Noise characterization of mode-locked color-center laser sources

By using an ultrahigh-speed photodetector and wide bandwidth spectrum analyzer combinations, a noise characterization of the pulse train from a mode-locked KCl:Tl color-center laser has been performed. Amplitude and phase (timing jitter) noise content are quantified and compared when the laser is operated in both synchronously mode-locked and coupled-cavity mode-locked configurations. By deliberately mismatching the color-center laser cavity frequency with respect to that of the Nd:YAG pump-laser and examining resultant noise burst power spectra, it has been confirmed that the coupled-cavity mode-locking process exhibits passive characteristics.<
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