In this Small Grant for Exploratory Research, we propose to develop an all solid-state laser system capable of generating light pulses of unprecedented short duration. The technique of non-linear mode- locking can be used to generate femtosecond-duration pulses from a titanium-doped sapphire laser. The major limitation on the minimum pulse width obtainable from this laser is optical dispersion inside the laser cavity; i.e. different wavelengths of light take a varying time to complete a round-trip through the cavity of the laser. Since an ultrashort laser pulse must have a wide spectral width, a short pulse will not stay short if there is substantial dispersion in the laser cavity. By doing detailed calculations of dispersion, we have discovered a number of methods for minimizing it in this laser. We have already produced pulses of 25 femtoseconds duration-- a record for ultrafast lasers. We plan to expand upon this work to further advance the state-of-the-art in ultrafast laser technology. By designing a new laser, we expect to be able to demonstrate a simple and reliable source of 15-20 fs pulses. Our work promises to expand the utility of lasers for studying ultrafast processes in electronic materials and in chemical reactions.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-05-15
Budget End
1993-10-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
$51,872
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington State University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Pullman
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
99164