External synchronous picosecond-level jitter macro-energy picosecond pulse laser output method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and a device for outputting large-energy picosecond pulse laser with external synchronization picosecond-level jitter. The device comprises a high-precision time sequence controller, a semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source, an optical isolator and a high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier. The semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source outputs low-energy picosecond-level (10-12J, pJ) and low-jitter picosecond-level (10-12s, ps) picosecond pulse seeds under the trigger of a time sequence controller of a high-precision external clock, the picosecond pulse seeds enter the high-gain high-stability regenerative amplifier through the optical isolator, and the high-gain high-stability regenerative amplifier outputs high-energy picosecond-level (10-12s, ps) picosecond pulse seeds under the control and adjustment of the high-precision time sequence controller. The picosecond pulse seed is locked to be regenerated and amplified in the regenerative amplifier, and the energy of the picosecond pulse seed with low energy and low jitter at a picofocus (pJ) level is amplified to uJ-mJ (10 <-6 > J-10 <-3 > J), so that low jitter and large energy output of laser pulses and trigger signals are realized, and application development of high-precision laser ranging, laser communication, time-frequency transmission and the like is effectively promoted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of laser technology, and in particular to a method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter. Background Art

[0002] Picosecond pulse lasers, with their short pulse durations, play a vital role in numerous cutting-edge fields, including materials processing, spectroscopy, biomedical imaging, and satellite / space debris laser ranging. Currently, picosecond pulse lasers, widely used in scientific research and industrial applications, primarily utilize laser mode locking to generate ultrashort pulses in the picosecond range. The core of the laser mode locking process lies in precisely modulating the phase of the light field within the resonant cavity. Within a mode-locked cavity, when specific conditions are met, a fixed phase relationship is established between the longitudinal modes of different frequencies within the cavity, resulting in a mode-locked state. Under these conditions, the generation of picosecond pulses exhibits a regular pattern, with the pulse spacing determined by the round-trip time of light within the cavity (ΔT = 2L / c, where L is the cavity length and c is the speed of light). In practical applications, many high-precision experiments and processes require precise synchronization of picosecond pulse lasers with an external clock signal. Due to the inherent pulse period between picosecond pulses, this fixed time interval is difficult to precisely match with the triggering moment of the external clock signal. Limited by the above-mentioned inherent pulse period characteristics, when synchronizing with an external clock, the synchronization accuracy is poor and the synchronization error is often large, and it is usually difficult to break through the nanosecond level of low jitter output.

[0003] With the continuous development of laser technology, the rapid development of semiconductor technology has brought new breakthroughs in the field of laser picoseconds. Semiconductor chip technology based on electrically driven pumping has opened up a new path for the development of picosecond pulse laser seed sources, making it possible to obtain low-jitter, narrow-pulse-width picosecond pulse laser seeds, and its synchronization accuracy with external clock triggering is better than 50 picoseconds (ps). In terms of high-precision time measurement, its high synchronization accuracy with the external clock can meet the needs of precision time measurement equipment such as atomic clocks, and provide reliable guarantees for the precise calibration of time bases. This technological advancement has greatly promoted the development of precision laser processing, ultra-high-speed optical communications, high-precision time measurement and other fields. However, although the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source performs well in terms of synchronization accuracy, it is limited by the structure and manufacturing process of the semiconductor chip itself, and its power and pulse energy output are low, with the pulse energy at the picojoule level (pJ, 10 -12 J), which limits its application scope. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse laser with external synchronized picosecond-level jitter, which adopts a low-jitter semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source and a high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier. Through a high-precision timing controller, the picosecond pulse laser of the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source is accurately introduced into the regenerative amplifier for regenerative amplification, thereby amplifying the pulse energy from the picosecond level (~pJ) to hundreds of microjoules (~100uJ) or even higher, and achieving 10 times the power of weak signals. 8 It can achieve an amplification of more than 1000 nm and ensure high-precision synchronization between the laser pulse and the triggering of the high-precision timing controller, thus realizing the output of high-energy picosecond pulse laser with external synchronization picosecond jitter.

[0005] The method and device of the present invention adopt a high-precision timing controller, a semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source, an optical fiber isolator, a collimator and polarization output device, a light guide mirror, a spatial optical isolator, and a high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier; low-jitter picosecond pulse laser is triggered by the high-precision timing controller to output the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source, is connected to the optical fiber isolator through a coupling optical fiber, and is then aligned to free space for transmission through the collimator and polarization output device, is guided by the light guide mirror and passes through the spatial optical isolator to enter the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier, and is synchronously controlled by the high-precision timing controller. The low-jitter picosecond pulse is amplified multiple times in the regenerative resonant cavity, the pulse energy is amplified by several orders of magnitude, and a high-energy picosecond pulse is output, which is output through the spatial optical isolator, thereby achieving low jitter synchronization between the laser pulse and the trigger signal and the output of high-energy laser pulses.

[0006] Preferably, the high-precision timing controller can operate under the synchronous access of an internal high-precision clock or an external clock, and has 3 to 5 synchronous output terminals. The output signal amplitude of each output terminal is 1 to 5V, the signal width is adjustable from 10ns to 10ms, the output frequency is ≤10MHz, the signal delay between each output terminal is adjustable from 1ns to 10ms, and the step adjustment accuracy is better than 50ps.

[0007] Preferably, the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source uses an electrically driven pumped semiconductor chip to output narrow pulse width laser picoseconds, the output wavelength can be adjusted by temperature control, and the central wavelength is within the wavelength range of the output of the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier.

[0008] Preferably, under the external trigger signal of the high-precision timing controller, the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source outputs picosecond light pulses with a delay jitter of ≤50ps and a pulse width of ≤200ps, and is coupled to a single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber for output.

[0009] Preferably, the optical fiber isolator adopts a polarization-maintaining mode, with an isolation of ≥1000 and an insertion loss of ≤10%.

[0010] Preferably, the collimator and polarization output device consists of a fiber collimator and a half-wave plate. The fiber collimator has a beam expansion ratio of 3 to 10 times for the output light of the single-mode fiber. The half-wave plate can be rotated and adjusted 360° to perform polarization adjustment on the picosecond pulses after the collimation output to ensure that their polarization state is consistent with that of the spatial light isolator.

[0011] Preferably, the aperture of the spatial light isolator is ≥2 mm, and the isolation degree is ≥1000.

[0012] Preferably, the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier is composed of a first polarizer, a pulse picker, a first end mirror, a second polarizer, a high-gain pump source, a second end mirror, and a drive control module, wherein the first end mirror, the first polarizer, the second polarizer, the high-gain pump module, and the second end mirror constitute a high-gain and high-stability regenerative resonant cavity; Preferably, the driving control module drives the high-gain pump module and the pulse selector under the control of the high-precision timing controller, and the pulse selector synchronously selects the narrow pulse width picosecond pulse laser seed output by the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source, so that the laser picosecond resonates and amplifies in the regenerative resonant cavity.

[0013] Preferably, the output wavelengths of the optical fiber isolator, the collimator and polarization outputter, the light guide mirror, the spatial light isolator, the first polarizer, the pulse selector, the first end mirror, the second polarizer, the high-gain pump module, the second end mirror and the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source are coated with corresponding high-transmittance films or high-reflection films.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: providing a method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter, regenerating and amplifying the picosecond pulse laser output by a low-jitter, low-energy semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source through a high-gain, high-stability regenerative amplifier, and controlling the input and output of the picosecond pulse laser under a high-precision timing controller to obtain a high-energy picosecond pulse laser with low output and clock jitter, and using an optical isolator to improve isolation to prevent the weak light transmitted after amplification from returning to the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source along the original path and causing laser damage.

[0015] Specifically: A semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source is used to achieve the output of low-jitter picosecond pulse laser for external synchronization signals.

[0016] Using a high-precision timing controller, the low-jitter, low-energy picosecond pulse laser output from the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source is precisely controlled to enter the high-gain, high-stability regenerative amplifier. At the same time, the regenerative amplifier is controlled to ensure timing consistency during the amplification process.

[0017] Using a high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier, the low-energy picosecond pulse laser output by the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source is efficiently regenerated and amplified, and the pulse energy is amplified from pJ to over ~100uJ.

[0018] Fiber optic isolators and spatial optical isolators are used to isolate the regenerated and amplified high-energy picosecond pulse laser to prevent the amplified light from entering the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source and causing damage to the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a method and apparatus for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to an embodiment of the present invention; In the figure, 1. High-precision timing controller; 2. Semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source; 3. Fiber optical isolator; 4. Collimator and polarization output device; 5. Light guide mirror; 6. Spatial optical isolator; 7. High-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier; 41. Fiber collimator; 42. Half-wave plate; 71. First polarizer; 72. Pulse selector; 73. First end mirror; 74. Second polarizer; 75. High-gain pump source; 76. Second end mirror; 77. Drive control module; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Example 1, as Figure 1 As shown, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter, including: High-precision timing controller 1; semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 2; fiber optical isolator 3; collimation and polarization output device 4; light guide mirror 5; spatial optical isolator 6; high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7; fiber collimator 41; half-wave plate 42; first polarizer 71; pulse selector 72; first end mirror 73; second polarizer 74; high-gain pump source 75; second end mirror 76; drive control module 77.

[0022] Figure 1 In the process, the high-precision timing controller 1 triggers the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 2 to output a low-jitter, low-energy picosecond pulse laser, which enters the fiber optic isolator 3 through the optical fiber access, and then is collimated and polarized by the collimator and polarization output device 4. The light is guided and adjusted by the light guide mirror 5 and passes through the spatial optical isolator 6 to enter the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7. The semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 2 and the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7 are synchronously controlled by the high-precision timing controller 1. The low-jitter, low-energy picosecond pulse laser is regenerated and amplified multiple times in the regenerative resonant cavity, and outputs low-jitter, high-energy picosecond pulses synchronized with the clock.

[0023] The high-precision timing controller 1 can operate under high-precision external or internal clock synchronization, and has 3 to 5 synchronization output terminals. One synchronization port outputs a trigger signal to the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 2, and one synchronization port outputs a trigger signal to the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7. Each synchronization output terminal and the clock signal can maintain an accuracy of ≤10ps.

[0024] The semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 1 outputs low-jitter narrow-pulse-width laser picoseconds under the control of the trigger signal of the high-precision timing controller 1 under the electrically driven pump. The output wavelength is adjusted by temperature control and coupled to a single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber and connected to the fiber optical isolator 3.

[0025] The collimation and polarization output device 4 consists of a fiber collimator 41 and a half-wave plate 42. The fiber collimator 41 expands and collimates the picosecond pulse laser output from the single-mode fiber of the fiber optical isolator 3, and then the half-wave plate 42 adjusts the polarization of the collimated light so that it can completely pass through the spatial optical isolator 6.

[0026] The high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7 is composed of a first polarizer 71, a pulse selector 72, a first end mirror 73, a second polarizer 74, a high-gain pump source 75, a second end mirror 96, and a drive control module 77. The high-precision timing controller 1 controls the drive control module 77 to drive the high-gain pump module 75 and the pulse selector 72. The pulse selector 72 synchronously selects the narrow-pulse-width laser picosecond, so that the laser picosecond is resonantly amplified in the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7, thereby realizing pulse energy amplification.

[0027] By adjusting the pulse selector 72, the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier 7 can freely operate and output laser, and the temperature control of the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 1 is adjusted so that the center wavelength of the picosecond pulse laser output by the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source 1 is within the wavelength range of the regenerative amplifier 7 free-operating output laser.

[0028] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method and device for high-energy picosecond pulse laser output with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter, characterized in that: include: A high-precision timing controller (1), a semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source (2), an optical fiber isolator (3), a collimator and polarization output device (4), a light guide mirror (5), a spatial optical isolator (6), and a high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier (7); the high-precision timing controller (1) triggers the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source (2) to output a low-jitter, narrow-pulse-width, weak-energy signal picosecond pulse laser seed; the picosecond pulse seed is connected to the optical fiber isolator (3) through a coupling optical fiber, and then collimated spatially through the collimator and polarization output device (4), and then enters the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier (7) through the light guide mirror (5) and the spatial optical isolator (6); the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source (2) and the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier (7) are synchronously controlled by the high-precision timing controller (1), the picosecond pulse seed is regenerated and amplified, the pulse energy is amplified and increased, and a high-energy, low-jitter picosecond pulse is output, which is output by the spatial optical isolator (6).

2. The method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-precision timing controller (1) can work under the synchronous access of an internal high-precision clock or an external clock, has 3 to 5 synchronous output terminals, each output terminal outputs a signal amplitude of 1 to 5V, a signal width adjustable from 10ns to 10ms, an output frequency ≤ 10MHz, a signal delay between each output terminal adjustable from 1ns to 10ms, and a step adjustment accuracy better than 50ps.

3. The method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse laser with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source (2) uses an electrically driven pumped semiconductor chip to output a narrow pulse width picosecond pulse laser seed. Under the external trigger signal of the high-precision timing controller (1), the time delay jitter between the output picosecond light pulse and the trigger signal is ≤50ps.

4. The method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse laser with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collimation and polarization output device (4) is composed of a fiber collimator (41) and a half-wave plate (42). The fiber collimator (41) has a beam expansion ratio of 3 to 10 times for the output light of the single-mode fiber.

5. The method and device for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse laser with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier (7) is composed of a first polarizer (71), a pulse selector (72), a first end mirror (73), a second polarizer (74), a high-gain pump source (75), a second end mirror (76), and a drive control module (77), wherein the first end mirror (73), the first polarizer (71), the second polarizer (74), the high-gain pump module (75), and the second end mirror (76) constitute a high-gain and high-stability regenerative resonant cavity; the drive control module (77) drives the high-gain pump module (75) and the pulse selector (72) under the control of the high-precision timing controller (1), and the pulse selector (72) synchronously selects the narrow-pulse-width picosecond pulse laser seed output by the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source (2), so as to achieve resonant amplification in the high-gain and high-stability regenerative resonant cavity.

6. A method and apparatus for outputting high-energy picosecond pulsed lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to any of claims 1 and 5, characterized in that: The central wavelength of the output laser picosecond of the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source (2) is within the wavelength range of the output of the high-gain and high-stability regenerative amplifier (7).

7. A method and apparatus for outputting high-energy picosecond pulse lasers with externally synchronized picosecond-level jitter according to any of claims 1, 4-6, characterized in that: The optical fiber isolator (3), the collimator and polarization output device (4), the light guide mirror (5), the spatial optical isolator (6), the first polarizer (71), the pulse selector (72), the first end mirror (73), the second polarizer (74), the high-gain pump module (75), the second end mirror (76) and the output wavelength of the semiconductor picosecond pulse seed source are coated with corresponding high-transmittance films or high-reflection films.

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