Picosecond pulse generation in a hybrid Q-switched laser source by using a microelectromechanical mirror

Opt Express. 2012 Feb 27;20(5):5524-9. doi: 10.1364/OE.20.005524.

Abstract

We present a novel Q-switched laser source using a micro-optical-electromechanical mirror (MOEM) designed for short pulse emission. It is based on a hybrid configuration including a passively Q-switched microchip laser coupled to a fiber cavity closed by a cantilever type MOEM acting as an active modulator. This specially designed mirror with a single reflecting gold membrane is switched by low bias voltage ~50 V (peak to peak). This device emits pulses at tunable repetition rates up to 1.6 kHz, with ~564 ps duration and 3.4 kW peak power, which constitutes the shortest pulse duration ever reported with MOEMs based pulsed lasers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Lasers*
  • Lenses*
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*