Thermal bistability-based method for real-time optimization of ultralow-threshold whispering gallery mode microlasers

Guoping Lin (1, 2) , Y. Candela (1) , O. Tillement (3) , Zhiping Cai (2) , V. Lefèvre-Seguin (1) , J. Hare (1)

1 LKB (Lhomond) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
2 Xiamen University
3 LPCML - Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie des Matériaux Luminescents

A method based on thermal bistability for ultralow-threshold microlaser optimization is demonstrated. When sweeping the pump laser frequency across a pump resonance, the dynamic thermal bistability slows down the power variation. The resulting line shape modification enables a real-time monitoring of the laser characteristic. We demonstrate this method for a functionalized microsphere exhibiting a submicrowatt laser threshold. This approach is confirmed by comparing the results with a step-by-step recording in quasi-static thermal conditions.

Mots clés: Micro-optical devices; Thermal effects; Neodymium; Laser resonators; Microcavities

Domaines: Physique Quantique [quant-ph]; Optique [physics.optics]

Guoping Lin, Y. Candela, O. Tillement, Zhiping Cai, V. Lefèvre-Seguin, et al.. Thermal bistability-based method for real-time optimization of ultralow-threshold whispering gallery mode microlasers. Optics Letters, 2012, 37 (24), pp.5193-5195. ⟨10.1364/OL.37.005193⟩. ⟨hal-00518239v2⟩