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Physical Review A

Polarization control mechanisms in vectorial bistable lasers for one-frequency systems

Guy Ropars, A. Le Floch, Roger Le Naour

Published Jul 1, 1992• 36 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The basic mechanisms of the polarization switching in vectorial bistable lasers are studied both theoretically and experimentally versus internal parameters. In particular, by scanning the frequency of a gas laser with two linearly polarized eigenstates, two quite different flipping processes with hysteresis occur according to the linear-phase-anisotropy value of the cavity. Indeed, when the anisotropy increases, rotation and inhibition mechanisms appear successively. The variations of the hysteresis loop for different anisotropy and excitation values are theoretically found to be opposed in the two processes. Additional evolutions of the polarization, such as multiple switchings in the inhibition mechanism and ``hybrid'' hysteresis loops, are predicted. The experiments, essentially performed on a monomode 3.39-\ensuremath{\mu}m $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}^{20}$Ne laser containing an adjustable linear phase anisotropy, confirm the existence of the two processes and their corresponding properties. These processes may also occur in other quasi-isotropic lasers versus other internal parameters, such as, for instance, the injection current in semiconductor lasers. In this case the TE and TM modes flip only in the inhibition mechanism when the bistability conditions are satisfied. The knowledge of the basic flipping mechanisms in the laser itself enables us to understand and realize the external optical-polarization control by an anisotropic feedback (one-frequency systems). Induced-rotation and induced-inhibition mechanisms are then theoretically predicted and experimentally verified. Sensitive optical gates are realized by varying the feedback phase in both processes.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.46.623

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The basic mechanisms of the polarization switching in vectorial bistable lasers are studied both theoretically and experimentally versus internal parameters. In particular, by scanning the frequency of a gas laser with two linearly polarized eigenstates, two quite different flipping processes with hysteresis occur according to the linear-phase-anisotropy value of the cavity. Indeed, when the anisotropy increases, rotation and inhibition mechanisms appear successively. The variations of the hysteresis loop for different anisotropy and excitation values are theoretically found to be opposed in the two processes. Additional evolutions of the polarization, such as multiple switchings in the inhibition mechanism and ``hybrid'' hysteresis loops, are predicted. The experiments, essentially performed on a monomode 3.39-\ensuremath{\mu}m 3\ensuremath−20^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}^{20}3\ensuremath−20Ne laser containing an adjustable linear phase anisotropy, confirm the existence of the two processes and their corresponding properties. These processes may also occur in other quasi-isotropic lasers versus other internal parameters, such as, for instance, the injection current in semiconductor lasers. In this case the TE and TM modes flip only in the inhibition mechanism when the bistability conditions are satisfied. The knowledge of the basic flipping mechanisms in the laser itself enables us to understand and realize the external optical-polarization control by an anisotropic feedback (one-frequency systems). Induced-rotation and induced-inhibition mechanisms are then theoretically predicted and experimentally verified. Sensitive optical gates are realized by varying the feedback phase in both processes.
The all-optical control of the polarization in a vectorial bistable monomode laser by injection with a second laser is analyzed theoretically and performed experimentally. The polarization is shown to switch following either an externally induced rotation or an externally induced inhibition mechanism. The usual theory of scalar-locking phenomena is extended to vectorial systems. We show that there is a single locking range in the induced rotation process occurring for low phase anisotropy values, whereas there are two distinct locking ranges in the induced inhibition process for higher anisotropy values. The theoretical results are in good agreement with experiments realized with 3He–20Ne lasers. By scanning the injected signal frequency, optical gates with high signal-to-noise ratios are experimentally obtained.
The basic mechanisms of external all-optical control of polarization bistabilities are isolated in one- and two-frequency systems. Induced rotation and induced inhibition mechanisms by vectorial injection in lasers are theoretically predicted and experimentally shown in both systems. The sensitivity of the vectorial systems leads to subfemtojoule switching energies, which correspond to the theoretical threshold values. A reduction by four orders of magnitude compared to the lowest energy demonstrated in scalar passive systems is obtained.
The light of a quasi-isotropic, single-mode gas laser is linearly polarized for a line ${J}_{a}=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}_{b}=2$. However, the azimuth of polarization can vary inside the line. Among the many different effects which cause these variations, we describe the role played by the detector optical feedback. We show experimentally that its amplitude and phase can be varied in a controlled manner in order to obtain abrupt switches between two perpendicular polarization states. Polarization bistability and hysteresis effects can then be commanded and studied from the outside of the laser.
We show that, in an optically pumped resonant $J=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0$ laser, a gain anisotropy is induced by a linearly polarized coherent pump beam that can be balanced or countered by xxx-yyy cavity-loss anisotropies, leading to switching between the xxx and yyy linearly polarized states of the generated laser field as the laser intensity is increased. This switching is not brought about by selection of the mode with the maximum emission intensity. A domain of bistability between the two linearly polarized states is found, whose width depends on the value of the decay rate of the two photon coherence induced among the sublevels of the J=1J=1J=1 level manifold. Differently from the incoherently pumped $J=1\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{J}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0$ laser, the decay rate for the magnetic dipole in that manifold has no influence on the polarization of the emission.
The polarization properties of a single-mode operating gas laser in a small axial magnetic field (field splitting\ensuremath{\ll}natural linewidth) with an initial cavity anisotropy are considered in detail. Expressions are given for the effects on the polarization parameters due to the active medium, the external field, and the initial anisotropy of the cavity. The cooperation of these three effects is discussed. Existing theories are in this respect shown to be either incomplete or inadequate. Specializations are made to several types of atomic transitions and cavity anisotropies. A group of low-field polarization phenomena observed on the He-Ne 1.153-\ensuremath{\mu} mode is theoretically discussed. In particular, it is shown that the observed polarization flip by tuning through the line center and the hysteresis effect, observed by Kannelaud and Culshaw, can be completely understood assuming a cavity whose main anisotropy is a linear phase anisotropy. At zero or very small magnetic field the theory predicts a preference for linear or circular polarization, depending on the type of atomic transition.