Pivot point independent, external cavity tunable laser

An investigation in to a novel pivot point free external cavity tunable laser (PPI ECTL). Existing external cavity tunable lasers are constructed using tunable optics, such as Bragg gratings to manipulate the cavity length. These elements although functional provide instability with prolonged use as they are defined by a centre of rotation or pivot point. The aim of this research was to provide a lab demonstrator of a new concept tunable laser based on conventional designs. The novel approach to the system design was in the removal of a defined pivot point, whilst still maintaining a moving optical component. The demonstration system will investigate the improvements upon traditional methods of tuning whilst providing greater tuning range and stability. The main defect of conventional systems was the reliance on the defined pivot point of the movable optics. By changing the position of the pivot point, the cavity length will change and the laser mode will change or hop to a side mode. This was known as a mode hop. The objective of the research was to design and implement a durable ECTL with a large tuning range (>200GHz), mode hop free tuning, fibre coupled, circular output beam and a wavelength in the visible. Design and production of a prototype PPI ECT laser that demonstrate the process of mode hop free tuning without the need of a defined pivot point. The impact of the research may lead in to the integration in to lower cost and more reliable commercial applications.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctoral Thesis

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Student thesis

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Rees-Whippey, Daniel

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Li, Kang

• ECTL
• External Cavity Turntable Laser

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/da69c686-6741-415b-a6f6-cd34bebd8d48

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/da69c686-6741-415b-a6f6-cd34bebd8d48