An external cavity diode laser (ECDL) in Littrow configuration with narrowband emission at 448 nm is presented. This wavelength coincides with a strong absorption cross-section line of the NO2 gas molecule in the blue spectral region. The ECDL is based on a commercially available multi-longitudinal modes GaN Fabry-Perot laser diode. Longitudinal mode selection is performed using a reflective holographic grating. The Littrow angle is fixed at 43.2 deg relative to the laser diode axis and the diffraction grating is at 3 cm from its output facet. Maximum tuning range of 3.8 nm is achieved with a linewidth of about 0.01 nm at the rated current. The lowest linewidth is obtained with the grating lines oriented parallel to the plane of the p-n junction of the laser diode. The slope efficiency of the ECDL is 0.35 (mW/mA), which is 30% lower than that of the laser diode. The maximum output power achieved by the ECDL is about 40 mW, which is about 75% of that of the laser diode. Maximum power efficiency is also obtained with the polarization direction of the laser diode parallel to the grating grooves. An excellent power stability is achieved over 2 h of continuous operation, with <1% fluctuation.
A single-mode external cavity diode laser (ECDL) emitting in the blue spectral region is developed. The ECDL, which uses a low-power Fabry-Perot laser diode, is designed in the Littrow configuration using a reflective holographic grating. The ECDL has a narrowband emission at 448 nm of 0.01 nm that coincides with a strong absorption cross-section of NO2 gas molecule, tuning ranges of 4.0 nm just above the threshold and 0.2 nm at high injection current. A maximum output power of 60 mW and an efficiency of 80 % with respect to the Fabry-Perot laser diode in free-running condition are achieved. High stability of the laser system over many hours was also achieved with a fluctuation of less than 1 %.
In this paper, an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) in Littrow configuration with narrowband emission is presented. The laser system is based on a commercially available GaN Fabry-Perot laser diode. Longitudinal mode selection is performed using a reflective holographic grating. Tuning range over 3.4 nm is achieved with a short linewidth of 0.02 nm at the rated current. The ECDL system is integrated into an optical sensor for remote detection of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) gas.
This paper describes a ground-based pulsed Cloud-Aerosol Lidar system for providing a backscatter laser signal at both wavelengths 532 and 1064 nm, from which aerosol and cloud profiles are derived. The Lidar system is installed on the roof of a building in a monostatic biaxial configuration. Test measurements show that the Lidar system is capable of resolving cloud structure and identifying the presence of aerosols from the ground up to a distance of 15 km. The performance of the Lidar system is considered adequate for routine measurements. This paper provides information on the basic features and performance of the Lidar system. The measurements confirm the excellent sensitivity of the detection chain. Recent improvements in the Lidar detection chain with improved dynamic range are also discussed.
A digital counting and display circuit for long distance laser rangefinder is presented. The laser rangefinder uses a pulsed Nd:YAG laser emitting in the near-infrared spectral region at the wavelength of 1.06 micrometer to measure distances to targets with a resolution of 5 m, an accuracy of +/- 1.5 m, and a maximum range of 15 km based on a direct time-of-flight method. The detection is achieved with a probability of detection of 0.99 and a probability of false alarm of 1.5X10-7. The digital circuit is characterized by its simplicity, versatility and reliability. It is placed at the end of an optoelectronic detection chain formed by a silicon avalanche photodiode, a low-noise and fast multistage amplifier, and a fast analog-to-digital converter.
GAs in Scattering Media Absorption Spectroscopy (GASMAS) is used to correlate the average pore size within mesoporous alumina samples to the broadening of the absorption lines of oxygen gas and water vapor entrapped within the pores. Collisions of gas molecules cause extra broadening to the absorption linewidths if the average time between collisions is smaller than the inverse of the linewidth of the absorption line. A gas molecule can collide either with another molecule or with the walls of its container. Hence, for a gas entrapped within a porous medium that has an average pore size comparable to the mean free path of intermolecular collisions, collisions of the gas molecules with the walls of the pores can cause extra broadening. This extra broadening is used to estimate the average size of the pores. At atmospheric pressure, the mean free path of intermolecular collision is about 100 nm and thus broadening due to collision with the walls of the pores should be noticeable for pore sizes of order of 100 nm or less. In this work, high resolution tunable singlemode diode lasers at 761 nm and 936 nm are employed to study the absorption from oxygen gas and water vapor, respectively. The samples used are made from porous pure 𝛼-alumina with average pore sizes ranging from 50 to 150 nm.
The broadening of the P9P9 absorption line of oxygen molecules entrapped in the pores of nanoporous alumina is studied using Gas in Scattering Media Absorption Spectroscopy (GASMAS). A narrow band tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), with emission peaking around 763 nm, is used to scan over the absorption line of the oxygen A-band. The oxygen line broadening in alpha alumina discs of pore sizes 150 nm, 80 nm and 50 nm, are measured to be 3.8 GHz, 4.2 GHz, and 4.8 GHz, respectively, and compared with the measured open-air oxygen line broadening of 3.3 GHz. The oxygen line broadenings are correlated with studied samples pore sizes and are found to agree well with the line broadenings evaluated using a model based on collisions of confined oxygen molecules with the bulk sample pore walls.
The commercial availability of laser diodes emitting in the blue spectral region offer excellent opportunity for using them in the detection of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas. Nitrogen dioxide, which is one of the main air pollutants, has strong light absorption cross-section in the blue spectral region. In this paper, a tunable blue diode laser in Littrow external-cavity configuration is investigated. The output power, spectral line-width and tunable range are measured. The results will be used to select a suitable external cavity diode laser (ECDL) system based on a multimode blue laser diode to be employed for the detection of NO2 gas.
High-intensity nanosecond Nd:YAG laser pulses were used to induce crystallization in saturated solutions of the nitrate salts; sodium nitrate (NaNO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3) and calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] to produce small micro-meter in size crystals. The crystallization of nitrate salts has been specifically chosen to study as these salts have tremendous applications over a wide spectrum of industries such as food, agriculture, dyes, and solar cells production. The induced crystallization in the nitrate salts solutions was mainly triggered by shock waves produced in the solution by directly focusing the laser pulses of 80 mJ pulse energy and 532 nm wavelength into nitrate salts solutions for a period of time ranging from 1 to 15 minutes. The yielded small crystals were characterized using different techniques, namely; x-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM) as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM). A comparison has been drawn between crystals formed conventionally without photochemical intervention versus crystals formed by laser-induced shock wave crystallization mechanism. Finally, the grown crystals size and size distribution were related to laser irradiation time and energy in the three solutions.
KEYWORDS: Optical amplifiers, Interference (communication), Signal to noise ratio, Amplifiers, Avalanche photodetectors, Signal processing, Photodetectors, Signal detection, Distortion
Nowadays, lidar is widely used in many atmospheric applications by taking advantage of the properties of laser sources and the progress made, both in the development of new photodetectors and in the sophistication of signal conditioning and processing. Wide dynamic range is an essential feature for atmospheric lidar when the backscattered laser signal varies over many orders of magnitude. Therefore, the lidar detection chain must incorporate a device that ensures this important feature. This can be performed using a variable amplification stage in the electronic detection chain. The amplification circuit developed consists of a low noise preamplifier LNP) cascaded with a variable gain amplifier (VGA). The amplification circuit can be then operated in several gain modes, which enables a wide range of input signals to be processed over several orders of magnitude (~105). Low noise, high speed, linear response and stability are the main specifications pursued during the design. The amplification circuit is a main part of the optoelectronic detection chain that consists mainly of a receiving optics, a photodetector (Si APD), a low noise preamplifier (LNP: 20 dB / 300 MHz / 0.7 nV/Hz1/2), a variable gain amplifier (VGA: 0 – 60 dB / 375 MHz / 1 nV/Hz1/2) and a fast analog-to-digital converter (ADC: 20 MHz / 12 bit). Noise, which can significantly affect the performance of the detection chain, is discussed along with the techniques used to reduce it. In addition, noise equivalent power (NEP), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detection limit achieved are presented.
Collisions of gas molecules with the walls of small pores in nanoporous materials can cause the width of gas absorption lines to become wider. Also, the effective absorption path lengths through the gas become longer due to multi-scattering within the nanoporous materials. GAs in Scattering Media Absorption Spectroscopy (GASMAS) is an effective technique that can differentiate between the absorption from the gas within pores and the absorption from the bulk of scattering materials. A Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) emitting around 760 nm is used to investigate the absorption from molecular oxygen gas trapped within mesoporous alumina Al2O3. The pore size of the alumina samples are also characterized based on Barrett, Joyner and Halenda (BJH) method. In this work, we will present the correlation between the pore sizes of the mesoporous alumina samples the width of the absorption line of molecular oxygen gas under different experimental conditions.
LIDAR systems are used in many atmospheric research applications. They consist mainly of a transmitting subsystem that emits a pulsed laser beam into the atmosphere and a receiving subsystem for laser backscattered signal detection and analysis. Many of these atmospheric applications requires high accuracy LIDAR systems, which is the focus of this article. In this paper, we provide information on the basic characteristics and performance of a detection chain for a LIDAR system used in remote sensing of the atmosphere. The detection chain, which is characterized by its low-cost and low-power consumption, allows high spatial and temporal resolution, reliable operation and wide dynamic range: A fast, low noise and high efficiency photodetector used in analog mode convert the detected optical backscattered signal into an electrical signal. A wide bandwidth, low noise and low distortion analog variable gain amplifier (DC-300 MHz) amplifies the electrical signal generated by the photodetector before digitization. The variation of the gain of the amplifier makes it possible to obtain a wide dynamic range, which extends over several orders of magnitude (∼105). A fast analog-to-digital converter (ADC 20 MHz digitization rate, 12-bit resolution sampling) that permits a spatial resolution of 7.5 m follows the amplification stage. A high-speed data interface to computer allows fast readout of the acquired signal. Noise and interference, which can affect the performance of the detection chain, will be also discussed.
The external differential quantum efficiency, defined as the ratio of number of photons emitted per unit time to number of carriers passing the laser diode junction, is known to be sensitive to laser diode’s operating temperature. In this paper, high-resolution spectral emissions of a commercially available GaN-based blue laser diode are measured and utilized to study the effect of temperature on the external differential quantum efficiency and over the operating temperature range of 270 – 330 °K. Upon studying the L-I curves and over the full range of laser diode’s operating current and temperature, three distinct temperature regimes of the quantum efficiency were identified with the regime of temperature range 285 -301 °K yielding the highest temperature stability. In addition to experimentally determining the characteristic temperature of the laser diode, the effect of non-radiative recombination and free carrier absorption processes on external differential quantum efficiency will be discussed.
Typical emission spectra of GaN-based blue laser diodes are known to have irregular shapes. Hence, well-resolved study of their spectra may help in understanding the origin of their spectral shapes irregularity. In this paper, the spectra of a commercial GaN-based blue laser diode are studied as a function of injection current and temperature using a spectrometer with highresolution of 0.003-nm over the spectral region 440 – 450 nm. The obtained laser spectra are used to track the longitudinal modes evolution as a function of operating currents and temperatures as well as to precisely map single mode operation. In addition, yielded laser spectra will be utilized to evaluate few parameters related to the laser diode, such as mode spacing, optical gain, slope efficiency and threshold current at certain temperature.
Nitrogen dioxide, one of the main air pollutants, has strong light absorption cross section in the blue region of the optical spectrum. Recent availability of blue laser diodes provides possibility of detecting NO2 in open-air paths with very low detection limits. However, in the blue region, the sharp features of the NO2 spectrum is relatively broad with typical width of tenths of nanometer. This poses a serious challenge for implementing traditional direct or wave-modulated tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. In this study, we report the usage of a blue laser diode with multi longitudinal modes tuned over about one nanometer in detecting trace amount of NO2 gas. Details of the setup and its optimization will be presented along with a comparison of its performance with other NO2 detection optical methods.
Preliminary measurements of profiles of aerosol/cloud in the lower atmosphere using a homemade stationary groundbased lidar system will be presented. In addition, information on basic characteristics and performance of the lidar system will be provided. Aerosol/Cloud lidar system in monostatic coaxial configuration uses the fundamental (1064 nm) and the second harmonic (532 nm) of a pulsed solid state Nd:YAG laser to provide information on the relative concentration and spatial distribution of aerosol particles and cloud water droplets. Beam expander is used to reduce the laser beam divergence before to be transmitted into the atmosphere. In this study, high-resolution vertical profiles from the near ground up to 15 km altitude are obtained. A Newtonian telescope of diameter 400 mm with an adjustable field of view (FOV) is used to collect the elastic backscattered signal. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) is used for the 532 nm wavelength detection channel, while an avalanche photodiode (APD) is used for the 1064 nm wavelength detection channel. The optoelectronic detection channels use two similar very high frequency preamplification circuit. Data are acquired with a nominal spatial resolution of 7.5 m using a 12-bit 20 MHz analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for each channel. Many functions, such as, range determination, background subtraction, digitization, and averaging are performed by the receiver subsystem. In addition, spatial resolution and linear dynamic range were optimized during signal processing.
A fast- and low-noise optical receiver using a silicon avalanche photodiode coupled to a very high-frequency preamplifier circuit is developed, characterized, and tested. The gain, bandwidth, and noise of the preamplifier are optimized to the avalanche photodiode performance to achieve detection and amplification without distortion of the fast and weak optical signal. A low noise level at the preamplifier circuit input of only 1.6 nV/Hz1/2 and a very good linearity from 1 kHz to 280 MHz are achieved. In addition, a good detection performance of the optical receiver is attained: A low-noise equivalent power of only 1.2 pW/Hz1/2 and a minimum signal-to-noise ratio requirement of only 3 are reached. Furthermore, the maximum detection range of the light detection and ranging remote sensing system, using the developed optical receiver, is estimated.
A Fast and Low-noise Optical Receiver using a Silicon Avalanche Photodiode with an internal gain of 100 connected to a Broadband Preamplifier Circuit was developed. The optical receiver and the receiving optics form the detection channel of a Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Remote Sensing System used to measure profiles of aerosol and cloud backscatter at the near-infrared wavelength of 1064 nm. While a 10 Hz repetition rate solid state pulsed Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1.06 μm and the emission optics form the transmission channel. The preamplifier circuit with a 300 MHz bandwidth and a gain of 10 is capable of accommodating laser pulses of 10 ns full width at half maximum. The preamplifier matches 50 Ω impedances at the input and the output sides. The input matching is used to reduce the Johnson noise and hence a much better sensitivity was achieved. The output matching was useful when this preamplifier is to be connected to other instrumentation requiring 50 Ω impedance matching or to be interfaced in cascade to increase the overall gain of the detection chain. These 50 Ω impedances at the input and output sides, also allows using the preamplifier coupled with a photodiode at the input in the detection of fast signals without distortion or integration. A low noise level at the preamplifier circuit input of only 1.6 nV/Hz1/2 and a very good linearity from 1 KHz to 280 MHz were achieved, allowing the transmission of the backscattered signal to the acquisition system without distortion. In addition, the experimental characterization of the optical receiver coupled with the receiving optics showed good detection performance of the lidar detection channel: A low Noise Equivalent Power of 50 pW/Hz1/2 and a high Signal-to- Noise Ratio of 2 were achieved. Furthermore, the maximal range of the lidar remote sensing system was estimated.
Temperature effects on the spectral lines of two Fabry-Perot GaN-based blue laser diodes obtained from Toptica and Roithner Laser Tech are experimentally investigated over the temperature range 5 °C to 60 °C in steps of 0.5 °C. A high resolution monochromator SPEX 1403 with a nominal resolution of 0.003 nm is used in this study. A detailed comparison on the number of modes, mode spacing, emission range and change of emission wavelength per degree Celsius will be presented in this paper. The results of this comparison are used to investigate the suitability of the employment of these laser diodes in open-path detection of NO2 gas pollution.
High resolution spectral lines study is performed on the emissions of a blue laser diode as a function of applied current. The range of applied current used is between the threshold current of 20 mA and 100 mA with a 0.2 mA increment. With this range of current, the observed emission spectra are between 446 and 448 nm. Typically, 21 longitudinal modes are observed with a mode spacing of 0.05 nm. This mode spacing is found to be in good agreement with the predicted values calculated using the GaN index of refraction and the length of laser cavity. The peak location of each longitudinal mode is measured to shift uniformly with a rate of 0.0045 nm/mA. The intensity and wavelength of each longitudinal mode are observed to be stable over extended period of time. Selected longitudinal modes will be employed to detect traces of pollution gases.
Availability of high intensity light emitting diodes in the blue region offer excellent opportunity for using them in active Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) to detect air pollution. Their smooth and relatively broad spectral emissions as well as their long life make them almost ideal light sources for active DOAS. In this study, we report the usage of a blue light emitting diode in an active DOAS setup to measure traces of NO2 gas and achieving few parts per billion detection limit for a path length of 300 m. Details of the setup will be presented along with the effects on measurement accuracy due to shifts in the measured spectra calibration and due to using theoretical instrument Gaussian function instead of the measured instrument function.
The pulse from a transversely excited atmospheric CO2 laser consists of a sharp spike followed by a long, drawn out tail
region spanning about 2-5 μs caused by the nitrogen gas in the laser cavity. The nitrogen tail is undesirable in many
applications because it decreases the average power of the laser pulse. High stability and energy-efficient laser-induced
plasma shutter to clip the nitrogen tail of CO2-TEA based DIAL is built. Optimum shutter gases pressures and laser
breakdown intensities are reported. Clipped laser pulses are also field tested.
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