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Although higher order Poincare (HOP) beams are attractive due to their unique advantages and various efforts have been made for the generation of HOP sphere beams, the current generation technologies suffer from both limited output power and narrow bandwidth, preventing further practical applications. In this paper, we report on a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) which can deliver high average power, on-demand arbitrary HOP sphere beams tunable across a wide spectral range in the near-infrared. The desired beam mode can be achieved by manipulating the geometric phase inside the OPO cavity to map the polarization to orbital angular momentum (OAM). Pumped by a Gaussian beam from an Yb-fiber laser, the generalized vector vortex femtosecond signal beams with spectral coverage from 1367 to 1650 nm are obtained. The device can produce over 200 mW structured beam signal power cross the complete tuning range with as much as 377 mW at 1480 nm for 2 W of input pump power. The proposed configuration, which shows superiorities of high average output power, flexible wavelength tunability and complete mode controlling property, may have direct implications in applications such as quantum optics and material processing.

We demonstrate a dual-wavelength, compact femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) with high-repetition-rate, which is harmonically pumped by a ~101 MHz Yb-doped fiber laser system. The dual-wavelength output is realized by exploiting the bidirectional off-axis pumping technique, and the multiplication of repetition rate is derived by placing a nonlinear crystal in a miniaturized V-type cavity with only 16.5 cm length. By adjusting the detuning degree of the pump at one end, the maximum dual-wavelength gap is 66 nm from 1497 to 1563 nm. The time interval between the dual wavelengths can be adjusted freely. This is the first report on a dual-wavelength with the high-repetition-rate of GHz-level, femtosecond OPO system.

Broadband fast-tunable laser sources are crucial elements for various spectroscopic applications. In this work we demonstrate a fast-tunable ultra-broadband non-collinear optical parametric oscillator which covers nearly the entire visible spectral range.

Soliton molecules, exhibiting similarities to molecular-like behavior, have attracted tremendous attention. With the dramatic recent advances in real time spectroscopic techniques as well as time-domain probes, the detailed nature of various soliton molecular has been revealed. Particularly, time-stretch dispersive Fourier transform (DFT) technique has been applied to unveil the complex internal dynamics of bound states. Nevertheless, the observation time frame of such technique is limited to hundreds of micro seconds mainly confined by the storage capability of the real time oscilloscopes, as well as by the number and the distribution of soliton pulses. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a new probing concept, orbital angular momentum (OAM)-resolved method, for visual extraction of long-term internal phase motions within soliton molecules produced by a mode locked laser.

Structured light beams that possess unique polarization distribution could offer a new degree of freedom for a variety of applications, and hence its flexible polarization manipulation is necessary. Here we experimentally report a heterodyne interference-based method for generating femtosecond cylindrical vector beam (CVB) with high-speed controllable rotated polarization states. The femtosecond CVBs are created through the superposition of two optical vortices with opposite handedness. The use of two acoustic-optical modulators (AOMs) with frequency differences allows to achieve polarization rotation in a hopping-free scheme at on demand speed. Up to 1 MHz of the rotation frequency is demonstrated by visualizing the fast rotation events through a fast-frame-rate CCD camera. Moreover, we show our method can be readily extended to produce higher order CVBs with more complex rotated polarization distributions. Such a simple yet versatile femtosecond polarization-controlled laser system has the capability to act as a nonlinear trapping platform, thus opening tremendous potential opportunities in the fields of micromachining, nanofabrication, and so force.

In this letter, we propose and demonstrate a practically compact 1-GHz repetition-rate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on MgO:PPLN crystal, which is harmonically pumped by a 53 MHz Yb-doped fiber laser. The multiplication of the repetition rate is derived by placing the nonlinear crystal in a miniaturized V-type cavity with 13.9 cm length. The near-infrared signal output pulses are tunable from 1350 nm to 1650 nm. The signal pulse duration across the complete tuning range is measured to be around 125 fs. Thanks to the high repetition rate, broadband tenability, and simplicity of the optical setup, this type of OPO holds promise for many applications.

We demonstrate the generation of few cycle mid-infrared (MIR) pulses from a self-compressed optical parametric oscillator (OPO), synchronously pumped by a 105 fs Yb3+ doped fiber laser system. By using a ring cavity design, 4.2-cycle (45.3 fs) MIR pulses at a central wavelength of 3250 nm (with a 10-dB bandwidth of 648 nm) are obtained in a simple, practical, and compact configuration. Detailed theoretical analysis and numerical simulation are performed to better understand the self-compression mechanism in such an OPO cavity. In addition, when pumped at 3.8 W, the OPO delivers idler output power up to 330 mW and the corresponding pump depletion is 74.7%.

Although the Raman fiber amplifiers are attractive for their unique advantages and various Raman fiber amplifiers in continuous wave (CW) regime were built, there are a few fundamental limitations for short-pulsed Raman fiber amplifiers. In this paper, we present a theoretical and experimental study on a novel method termed picosecond (ps) coherent Raman fiber amplification, where the stimulated Raman scattering is employed to generate high-quality femtosecond pulses from narrowband ps pump pulses, with high conversion efficiency and compact construction. Detailed numerical simulation reveals the nonlinear dynamics of the ps-coherent Raman fiber amplification in an Yb-doped gain fiber. The spectral filtering effect induced by finite Raman gain bandwidth significantly improves the temporal quality of the generated Raman pulses, similar to the well-known Mamyshev regenerator. By employing this method in a 4.5 m Yb-doped polarization maintaining double-clad fiber, 67 nJ, 76 fs nearly transmission limited Raman pulses are generated from narrowband (

We demonstrate free-space wavelength- and mode-division-multiplexed communications in the mid-infrared wavelength region. A total capacity of 300 Gbit/s is achieved using three wavelengths and two orbital angular momentum modes each carrying a 50-Gbit/s QPSK signal.

We demonstrate an orbital angular momentum (OAM)-resolved diagnostics that maps the temporal phase difference to spatial interference pattern to extract the long-term relative phase evolution behaviors in femtosecond doublet and triplet soliton molecules.

In this work, we present a femtosecond, fast tunable non-collinear optical parametric oscillator (NOPO) pumped by the third harmonic of a Yb-fiber laser. The NOPO covers nearly the complete visible spectral range from 440-720 nm.

Profiting from a breathing pulse design, we demonstrate a Kerr-lens mode locked non-collinear optical parametric oscillator, which is capable of delivering stable ultrabroadband signal spanning from 628 nm to 890 nm at -10 dB level.

We demonstrate a tunable femtosecond dual-beam-mode (cylindrical vector beam [CVB] and Gaussian beam [GB]), dual-signal-wavelength optical parametric oscillator based on a temperature-tuned lithium triborate crystal, synchronously pumped by a frequency-doubled mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser. When fixing the CVB wavelength at 780 nm, the central wavelength of the GB signal could be continuously tuned from 664 to 722 nm. The maximum total signal output power is 515 mW at a 4 W pump with dual-wavelength operation (664 and 780 nm). All the measured signal pulse durations are around 150 fs. Moreover, sum-frequency-generation with Gaussian mode tuning from 548 to 588 nm is obtained, with the maximum power of 52 mW at 548 nm. Thanks to the dual-channel configuration, the wavelengths of a CVB and GB can be tuned independently. Such a flexible and versatile configuration makes it a practical tool for many applications such as high-resolution microscopy and high-capacity optical communication.

Broadband nonlinear optical frequency conversion has attracted considerable interest in many applications, such as optical communication, frequency comb generation, and so on. In this letter, we report on the ultra-broadband second-harmonic generation (SHG) from the zinc oxide nano-tetrapod with less stringent phase-matching requirement. Using a super-continuum source together with an optical parametric oscillator as the excitation light, a broadband SHG with over-one-octave bandwidth spanning from the ultraviolet to near-infrared (375–1100 nm) is readily obtained. The SHG dependence of pump polarization and pump power is also characterized systematically. This nanoscale ultra-broadband optical converter may open a new way for various applications ranging from imaging to on-chip all-optical signal processing operations.

Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag is a main byproduct produced during the converter steelmaking process. The poor grindability of BOF slag limits its added-value application. In this paper, the grinding characteristics of unmodified and reconstructed BOF slag were compared. Additionally, the grinding property of reconstructed steel slag was also studied after SiC foaming. The results show that the solid solution of divalent metal oxides’ RO phase, considered as the hardly grinding phase, discomposes after lime-bauxite reconstruction. The characteristics of BOF slag were tested through particle size analysis, XRD, SEM and MIP. The SSA (specific suface area) and the particle diameter of unmodified BOF slag could reach 303.1 m2/kg and 51.75 µm after 10 min of grinding, but that of reconstructed BOF slag could reach 354.5 m2/kg and 18.16 µm after the same grinding time, respectively. The grinding efficiency of steel slag was obviously increased and the particle characteristics were improved after foaming modification. BOF formed as a porous structure after SiC foaming, its porosity, SSA, and particle diameter can reach 31.79%, 424.4 m2/kg, and 24.36 μm and increased by 10.31%, 19.72%, and 39.04%, compared with the reconstructed steel slag of undoped foaming agent, respectively, and the grindability was further improved. A theoretical basis for large-scale BOF slag utilization is provided.

Ultrafast visible radiation is of great importance for many applications ranging from spectroscopy to metrology. Because some regions in the visible range are not covered by laser gain media, optical parametric oscillators offer an added value. Besides a high-power broadband laser source, the ability to rapidly tune the frequency of pulses with high-power spectral density offers an extra benefit for experiments such as multicolor spectroscopy or imaging. Here, we demonstrate a broadband, high-power, rapidly tunable femtosecond noncollinear optical parametric oscillator with a signal tuning range of 440–720 nm in the visible range. The oscillator is pumped by the third harmonic of an Yb-fiber laser at 345 nm with a repetition rate of 50.2 MHz. Moreover, the signal wavelength is tuned by changing the cavity length only, and output powers up to 452 mW and pulse durations down to 268 fs are achieved. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first demonstration of a quickly tunable femtosecond optical parametric oscillator that covers nearly the entire visible spectral range with high output power.

Using the mean-field normalized Lugiato–Lefever equation, we theoretically investigate the dynamics of cavity soliton and comb generation in the presence of Raman effect and the third-order dispersion. Both of them can induce the temporal drift and frequency shift. Based on the moment analysis method, we analytically obtain the temporal and frequency shift, and the results agree with the direct numerical simulation. Finally, the compensation and enhancement of the soliton spectral between the Raman-induced self-frequency shift and soliton recoil are predicted. Our results pave the way for further understanding the soliton dynamics and spectral characteristics, and providing an effective route to manipulate frequency comb.

We propose a high-efficiency and compact 910-MHz femtosecond optical parametric oscillator, which is harmonically pumped by a ∼101 MHz Yb doped fiber laser system. The OPO is capable of delivering watt-level, power-enhanced signals across the telecommunication waveband. The signal power enhancement is realized by exploiting the bidirectional pumping technique. A maximum signal power of 1.04 W at 1502 nm is obtained for an input pump power of 3.8 W. Tunable near-infrared signal pulses with a wavelength range between 1350 and 1610 nm are measured, and the pulse durations vary from 193 to 464 fs. This compact and economic design provides a solution for efficient high repetition rate pulse generation over a large wavelength span, which will be beneficial for a variety of practical applications.

We demonstrate a femtosecond optical parametric oscillator that can generate orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength femtosecond pulses. Two periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystals with mutually orthogonal crystal axes are pumped by a single femtosecond fiber laser. The central wavelength of the two orthogonally polarized signal pulses can be continuously tuned from 1387 to 1588 nm with a maximum frequency separation of 27 THz. Because of the orthogonal dual-crystal scheme, the system is immune to the coherent coupling effect, thus overcoming the limitation of minimum frequency separation.

Fibers that operate by the photonic bandgap effect guide light only within a limited frequency range and broadband transmission is highly desirable for the terahertz (THz) frequency range. A semi-analytical approach is used for the design of broadband porous-core bandgap THz fibers based on a honeycomb and Kagome lattice of air holes. We show how the design approach allows a fast and accurate determination of the mode indices for different sizes of the core air holes. In particular, a reduction of the central air hole size from that of the cladding air holes allows both fibers to operate within the first bandgap, enabling broadband transmission within the frequency range of 0.7–2 THz. These fibers will be promising for THz wave transmission.

We demonstrate the controllable generation of infrared dispersive waves (DWs) from customized, in-house fabricated silica microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) by manipulating the location of zero dispersion wavelength (ZDW) through the structure of the fibers. The highly enriched shaping mechanism of arrested soliton in the MOFs with two ZDWs provides a technique for efficient energy transfer into the targeted eye-safe wavelengths at 1.7 and 2.0 µm by the virtue of DW formation.

Internal motions in femtosecond soliton molecules provide insight into universal collective dynamics in various nonlinear systems. Here we introduce an orbital-angular-momentum (OAM)-resolved method that maps the relative phase motion within a femtosecond soliton molecule into the rotational movement of the interferometric beam profile of two optical vortices. By this means, long-term relative phase evolutions of doublet and triplet soliton molecules generated in an all-polarization-maintaining mode-locked Er-fiber laser are revealed. This simple and practical OAM-resolved method represents a promising way to directly visualize the complex phase dynamics in a diversity of multisoliton structures.

Optical vortices, which carry orbital angular momentum, offer special capabilities in a host of applications. A single-laser source with dual-beam-mode output may open up new research fields of nonlinear optics and quantum optics. We demonstrate a dual-channel scheme to generate femtosecond, dual-wavelength, and dual-beam-mode tunable signals in the near infrared wavelength range. Dual-wavelength operation is derived by stimulating two adjacent periods of a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Pumped by an Yb-doped fiber laser with a Gaussian (lp = 0) beam, two tunable signal emissions with different beam modes are observed simultaneously. Although one of the emissions can be tuned from 1520 to 1613 nm with the Gaussian (ls = 0) beam, the other is capable of producing a vortex spatial profile with different vortex orders (ls = 0 to 2) tunable from 1490 to 1549 nm. The proposed system provides unprecedented freedom and will be an exciting platform for super-resolution imaging, nonlinear optics, multidimensional quantum entanglement, etc.

Profiting from a breathing pulse design, we demonstrate a Kerr-lens mode locked non-collinear optical parametric oscillator, which is capable of delivering stable ultrabroadband signal spanning from 628 nm to 890 nm at -10 dB level.

We demonstrate a high average power, widely tunable, dielectric-mirror-less optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on MgO:PPLN (MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate), which is synchronously pumped by a 1040 nm femtosecond fiber laser. The OPO does not require any dielectric coating mirrors. By exploiting the four-prism sequence system, combined with the gold mirrors, the oscillating laser pulses could span the spectral regions in both the signal and idler, and the output pulses of OPO can be tuned across 1367–1914 nm in the signal, and 2152–4480 nm in the idler as well. This device can deliver as much as 1.2 W of average power at 1482 nm in the signal and up to 411 mW at 3487 nm in the idler, respectively. The ultrabroad-band spectra tunability, along with the high average output property, makes the dielectric-mirror-less OPO an attractive alternative to conventional OPOs.

We report a four-prism-pumped all-gold-mirror idler resonant optical parametric oscillator (OPO) driven by an Yb-fiber femtosecond laser. The idler is tuned from 2560–4180 nm, with the corresponding signal covering 1380–1825 nm.

We demonstrate a passively mode-locked fiber laser with excessive normal dispersion (ENDi)yielding 230 nJ pulses with 69 fs dechirped duration. Numerical simulation indicates the energy scalability to over $1\ \mu \mathrm{J}$ is possible.

We characterize the relative intensity noise (RIN) and relative timing jitter (RTJ) between the signal and pump pulses of optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) seeded by three different seed sources. Compared to a white-light continuum (WLC) seeded- and an optical parametric generator (OPG) seeded OPA, the narrowband CW seeded OPA exhibits the lowest root-mean-square (RMS) RIN and RTJ of 0.79% and 0.32 fs, respectively, integrated from 1 kHz to the Nyquist frequency of 1.25 MHz. An improved numerical model based on a forward Maxwell equation (FME) is built to investigate the transfers of the pump and seed’s noise to the resulting OPAs’ intensity and temporal fluctuation. Both the experimental and numerical study indicate that the low level of noise from the narrowband CW seeded OPA is attributed to the elimination of the RIN and RTJ coupled from the noise of seed source, being one of the important contributions to RIN and timing jitter in the other two OPAs. The approach to achieve lower level of noise from this CW seeded OPA by driving it close to saturation is also discussed with the same numerical model.

We describe a semi-analytical approach for modeling fibers which guide THz radiation in a porous core by the photonic bandgap effect due to a honeycomb cladding of air holes. These porous-core honeycomb bandgap THz fibers (PCHBTFs) are modeled as equivalent step-index fibers (SIFs). The effective core index of the SIFs can be solved analytically as that of the fundamental space-filling mode of the triangular lattice comprising the porous core. The cladding index is taken as that of the bandgap edge with the lower index and is computed numerically. The validity of the analogy between PCHBTFs with SIFs is established by comparing the mode profiles, mode number, mode indices, and the fraction of mode power in the core obtained for a 19-cell core multimode THz fiber by the semi-analytical theory with results by finite element method. The subtle difference in mode degeneracy of the PCHBTFs and SIFs is briefly discussed. The semi-analytical theory also predicts that a seven-cell core PCHBTF is effectively single mode with higher-order modes pushed close to the bandgap edge.

We characterize, for the first time, relative intensity noise and timing jitter properties of the OPG output pulses based on the balanced optical cross-correlator technique, which is in a fairly good agreement with numerical simulation.

We demonstrate experimentally a passively relative carrier-envelope phase (CEP)-locking, broadly tunable and robust laser source which is based on narrowband cw injection seeding of a two stage femtosecond optical parametric amplifier (OPA).

A high repetition-rate, few-cycle light pulse is of great importance due to its potential for a variety of applications, including two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy and time-resolved imaging of molecular structures, which benefit from its ultrabroadband spectrum and ultrashort pulse duration. The generation of an ultrabroadband coherent spectrum is one of the frontiers of ultrafast optics, and accessing such few-cycle pulses is presently under active exploration. Here, we demonstrate a simple yet effective pulse synthesizer. It is based on two continuous-wave (cw) injection-seeded high-repetition-rate optical parametric amplification systems and the following self-phase-modulation dominated spectra-broadening processes. The combined spectrum spans from 1250 to 1670 nm, and a near Fourier-transform-limited 3.9-cycle (19.2 fs) synthesized pulse with a central wavelength of 1470 nm is obtained accordingly.