Orthogonal linear polarized lasers (Ⅱ)--Study on the physical phenomena

The physical phenomena and corresponding theoretical analysis of orthogonal polarized laser are reviewed. Four lasers (or systems) with orthogonal polarized beams are involved. For the birefringence dual frequency laser, its physical phenomena discussed include the alternation between strong mode competition and medium mode competition in cavity tuning; the range of frequency difference of strong mode competition (about 0-40 MHz); four polarization statuses (o-light oscillating but e-light extinguishing, both o-light and elight oscillating, e-light oscillating but o-light extinguishing, both o-light and e-light extinguishing) in cavity tuning; the tuning curves of frequency difference; the influence of optical activity of quartz crystal on polarization direction; and the aberrance of frequency splitting.For the Birefringence-Zeeman dual frequency laser, we focus on its intensity tuning and frequency difference tuning. For the feedback system of orthogonally polarized laser, we discuss the mutual suppression between two orthogonal frequencies, intensity exchange between two orthogonal frequencies and double of intensity fringe frequency. For orthogonally polarized LD-pumped Nd: YAG microchip laser, its property of the dependence of intensity sensitivity on frequency difference is described.     

Orthogonally linear polarized lasers(Ⅰ)--principle and devices

Two kinds of orthogonally polarized lasers, i.e. Zeeman dual-frequency lasers and four-frequency ring lasers (laser gyros) have been developed since the invention of lasers, in which circularly polarized lights oscillate. This paper summarizes recent progress of the study on orthogonally linear polarized lasers with the standing wave cavity. Firstly, the expression of producing orthogonally linear polarized lights in standing wave cavity, i.e. laser frequency splitting, is given. Almost all the birefringence effects made in laser cavity are used to produce orthogonally linear polarized lights. The effect includes quartz crystal birefringence effect, calcite birefringence effect,stress (photo-elastic) birefringence effect and electro-optical birefringence effect. Secondly, several physical phenomena of orthogonally linear polarized lasers are discovered such as aberrance of frequency splitting curves caused by optical activity of quartz crystal, order-passing of longitudinal modes with frequency splitting and strong modes competition. Finally, because the traditional Zeeman dual frequency laser cannot output frequency difference larger than 3 MHz, the approaches of obtaining larger frequency difference are studied. The sequential results, several kinds of orthogonally polarized lasers, are described, such as birefringence dual frequency lasers outputting a frequency difference from 40 MHz to hundreds of megahertz, birefringence-Zeeman dual frequency lasers outputting a frequency difference from 1 MHz to hundreds of megahertz, the LD pumped YAG birefringence dual frequency laser outputting frequency difference of several gigahertz, and the lasers whose longitudinal mode spacing is c/4L instead of c/2L.     

Orthogonal linear polarized lasers(III) --Applications in self-sensing

In this paper, the applications of orthogonal linear polarized lasers in self-sensing are reviewed. The properties for such a laser include the production of a new frequency in one longitudinal mode spacing, the tuning of frequency difference, the change of polarization states as cavity tuning, the control of mode competition intensity, the optical feedback, and so on. The orthogonal polarized lasers have been used as a laser nanometer ruler based on competition between two polarized lights in a HeNe laser and as a displacement measurement tool based on the optical feedback in the orthogonal polarized lasers. They are also used in the phase retardation measurement of a waveplate, the angle measurement, the vibration measurement, the pressure/force measurement, the weak magnetic field measurement, and so on. The structures of these new devices are simple and compact with the great advantages of high resolution and high accuracy. Some of these devices can trace to the source of the laser wavelength. The nanometer laser ruler is an example whose measurement range is 12 mm, resolution is 79 nm and linearity is less than 5×10^-5. The repeatability of the phase retardation measuring system of waveplate can reach 3′.     

Orthogonal linear polarized lasers(Ⅲ) Applications in self-sensing

In this paper, the applications of orthogonal linear polarized lasers in self-sensing are reviewed. The properties for such a laser include the production of a new frequency in one longitudinal mode spacing, the tuning of frequency difference, the change of polarization states as cavity tuning, the control of mode competition intensity, the optical feedback, and so on. The orthogonal polarized lasers have been used as a laser nanometer ruler based on competition between two polarized lights in a HeNe laser and as a displacement measurement tool based on the optical feedback in the orthogonal polarized lasers. They are also used in the phase retardation measurement of a waveplate, the angle measurement, the vibration measurement, the pressure/force measurement, the weak magnetic field measurement,and so on. The structures of these new devices are simple and compact with the great advantages of high resolution and high accuracy.Some of these devices can trace to the source of the laser wavelength. The nanometer laser ruler is an example whose measurement range is 12 mm, resolution is 79 nm and linearity is less than 5×10- 5. The repeatability of the phase retardation measuring system of waveplate can reach 3'.     

Orthogonally linear polarized lasers (I) — principle and devices

Two kinds of orthogonally polarized lasers, i.e. Zeeman dual-frequency lasers and four-frequency ring lasers (laser gyros) have been developed since the invention of lasers, in which circularly polarized lights oscillate. This paper summarizes recent progress of the study on orthogonally linear polarized lasers with the standing wave cavity. Firstly, the expression of producing orthogonally linear polarized lights in standing wave cavity, i.e. laser frequency splitting, is given. Almost all the birefringence effects made in laser cavity are used to produce orthogonally linear polarized lights. The effect includes quartz crystal birefringence effect, calcite birefringence effect, stress (photo-elastic) birefringence effect and electro-optical birefringence effect. Secondly, several physical phenomena of orthogonally linear polarized lasers are discovered such as aberrance of frequency splitting curves caused by optical activity of quartz crystal, order-passing of longitudinal modes with frequency splitting and strong modes competition. Finally, because the traditional Zeeman dual frequency laser cannot output frequency difference larger than 3 MHz, the approaches of obtaining larger frequency difference are studied. The sequential results, several kinds of orthogonally polarized lasers, are described, such as birefringence dual frequency lasers outputting a frequency difference from 40 MHz to hundreds of megahertz, birefringence-Zeeman dual frequency lasers outputting a frequency difference from 1 MHz to hundreds of megahertz, the LD pumped YAG birefringence dual frequency laser outputting frequency difference of several gigahertz, and the lasers whose longitudinal mode spacing is c4L instead of c2L.