Advances in Random Fiber Lasers and Their Sensing Application

Non-invasive imaging using a low-spatial-coherence multimode random polymer fiber laser

Random lasers (RLs), with their low spatial coherence, are ideal illumination sources for speckle-free imaging. However, it is still challenging for RLs to maintain low spatial coherence with the need for integration and directionality. Here, a disordered multimode random polymer fiber laser (RPFL) is proposed and implemented as a low-spatial-coherence light source. Compared to typical multimode optical fibers, the number of accommodated modes is increased by about 11×, the speckle contrast is reduced to 0.013, and the spatial coherence factor is reduced to 0.08. The low-spatial-coherence property enables RPFL to produce significantly superior imaging quality in both speckle-free imaging and non-invasive imaging through opacity. This study provides a strategy for an integrated speckle-free imaging system and paves the way for non-invasive imaging.

High-efficiency fiber-cladding power stripper based on all-dielectric optical thin films

Although conventional fiber-cladding power strippers (CPSs) based on the techniques of high-index adhesive or corrosive liquids onto fiber inner cladding have been well developed, they are still facing challenges in special applications such as spaceborne or radiation-environment fiber lasers and amplifiers. In this paper, we propose and fabricate high-efficiency CPSs based on all-dielectric optical thin films. By numerically analyzing the propagation characteristics of cladding light at the thin film interface, we design a high-index T a 2 O 5 CPS and A l 2 O 3 CPS with single- and cascaded-layer films coated onto the fiber inner cladding, respectively. In our experiment, the CPSs are successfully fabricated onto the inner-cladding surface of 10/125 double-clad fiber based on ion-beam-assisted deposition technology. The stripping efficiency for the 976 nm residual cladding power was measured up to 99.38%, and the stripping power of the fiber CPS without active cooling can be 24 W at least. Such CPS could be advantageous for applications in spaceborne-based fiber lasers or amplifiers (e.g., gravitational wave detection, spaceborne lidar).

Using a random laser to measure the content of protein in skim milk

The luminescence of skim milk samples with distinct protein content doped with rhodamine B was investigated. The samples were excited by a nanosecond laser tuned at 532 nm, and the emission was characterized as a random laser. Its features were analyzed as a function of the protein aggregate content. The results showed a linear correlation between the random laser peak intensity and the protein content. This paper proposes a rapid detection photonic method to evaluate the protein content in skim milk based on the intensity of the random laser emission.

Random lasing and replica symmetry breaking in GeO2-PbO-MgO glass–ceramics doped with neodymium

We investigated the random lasing process and Replica Symmetry Breaking (RSB) phenomenon in neodymium ions (Nd³⁺) doped lead-germanate glass–ceramics (GCs) containing MgO. Glass samples were fabricated by conventional melt-quenching technique and the GCs were obtained by carefully devitrifying the parent glasses at 830 °C for different time intervals. The partial crystallization of the parent glasses was verified by X-ray diffraction. Photoluminescence (PL) enhancement of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\approx$$\end{document}≈ 500% relative to the parent glasses was observed for samples with a higher crystallinity degree (annealed during 5 h). Powders with grains having average size of 2 µm were prepared by griding the GCs samples. The Random Laser (RL) was excited at 808 nm, in resonance with the Nd³⁺ transition ⁴I_9/2 → {⁴F_5/2, ²H_9/2}, and emitted at 1068 nm (transition ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2). The RL performance was clearly enhanced for the sample with the highest crystallinity degree whose energy fluence excitation threshold (EFE_th) was 0.25 mJ/mm². The enhanced performance is attributed to the residence-time growth of photons inside the sample and the higher quantum efficiency of Nd³⁺ incorporated within the microcrystals, where radiative losses are reduced. Moreover, the phenomenon of Replica Symmetry Breaking (RSB), characteristic of a photonic-phase-transition, was detected by measuring the intensity fluctuations of the RL emission. The Parisi overlap parameter was determined for all samples, for excitation below and above the EFE_th. This is the first time, for the best of the authors knowledge, that RL emission and RSB are reported for a glass–ceramic system.

Distributed vibration sensor with a lasing phase-sensitive OTDR

The authors experimentally demonstrate the operation of a lasing phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (Φ-OTDR) based on random feedback from a sensing fiber. Here, the full output of the laser provides the sensing signal, in contrast to the small backscattered signal measured in a conventional OTDR. In this proof-of-principle demonstration, the laser operates as a distributed vibration sensor with signal-to-noise ratio of 23-dB and 1.37-m spatial resolution.

Narrow Linewidth Half-Open-Cavity Random Laser Assisted by a Three-Grating Ring Resonator for Strain Detection

A stabilized narrow-linewidth random fiber laser for strain detection, based on a three-grating ring (TGR) resonator and half-open-cavity structure, is proposed and investigated experimentally. The half-open-cavity structure proved to provide double optical gain of erbium-doped fiber, which was beneficial to increase the photon lifetime as well as further narrow the linewidth. Meanwhile, the stability and frequency noise of narrow lasing output was improved by suppressing the competition-induced undesired residual random lasing modes with the TGR resonator. The TGR resonator is composed of a double-cavity fiber Bragg grating Fabry-Perot (FBG-FP) interferometer, a section of single-mode fiber, and a circulator. The specially designed double-cavity FBG-FP interferometer embedded in the TGR resonator acted as the strain-sensing element and improved the resolution of the dynamic strain. A stable ultra-narrow linewidth of about 205 Hz was obtained. The frequency noise was reduced to about 2 Hz/√Hz. A high dynamic strain measuring resolution of 35 femto-strain (fε)/√Hz was achieved.

A Dual-Wavelength Fiber Laser Sensor with Temperature and Strain Discrimination

This work presents a dual-wavelength C-band erbium-doped fiber laser assisted by an artificial backscatter reflector. This fiber-based reflector, inscribed by femtosecond laser direct writing, was fabricated into a single mode fiber with a length of 32 mm. The dual-wavelength laser obtained, centered at 1527.7 nm and 1530.81 nm, showed an optical signal-to-noise ratio over 46 dB when pumped at 150 mW. Another feature of this laser was that the power difference between the two channels was just 0.02 dB, regardless of the pump power, resulting in a dual emission laser with high equalization. On the other hand, an output power level and a central wavelength instability as low as 0.3 dB and 0.01 nm were measured, in this order for both channels. Moreover, the threshold pump power was 40 mW. Finally, the performance of this dual-wavelength fiber laser enhanced with a random reflector for sensing applications was studied, achieving the simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature with sensitivities around 1 pm/με and 9.29 pm/°C, respectively.

Review of Open Cavity Random Lasers as Laser-Based Sensors

In this review, the concept of open cavity lasing for ultrasensitive sensing is explored, specifically in driving important innovations as laser-based biosensors─a field mostly dominated by fluorescence-based sensing. Laser-based sensing exhibits higher signal amplification and lower signal-to-noise ratio due to narrow emission lines as well as high sensitivity due to nonlinear components. The versatility of open cavity random lasers for probing analytes directly which is ultrasensitive to small changes in chemical composition and temperature fluctuations paves the path of utilizing narrow emission lines for advanced sensing. The concept of random lasing is first explained followed by a comparison of the different lasing threshold that has been reported. This is followed by a survey of reports on laser-based sensing and more specifically as biosensors. Finally, a perspective on the way forward for open cavity laser-based sensing is put forth.

Evaluation of Pearson correlation coefficient and Parisi parameter of replica symmetry breaking in a hybrid electronically addressable random fiber laser

The hybrid electronically addressable random (HEAR) laser is a novel type of random fiber laser that presents the remarkable property of selection of the fiber section with lasing emission. Here we present a joint analysis of the correlations between intensity fluctuations at distinct wavelengths and replica symmetry breaking (RSB) behavior of the HEAR laser. We introduce a modified Pearson coefficient that simultaneously comprises both the Parisi overlap parameter and standard Pearson correlation coefficient. Our results highlight the contrast between the correlations and presence or not of RSB phenomenon in the spontaneous emission behavior well below threshold, replica-symmetric ASE regime slightly below threshold, and RSB phase with random lasing emission above threshold. In particular, in the latter we find that the onset of RSB behavior is accompanied by a stochastic dynamics of the lasing modes, leading to competition for gain intertwined with correlation and anti-correlation between modes in this complex photonic phase.

Comparison of THz-QCL Designs Supporting Clean N-Level Systems

Three different Terahertz quantum-cascade-laser designs supporting clean n-level systems were analyzed using nonequilibrium Green’s functions. In clean n-level systems, most of the electrons occupy the active laser levels, with thermally activated leakage channels being suppressed almost entirely up to room temperature. Simulations of the three designs, namely a resonant phonon design, a two-well design, and a split-well direct-phonon design were investigated. The results from the simulations indicated that the two-well design would perform best overall, in terms of variations in current density, interface roughness, and ionized impurity scattering. We conclude that future research aiming to improve the temperature performance of such laser designs should be based on a two-well design.

Hybrid Raman-erbium random fiber laser with a half open cavity assisted by artificially controlled backscattering fiber reflectors

A hybrid Raman-erbium random fiber laser with a half-open cavity assisted by chirped artificially controlled backscattering fiber reflectors is presented. A combination of a 2.4 km-long dispersion compensating fiber with two highly erbium-doped fiber pieces of 5 m length were used as gain media. A single random laser emission line centered at 1553.8 nm with an optical signal to noise ratio of 47 dB were obtained when pumped at 37.5 dBm. A full width at half maximum of 1 nm and a 100% confidence level output power instability as low as 0.08 dB were measured. The utilization of the new laser cavity as a temperature and strain sensor is also experimentally studied.