Resonator Coupling of Two Ring Cavity, Argon-Ion Lasers

摘要

This thesis reports on a study of phasing two continuous-wave, resonator-coupled, argon-ion ring lasers. Rings with cavity lengths of about 3.4 meters were formed from Spectra Physics Model 164 and 165 lasers. These rings were coupled in several configurations, and portions of each ring output were combined to form a mixed beam, which was monitored for phase locking (frequency locking and coherence) with a Fabry-Perot scanning interferometer and a fast photodiode. Short term phase locking was achieved (2.5 msce) when at least one ring was operated in multimode. Precise frequency tuning of rigs operating in single mode was not possible, therefore phase locking of two single mode rings' lasing thresholds did not affect phase locking, but increasing the coupling strength between the resonators increased the duration of phase locking activity. Suppression of intracavity air turbulence increased the frequency range within which phase locking occurred.