Abstract
By optimizing the intracavity dispersion compensation in a self-modelocked Ti:sapphire laser, we have generated near transform-limited pulses of 32 femtosecond duration. Our system consists of a Spectra-Physics model 3900 Ti:sapphire laser, modified by extending the cavity length and adding intracavity prisms to compensate for dispersion. Even when the prisms are adjusted for optimum compensation, a residual third-order dispersion term (a quadratic chirρ) (originating primarily from the prisms) cannot be exactly compensated. However, by proper choice of prism material, the third-order dispersion can be minimized to improve the performance of the laser. Our choice of LaFN28 prisms, spaced 53 cm apart, results in a reduction by a factor of ~2 in cubic term over the SF- glass prisms typically used. The laser produced pulses of 32 fs duration with a bandwidth of 22 nm @ 810 nm. This yields a time-bandwidth product of .32, within 5% of that for an ideal sech2 pulse. An extracavity prism pair was used to compensate for dispersion of the pulse through the output coupler and autocorrelator optics. Output power from the laser was 320 mW using 6 Watts pump power.
© 1991 Optical Society of America
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