Optische Frequenzkämme (OFC) haben eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen in den angewandten Wissenschaften und der Grundlagenforschung, die auf der Bestimmung von absoluten Frequenzen und Frequenzdifferenzen beruhen, revolutioniert. Für letzteres wird nur die Stabilisierung des spektralen Abstandes der individuellen Kammlinien des OFCs benötigt, was erlaubt, den OFCG auf die Anwendung anzupassen und die Systemkomplexität zu reduzieren. Eine solche Anwendung ist der Quantentest der Universalität des Freien Falls (UFF) im Rahmen der Experimentserie QUANTUS. Mit diesem Test soll der Freie Fall zweier atomarer Spezies, Rubidium (Rb) und Kalium (K), in Mikrogravitation vergleichen werden. Das Ziel dieser Doktorarbeit war die Entwicklung eines hochkompakten, robusten, und weltraum-tauglichen diodenlaser-basierten OFCG mit einem modengekoppelten optischen Spektrum im Wellenlängenbereich um 780 nm. Es wurde ein diodenlaser-basierter OFCG entwickelt, der mit einer spektrale Bandbreite von mehr als 16 nm bei 20 dBc, einer optischen Leistung der Kammlinien > 650 nW (bei 20 dBc), einer Pulswiederholrate von 3.4 GHz, und einer RF-Linienbreite der frei-laufenden Pulswiederholrate < 10 kHz die Anforderungen übertrifft. Um ein Proof-of-Concept Demonstratormodul zu realisieren, wurde der diodenlaser-basierte OFCG in eine weltraum-taugliche Technologieplattform, die für die Anwendung in zukünftigen QUANTUS-Experimenten entwickelt wurde, hybrid-integriert. Der Nachweis einer ausreichend hohen RF-Stabilität des OFCGs wurde durch Stabilisierung der Pulswiederholrate auf eine externe RF Referenz erbracht. Dies ermöglichte eine stabilisierte Pulswiederholrate mit einer RF-Linienbreite von weniger als 1.4 Hz (auflösungsbegrenzt), was die die Anforderung übertrifft. Der entwickelte diodenlaser-basierten OFCG ist wichtiger Schritt in Richtung eines verbesserten Vergleichs des Freien Falls von Rb- und K-Quantengasen innerhalb der QUANTUS-Experimente in Mikrogravitation. / Optical frequency combs (OFC) have revolutionized various applications in applied and fundamental sciences that rely on the determination of absolute optical frequencies and frequency differences. The latter requires only stabilization of the spectral distance between the individual comb lines of the OFC, allowing to tailor and reduce system complexity of the OFC generator (OFCG). One such application is the quantum test of the universality of free fall within the QUANTUS experimental series. Within the test, the rate of free fall of two atomic species, Rb and K, in micro-gravity will be compared. The aim of this thesis was the development of a highly compact, robust, and space-suitable diode laser-based OFCG with a mode-locked optical spectrum in the wavelength range around 780 nm. A diode laser-based OFCG was developed, which exceeds the requirements with a spectral bandwidth > 16 nm at 20 dBc, a comb line optical power > 650 nW (at 20 dBc), a pulse repetition rate of 3.4 GHz, and an RF linewidth of the free-running pulse repetition rate < 10 kHz. To realize a proof-of-concept demonstrator module, the diode laser-based OFCG was hybrid-integrated into a space-suitable technology platform that has been developed for future QUANTUS experiments. Proof of sufficient RF stability of the OFCG was provided by stabilizing the pulse repetition rate to an external RF reference. This resulted in a stabilized pulse repetition rate with an RF linewidth smaller than 1.4 Hz (resolution limited), thus exceeding the requirement. The developed diode laser-based OFCG represents an important step towards an improved comparison of the rate of free fall of Rb and K quantum gases within the QUANTUS experiments in micro-gravity.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:38:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DAVID STEINBERG.pdf: 3031041 bytes, checksum: e320f0c21b75ca5bdd5a63f93fa6dd1d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-27 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / In this thesis, for the first time we present results of passively-mode-locking O-band Raman fiber laser operating at 1310 nm by using carbon nanotubes as saturable absorber. The first results were obtained for an experimental setup based on single mode fiber (SMF) with laser operating near zero fiber dispersion at 1310 nm at anomalous regime. In this same configuration, a study of pulse duration shortening in terms of intracavity dispersion management with dispersion shifted fiber lengths (DSF) was performed. Replacing the SMF by a highly doped germanium fiber as gain medium of Raman fiber laser, operation was shifted to normal dispersion regime and passive mode-locking was also generated. In this laser, a study of pulse duration shortening in terms of gain medium length reduction was performed and the picosecond pulse regime of the laser could be estimated. We also present a brief comparison between the two dispersion regimes of the Raman fiber laser and passive mode-locking results obtained with different diameters of carbon nanotubes as saturable absorbers. / Nesta tese, apresentamos pela primeira vez resultados do acoplamento passivo de modos em um laser Raman à fibra operando em 1310 nm na banda O, utilizando nanotubos de carbono como absorvedor saturável. Os primeiros resultados foram obtidos de uma configuração experimental baseada totalmente em fibra monomodo padrão (SMF) com o laser operando próximo ao zero de dispersão da fibra em 1310 nm, porém em regime anômalo. Nesta mesma configuração, um estudo do encurtamento da duração do pulso em função do gerenciamento da dispersão intracavidade com comprimentos de fibra de dispersão deslocada (DSF) foi realizado. Substituindo a SMF por uma fibra altamente dopada com germânio como meio do ganho do laser Raman, a operação do laser foi deslocada para o regime de dispersão normal e o regime de acoplamento passivo de modos também foi gerado. Neste laser, um estudo do encurtamento da duração do pulso em função da redução do comprimento do meio de ganho foi realizado e a operação do acoplamento passivo de modos do laser em regime de picossegundos pôde ser estimada. Também apresentamos uma breve comparação entre os dois regimes de dispersão do laser Raman à fibra e resultados do acoplamento passivo de modos obtidos com diferentes diâmetros de nanotubos de carbono como absorvedores saturáveis.

Les Structures Localisées (SL) se forment dans les milieux non-linéaires dissipatifs à large rapport d'aspect où une ou plusieurs solutions peuvent coexister dans l'espace des paramètres. Bien que la formation des SL est un phénomène général, leur mise en œuvre dans les lasers à semi-conducteur se montre très intéressante due au potentiel qu'offre les SL pour le traitement tout optique de l'information. En effet, l'idée de base est d'utiliser les SL comme des bits d'information en exploitant leur propriété d'addressabilité dans un milieu laser rapide et miniaturisé. Dans ce travail, je décrirai les résultats théoriques et expérimentaux obtenus dans les lasers à semi-conducteur à cavité vertical (VCSEL). Après une courte introduction sur les SL spatiales déjà observées dans la section transverse des VCSELs, j'expliquerai comment nous sommes parvenus à générer des SL temporelles à partir d'un régime de Mode-Locking passif obtenu quand le laser est couplé à une longue cavité externe fermée par un absorbant saturable rapide. Nous avons également observé l'émergence d'un autre type de SL, les SL temporelles vectorielles, dont le mécanisme de formation exploite le degré de liberté de polarisation de la lumière émise par le VCSEL alors que celui-ci est soumis à de la rétro-action optique sélective en polarisation (PSF) et de la réinjection de polarisation croisée (XPR). / Localized Structures (LS) appear in nonlinear dissipative media with large aspect-ratios where one or several solutions coexist in the parameters space. Although LS formation is a general phenomenon, their implementation in semiconductor lasers is of great interest due to the potential of LS for all-optical data processing. In fact, the basic idea consists in using LS as bits of information exploiting their property of addressability in a fast and small-sized medium. In this contribution, I will show the experimental and theoretical results obtained in Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs). After a brief historical introduction on spatial LS emerging in the transverse profile of VCSELs, I will describe our method for the generation of temporal LS, that we observed in the frame of passive mode-locking when the VCSEL is coupled to a long external cavity closed by a fast saturable absorber, and vectorial LS, whose formation exploits the polarization degree of freedom of the VCSEL, which is submitted to the actions of a polarization-selective feedback (PSF) and a crossed-polarization reinjection (XPR).

Les Structures localisées (SLs) apparaissent dans les milieux dissipatifs nonlinéaires ayant un grand rapport d'aspect et où plusieurs solutions coexistent pour la même gamme de paramètres. Elles ont des longueurs de corrélations bien plus courtes que la taille du système ce qui en fait des objets individuellement adressables. Les SLs ont été largement étudiées dans les résonateurs optiques pour leur potentiel dans le traitement tout-optique d'information. Nous focalisons nos recherches sur les structures localisées temporelles obtenues dans un laser à blocage de modes passif. Il s'agit, plus spécifiquement, d'un laser à Cavite Verticale Émettant par la Surface (VCSEL) monté dans une cavité externe délimitée par un Miroir Semiconducteur à Absorption Saturable (SESAM). Nous montrons que les pulses émis par ce système peuvent être individuellement allumés et éteints par le biais d'impulsions électriques dans le courant de pompage. Nous étudions la possibilité de déplacer ces pulses l'un par rapport à l'autre et/ou de reconfigurer leur disposition dans la cavité à l'aide d'une modulation du paramètre de pompage. Ceci nous a permis de découvrir un nouveau paradigme pour la dynamique pour les SLs, jusqu'ici étudiées seulement dans les systèmes à symétrie de parité (systèmes spatiaux et résonateurs à Fibre de (type Kerr). En effet, dans notre système, le temps de réponse fini du milieu semiconducteur introduit la causalité dans la cavité, brisant ainsi la symétrie de parité du système. Ceci a des conséquences très importantes sur la vitesse de propagation des SLs, sur leurs formes et sur leurs interactions. Dans la partie finale de ma thèse, inspiré par le résultat obtenu dans ce système, je m'intéresser à l'implémentationdes SLs spatio-temporelle, aussi appelées Balles de Lumière (BLs). En effet, une version similaire de ce système a servi pour implémenter des SLs dans la section transverse du résonateur, ce qui en fait un bon candidat pour générer des BLs. Nous étudions donc les modifications à apporter pour atteindre ces structures. Les indications obtenues ont suggéré de remplacer le VCSEL par un dispositif similaire mais incapable de laser sans un miroir externe. Ce dispositif, appelé demi-VCSEL ou VECSEL et son SESAM compatible ont été fabriqués par l'Institut d'Electronique et des Systèmes de Montpellier. L'optimisation des caractéristiques de ces dispositifs permet d'atteindre le régime de localisation temporelle, ce qui est un résultat prometteur vers les Balles de Lumière. / Localized Structures (LS) appear in non-linear dissipative mediums with a large aspect ratio and where several solutions coexist for the same range of parameters. They have a correlation length much shorter than the size of the system which makes them individually addressable objects. LS have been widely studied in optical resonators for their potential in all-optic informations processing. We focus our study on Temporal Localized Structures in a Passive Mode-Locked Laser. More specifically, we study a Vertical Cavity SurfaceEmitting Laser (VCSEL) coupled in an external cavity with a Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror (SESAM). We show that pulses emitted by this system can be individually turned on and off using electrical pulses in the bias current. We study the possibility to move those pulses and/or to reconfigure their positions in the cavity thanks to a modulation of the bias current. We were able to discover a new paradigm for the dynamics of LS, studied until now only in system with parity symmetry (spatial system et Kerr fiber resonator). Indeed, in our system, the finite response time of the semiconductor medium brings causality in the cavity, and so breaks the parity symmetry of the system. This fact has important consequences on the LS drifting speed, on their shapes and their interactions. In the last part of my thesis, inspired by the results we obtain in this system, we focus on the implementation of spatio-temporal LS, also called Light Bullet (LB). Indeed, a similar system was used to implement LS in the transverse section of the resonator, so it can be a good candidate to generate LB. So we study the modification needed to obtain those structures. The results suggested to replace the VCESL by a similar device but that can't lase without external mirror. This device, called half-VCSEL or VECSEL, and its compatible SESAM, were design the Institut d'Electronique et des Systèmes of Montpellier. The optimization of the characteristic of those devices allows to get a regime of temporal localization, which is a promising towards the Light Bullets.

In dieser Arbeit werden einige Probleme im Zusammenhang mit der Erzeugung ultrakurzer Pulse in modengekoppelten Lasern unter Verwendung analytischer und numerischer Methoden theoretisch untersucht. Weiterhin werden einige Resultate über die Strahlung resonanter Medien, welche durch einen ultrakurzen Überlichtgeschwindigkeits-Lichtpuls angeregt werden, dargestellt. / In this thesis current problems related to the generation of short optical pulses in mode-locked lasers are considered in a theoretical context. We use numerical and analytical methods to study these problems. Additionally, the problem of resonant medium radiation excited by ultrashort light pulse propagating at superluminal velocity is investigated.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:37:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Henrique Guimaraes Rosa.pdf: 986364 bytes, checksum: 89d6b316a537ef2cd3088d9200fd7183 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-06 / In this work we present a study about ultrashort pulse-train generation in Erbiumdoped fiber lasers, by the passive mode-locking technique, with the use of carbon nanotubes saturable absorbers. Carbon nanotubes were incorporated into laser cavities by two techniques: thermophoresis optically-driven deposition and thin films incorporating carbon nanotubes. The second technique has become more advantageous than the first one, because is possible to control carbon nanotubes concentration and thin films thicknesses. Additionally, we present a study about thin films incorporating carbon nanotubes optimization, in order to maximize generated output bandwidths in passively mode-locked Erbium-doped fiber lasers. We used 0.8 and 1.0 nm diameters carbon nanotubes, fabricated thin films with different transmission values (different &#945;L product values), laser cavities with different features, such as total cavity length, total accumulated dispersion, repetition rate. In this context, best results were achieved with thin films containing 1.0 nm diameter carbon nanotubes, with films transmission about 37% (&#945;L product close to 1.0), in 9 m long laser cavity (0.8 m of highly- Erbium-doped fiber and 8.2 m of SMF) of total accumulated dispersion of 0.153 ps/nm. The largest bandwidth measured, with those characteristics cavity parameters, was 5,7 nm. / Neste trabalho, apresentamos um estudo sobre a geração de trem de pulsos ultracurtos em lasers à fibra dopada com Érbio, utilizando a técnica de acoplamento passivo de modos com o uso de nanotubos de carbono como absorvedores saturáveis. Os nanotubos de carbono foram incorporados à cavidade laser através de duas técnicas: deposição guiada por termoforese e na forma de filmes finos contendo nanotubos de carbono, tendo a segunda técnica se mostrado mais vantajosa, pois por ela podemos ter controle sobre a concentração de nanotubos de carbono no filme e espessura do filme. Adicionalmente, apresentamos um estudo sobre a otimização da produção de filmes finos contendo nanotubos de carbono para maximização da largura de banda gerada em lasers à fibra dopada com Érbio. Utilizamos nanotubos de carbono de diâmetros de 0,8 nm e 1,0 nm, fabricamos filmes finos com transmitâncias diferentes (distintos valores para o produto &#945;L), cavidades laser com diferentes características, tais como comprimento da cavidade, dispersão total acumulada, taxa de repetição. Neste contexto, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com filmes finos contendo nanotubos de carbono com 1,0 nm de diâmetro, em filmes cuja transmissão foi de 37% (produto &#945;L aproximadamente 1,0), numa cavidade laser de aproximadamente 9 m de comprimento (basicamente composta de 80 cm de fibra altamente dopada com Érbio e 8,2 m de SMF), dispersão total acumulada da cavidade de aprox. 0,153 ps/nm. A maior largura de banda obtida, com estes característicos parâmetros da cavidade, foi de 5,7 nm.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:37:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Guilherme Komninos.pdf: 1970255 bytes, checksum: df0cedf278c145259aed73c5d3775f90 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / This work presents a study based on the numerical analysis of Erbium-doped fiber lasers using the technique of passive mode-locking for the laser working in pulsed regime. The equation describing the dynamics of a laser cavity is known as Ginzburg-Landau Equation, that in this work is solved numerically by the Split-Step Fourier Method. By this method, an algorithm was developed which was incorporated into the MATLAB environment so taht numerical calculations were made. The method was validated by comparing the results generated by the program (temporal pulse width due to the gain of the cavity with and without dispersion and nonlinearity) with the results published in literature. After validation of the method an experimental results were reproduced of an Erbium-doped fiber laser using thin films of carbon nanotubes as saturable absorbers. The laser generates a bandwidth of 5.7 nm for a cavity with a total length of 9 m. This experimental result was used as a calibration parameter in the initial simulations. Just by varying the length of the cavity in the simulation, results very close to the experiment were obtained. These results have helped in understanding some of the experimental variables. / Neste trabalho é apresentado um estudo baseado em análise numérica de lasers à fibra dopada com Érbio utilizando a técnica de acoplamento passivo de modos para que o mesmo opere em regime pulsado. A equação que descreve a dinâmica de uma cavidade laser é conhecida como Equação de Ginzburg-Landau, que neste trabalho é resolvida numericamente pelo Método Split-Step Fourier. Por este método, foi desenvolvido um algoritmo que foi incorporado ao ambiente MATLAB para serem feitos os cálculos numéricos. O método foi validado comparando os resultados gerados pelo programa (largura temporal do pulso devido ao ganho da cavidade com e sem dispersão e não-linearidade) com os resultados publicados na literatura. Após a validação do método, foram reproduzidos resultados experimentais de um laser a fibra dopada com Érbio usando como absorvedor saturável filmes finos de nanotubos de carbono. O laser gera uma largura de banda de 5,7 nm para uma cavidade de comprimento total de 9 m. Este resultado experimental foi utilizado como parâmetro de calibração inicial nas simulações. Apenas variando o comprimento da cavidade na simulação, foram obtidos resultados bem próximos ao do experimento. Esses resultados ajudaram na compreensão de algumas variáveis do experimento.