Ultrafast absorption recovery dynamics of 1300 nm quantum dot saturable absorber mirrors

M. P. Lumb, E. Clarke, E. Harbord, P. Spencer, R. Murray, F. Masia, P. Borri, W. Langbein, C. G. Leburn, C. Jappy, N. K. Metzger, C Tom A Brown, W. Sibbett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We compare the performance of two quantum dot saturable absorber mirrors with one device operating at the quantum dot ground state transition whereas the other operates at the first excited state transition. Time-resolved photoluminescence and heterodyne four-wave mixing experiments demonstrate faster recovery of the excited-state device compared to the ground-state device. Femtosecond pulses were achieved with both devices, with the ground-state device producing 91 fs pulses and the excited-state device producing 86 fs pulses in a Cr:forsterite laser. The fast absorption recovery dynamics indicates the potential of devices exploiting excited-state transitions for use in high repetition rate lasers.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages3
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume95
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jul 2009

Keywords

  • excited states
  • ground states
  • mirrors
  • multiwave mixing
  • optical pulse generation
  • optical saturable absorption
  • photoluminescence
  • semiconductor quantum dots
  • time resolved spectra

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ultrafast absorption recovery dynamics of 1300 nm quantum dot saturable absorber mirrors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this