Accession Number:

ADA483325

Title:

Measuring the Dispersion in Laser Cavity Mirrors using White-Light Interferometry

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT/DEPT OF ENGINEERING PHYSICS

Personal Author(s):

• Goodspeed, Allison S.

Report Date:

2008-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

76.0

Abstract:

Terahertz radiation is an emerging field that has far reaching applications. There is a need for portable and affordable terahertz sources that may be used for detection of structural weaknesses in aerospace composites. One possibility for terahertz generation is a femtosecond CrLiSAF laser. However, controlling intracavity dispersion is necessary in order to get the ultrashort pulses needed to generate terahertz radiation. This research measures dispersion of the chirped femtosecond intracavity mirrors by employing white-light interferometry and explains the theory behind the curve-fitting process used to calculate dispersion. To compensate for the narrow reflectivity band of the mirrors, a CaF2 calcium fluoride window was used to increase the number of spectral fringes in the interferogram. A cavity was designed using these mirrors, and the CrLiSAF laser was successfully modelocked.

Descriptors:

• *MODE LOCKED LASERS
• *INTERFEROMETRY
• INSTRUMENTATION
• PULSE COMPRESSION
• LASER MIRRORS
• METROLOGY
• DISPERSIONS
• CALCIUM FLUORIDES
• PULSED LASERS
• MEASUREMENT
• WHITE LIGHT

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
• Optics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE