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Q-switched Mode Locking

Q-switched mode locking is an operation regime of a passively mode-locked laser where the intracavity pulse energy undergoes large oscillations, related to a dynamic instability (called Q-switching instability) related to undamped relaxation oscillations. The pulse energy may even become extremely small for a number of subsequent pulses, before the next bunch (burst) of light pulses is generated.

The laser dynamics can be investigated using relatively simple dynamic models. With certain approximations, it is possible to derive a criterion for stable mode locking (i.e. without Q-switched mode locking or Q-switching instabilities) above a certain Q-switched mode locking threshold [3]:

where <$E_\textrm{p}$> is the intracavity pulse energy, <$E_\rm{sat,g}$> is the saturation energy of the gain medium, <$E_\rm{sat,a}$> is the saturation energy of the saturable absorber, and <$\Delta R$> is the modulation depth of the absorber.

The origin of Q-switching instabilities is that the saturable absorber typically “rewards” higher pulse energies with lower resonator losses, so that the damping of the relaxation oscillations is reduced. Whether or not this leads to QML depends on other factors; depending on various parameters, gain saturation may be sufficient for stabilizing the pulse energy.

The regime of Q-switched mode locking is in some cases fairly stable (i.e., leads to bunches of pulses with reproducible properties), in others very unstable (exhibiting strong fluctuations of parameters such as maximum pulse energy, pulse duration, and optical phase). Particularly in the latter case, the term Q-switching instabilities is often used.

Usually, the stability is high in cases where the pulses do not become too weak between the bunches. Otherwise, the pulses in each bunch are basically created from noise (particularly from spontaneous emission), and the pulse parameters cannot reach a steady state. This means that particularly in those situations where Q-switched mode locking leads to large maximum pulse energies, the operation is typically noisy. Therefore, Q-switched mode locking is not widely used in applications, but normally considered an unwanted phenomenon.

The instability may be suppressed in various ways:

• by choosing a gain medium with high laser cross-sections (increasing the stabilizing effect of gain saturation)
• by using a resonator design with small mode areas
• by using a long resonator with low losses and high intracavity power
• by inserting a power-limiting element in the resonator
• via optimization of the saturable absorber (e.g. exploiting a roll-over of the saturation curve, as can be caused by two-photon absorption)
• with electronic feedback techniques

For lasers operating in extreme parameter regions (e.g. very high output powers and/or very high pulse repetition rates), the suppression of Q-switching instabilities may require compromises, such as accepting longer pulse durations, lower laser efficiencies, or a high thermal load on the saturable absorber.

Note that contrary to a common belief, the QML threshold normally does not depend on the upper-state lifetime, but only on the laser cross-sections (via the saturation energy): e.g., quenching effects can reduce the upper-state lifetime without affecting the QML threshold.

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Encyclopedia articles:

• Q-switching instabilities
• laser dynamics
• relaxation oscillations
• mode locking
• modes of laser operation