New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

World first demo of labyrinth magnetic-domain-optical Q-switched laser

A submillimeter-thick film with magnetic microdomains was used to control a Q-switched laser, increasing its pulse power 1,000 times

Date:
July 27, 2016
Source:
Toyohashi University of Technology
Summary:
Researchers have fabricated the first magneto-optical (MO) Q-switched laser. Unlike electro-optic (EO) and acousto-optic (AO) effects, MO effects had not previously been used in Q-switched lasers, even though they are also very well-known phenomena. The fabricated MO Q-switched laser contributes to the development of compact high-power lasers.
Share:
FULL STORY

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology and their colleagues have fabricated the first magneto-optical (MO) Q-switched laser. Unlike electro-optic (EO) and acousto-optic (AO) effects, MO effects had not previously been used in Q-switched lasers, even though they are also very well-known phenomena. The fabricated MO Q-switched laser contributes to the development of compact high-power lasers.

The "Industry 4.0" concept, first introduced by the German government, has recently extended the scope of compact high-power laser applications to, for instance, laser manufacturing, vehicle engine development, or thruster systems for space exploration.

However, integration of a controllable Q-switch into compact solid-state lasers has been challenging because of the mechanisms of EO and AO effects. In addition, previous Q-switches needed a large-sized power supply, which prevented downscaling of the entire system.

Now, researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology, Iowa State University, and the Institute for Molecular Science have developed a magneto-optic (MO) Q-switched laser for the first time, using a 190-micron-thick magnetic garnet film with labyrinth-shaped magnetic domains. They used custom-made coil and circuits to generate the pulsed magnetic field to be applied to the magnetic garnet, and successfully generated optical output with a pulse width of tens of nanoseconds. This is the first demonstration ever of a Q-switched laser driven by magnetic domain motions, and also the first evidence of the possibility of an integrated Q-switched laser. "The device was two orders of magnitude smaller than other reported controllable Q-switches," commented Associate Professor Taira.

"The most difficult part of realizing MO Q-switching was to combine three different techniques/fields: the preparation of a magnetic material, the fabrication of a high-speed magnetic field switch, and the construction of a laser cavity," explained PhD candidate Ryohei Morimoto.

According to the first author, Assistant Professor Taichi Goto, "there are no previous reports of MO Q-switches using thin garnets. This is surely the first demonstration, and it also becomes an important first step in the development of an integrated high-power laser."

"We enjoy our collaboration and learn from each other," said Professor Mina Mani. "We further hope not only to advance research and create and pursue new challenges, but also to use science and technology to make a better world for all."

In addition, the researchers found a unique biasing technique that uses magnetism to decrease the electric power needed for Q-switching. When a ring-shaped permanent magnet was placed close to the magnetic garnet, they were able to generate the same optical pulse in the MO Q-switched laser using seven times less electric power. This result showed that this Q-switch does not need a large power supply for operation, meaning that drastic downscaling can be expected. The research team would like their future studies to be useful for laser users all around the world and to help in the establishment of new industries.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Toyohashi University of Technology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Taichi Goto, Ryohei Morimoto, John W. Pritchard, Mani Mina, Hiroyuki Takagi, Yuichi Nakamura, Pang Boey Lim, Takunori Taira, M. Inoue. Magneto-optical Q-switching using magnetic garnet film with micromagnetic domains. Optics Express, 2016; 24 (16): 17635 DOI: 10.1364/OE.24.017635

Cite This Page:

Toyohashi University of Technology. "World first demo of labyrinth magnetic-domain-optical Q-switched laser." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 July 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160727100831.htm>.
Toyohashi University of Technology. (2016, July 27). World first demo of labyrinth magnetic-domain-optical Q-switched laser. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 10, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160727100831.htm
Toyohashi University of Technology. "World first demo of labyrinth magnetic-domain-optical Q-switched laser." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160727100831.htm (accessed December 10, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES