compared with the traditional intra-cavity control method, the step <i>Q</i>-switching method has the advantages of simple structure, high energy utilization rate and accurate control. Therefore, in this paper, both the theoretical study and the experimental study of a 3.4 μm mid-infrared pulse train laser pumped by a step-type acousto-optic <i>Q</i>-switched external cavity in MgO:PPLN optical parametric oscillator are carried out. The theoretical model of fundamental frequency step acousto-optic <i>Q</i>-switching is established. The change trends of photon number density at different step intervals are simulated. The optimal trigger time of step signal required for step acousto-optic <i>Q</i>-switching is obtained. The possibility of obtaining pulse train laser output by step acousto-optic <i>Q</i>-switching is determined. In the simulation, the single pulse envelope contains 3 sub-pulse train waveforms. The pulse width of the sub-pulse in the pulse envelope gradually increases, the sub-pulse interval is 5 μs, and the pulse envelope repetition frequency is 20 kHz. At the same time, the optimal trigger times for the step signal are obtained to be 16.00, 21.00, 26.00, 50.00 μs. The mid-infrared pulse train laser experiment of step acousto-optic <i>Q</i>-switched external cavity pumped MgO:PPLN optical parametric oscillator is carried out, and the 3.4 μm mid-infrared pulse train laser output containing three sub-pulses in a single pulse envelope is obtained. The sub-pulse interval is 5 μs, the narrowest pulse width is 12.8 ns, and the pulse envelope repetition frequency is 20 kHz, when the maximum average output power is 1.08 W, the maximum optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 1064 nm fundamental light and 3.4 μm parametric light is 10.05%, and the beam quality factor <i>M</i>² is 2.01. The output position of the sub pulses in each repetition period in the experiment is basically consistent with the simulation result, and it is found in both simulation and experiment that the width of the sub pulses within each pulse envelope gradually increases. The experimental results show that 3.4 μm mid-infrared pulse train laser output can be obtained by using step AOQS combined with OPO. This innovative method provides theoretical and technical support for detecting atmospheric pollutant concentration by using mid-infrared pulse train laser.