Participants: MBI (Sub-coordinator), KTH, High-Q Laser, EPFL
Objectives:
The main objective of WP 3 is to gain new knowledge about the practical advantages of implementing the multifunctional materials under study (i) in optical cooling devices, (ii) in various diode-pumped laser devices with different operational regimes (cw, Q-switched, ultrafast) and doped ions (Yb, Tm, Ho, Er) with their specific laser wavelengths, and (iii) in nonlinear frequency converters (Raman, SHG etc.) with respect to improved performance, efficiency, reliability, compactness, lifetime, and flexibility for future applications. A very important further objective is to gain new knowledge about the operational capabilities of composite structures, thin-layer structures, and micro- and nano-structured devices.
Description of work:
The work will include femtosecond / picosecond and preliminary cw studies at MBI and High-Q Laser, where the different resonator arrangements and mode-locking techniques (e.g. SESAM soliton- or Kerr-lens mode-locking) will be investigated. Although the final purpose is to achieve superior performance with diode-pumping, preliminary studies with more flexible Ti:sapphire laser pumping are also planned at MBI. While the ultrafast research will be focussed mainly on Yb-containing double tungstates (incl. stoichiometric ones) with a variety of active element designs (bulk, thin film, structured etc.) and geometries (Brewster, flat, end-pumped etc.), Q-switched and cw laser studies with diode-laser pumping are planned at KTH and Monocrom on Er- and Tm- (or Ho-) doped double tungstates. The study of Raman converters for the eye-safe range and second-harmonic generation are the priorities of KTH and MBI, respectively. The potential for optical cooling will be addressed at MBI.