There is significant interest in developing laser wavelengths between 700 and 800 nm that may then be frequency doubled to the UV for applications in spectroscopy and atomic physics. We present our most recent results on both a 739 nm AlGaAs/AlGaInP VECSEL, where we demonstrate 150 mW of CW power suitable for frequency doubling to the Yb+ cooling transition at 369.5 nm, and a 780nm AlGaAs/AlGaInP VECSEL which was utilised in a novel demonstration of second harmonic generation in a Zinc-indiffused MgO:PPLN waveguide. In the latter we have generated 1 mW of power at 390 nm.
We present an investigation into the resolution of blazed chirped Bragg grating spectrometers. These are dispersive spectrometers that diffract light out of a waveguide at a wavelength dependent angle, whilst focusing the light. The spectral resolution is found to be inversely proportional to grating length; previously used fabrication schemes limited the grating length (and hence resolution) when creating compact devices. We propose and implement a solution to this problem by varying the blaze angle of a Bragg grating along its length. Initial results show the fabrication of longer gratings (while preserving focal length) and an increase in FWHM resolution from
0.57 nm to 0.52 nm. This increase in resolution is thought to be limited by the appearance of aberrations which can be corrected for in future devices.
Novel research-inspired outreach activities allow scientists and members of the public to engage in a conversation, increasing the public’s understanding and interest in scientific research. This paper reviews outreach and public engagement initiatives undertaken by researchers from the University of Southampton’s Optical Engineering and Quantum Photonics Group during a 5-year research program grant entitled Building Large Optical Quantum States. The activities have been supported by a UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council program grant and institutional, national and international professional organizations. The paper discusses activities and hand-outs that have been developed to increase the visibility and public understanding of integrated-photonics fabrication and testing facilities, including a cleanroom-based process for the design and fabrication of quantum outreach chips. More than 1,000 of these chips have been distributed to children, parents and government officials in public events and the activities have contributed towards the authors’ research group receiving the 2017 South East England Physics Network Highly Commended Award for Best Research Group. This paper also discusses the impact of these activities and lessons learned.
A pair of external cavity diode lasers are fabricated using an integrated planar Bragg grating. The planar waveguide and Bragg reflector is UV-written within a glass-on-silicon chip. Intensity isolated, continuous wavelength tuning at > 1kHz modulation rate is acheived using micro-heating elements fabricated directly over the Bragg grating. Low RIN (<140dB) and low linewidth (δν ~ 200 kHz) operation is found using a heterodyne measurement. We demonstrate the lasers operating in phase-locked loop configuration where one laser is frequency-offset locked to the other.
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