Incomplete inversion and double-valued fundamental linewidth of infrared HeNe and HeXe lasers

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/3.485387· OSTI ID:227900

Kuppens, S J.M.; Eijkelenborg, M.A. van; Schrama, C A; Exter, M.P. van; Woerdman, J P ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Leiden (Netherlands). Huygens Lab.

The authors have measured the quantum-limited linewidths of small HeNe 3.39 {micro}m and HeXe 3.51 {micro}m lasers. In contrast to the expected Schawlow-Townes behavior strong deviations from the inverse power dependence are observed, leading to a double-valued relation between the linewidth and the output power. This phenomenon is analyzed in terms of the increase of spontaneous emission, by a factor N{sub sp}, due to incompleteness of the inversion. The analysis shows that typically N{sub sp} has a value ranging from 1--10. Combining existing models for the pump power dependence of the level populations with measurements of the small signal gain they are able to explain the observed double-valued linewidth behavior in a quantitative way.

• OSTI ID: 227900
• Journal Information: IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. 32, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
HELIUM-NEON LASERS
LINE WIDTHS
POPULATION INVERSION
HELIUM-XENON LASERS
INFRARED RADIATION
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS