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A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Interaction Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 19598

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhaohong Liu

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Guest Editor

Center for Advanced Laser Technology (CALT), Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
Interests: nonlinear optics; high-power laser; stimulated Brillouin scattering; solid-state laser; spectral imaging; microimaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jiawei Sun

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Guest Editor

Competence Center for Biomedical Laser Systems (BIOLAS), Laboratory of Measurement and Sensor System Technique (MST), Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtzstrasse 18, 01069 Dresden, Germany
Interests: fiber-optics; digital holography; wavefront shaping; deep learning; quantitative phase imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Sensen Li

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Guest Editor

Science and Technology Electro-Optical Information Security Control Laboratory, Weiwu Road 9, Tianjin 300308, China
Interests: phase retrieval; deep learning; laser; wavefront shaping; laser drive wide spectrum; multi-mode fiber

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to announce a call for papers for our upcoming Special Issue named “Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions” in Photonics. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for researchers to demonstrate their latest research on high-power laser and light–matter interaction techniques, with a focus on high-power lasers, advanced imaging techniques, fiber-optics, adaptive optics, and computational laser systems. We invite original research articles and reviews that contribute to these topics. The scope of this Special Issue covers the latest advances in the experimental, theoretical, and computational aspects of light propagation in media and its applications in optical imaging. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

High-power laser technology and applications;
Optical neural networks and machine learning in optics;
Fiber-optic sensing and communication;
Adaptive optics and wavefront shaping;
Short pulse laser generation via non-linear optics;
Brillouin scattering and its applications;
Solid-state laser systems and their applications;
Spectral imaging and its applications;
Quantum imaging and quantum optics.

We believe that this Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in high-power lasers, light–matter interactions and related fields. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Zhaohong Liu
Dr. Jiawei Sun
Dr. Sensen Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Photonics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

high-power laser technology and applications
optical neural networks and machine learning in optics
fiber-optic sensing and communication
adaptive optics and wavefront shaping
short pulse laser
brillouin scattering and its applications, solid-state laser systems and their applications
spectral imaging and its applications
quantum imaging and quantum optics

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 170 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

High-Power Lasers and Light–Matter Interactions

by Zhaohong Liu, Sensen Li and Jiawei Sun

Photonics 2025, 12(5), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12050464 - 9 May 2025

Viewed by 189

Abstract

High-power laser systems and the study of light–matter interactions at high intensities are crucial for numerous scientific and technological fields, ranging from industrial materials processing [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

Research

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8 pages, 12033 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Output Characteristics of External-Cavity Mode-Hop-Free Tunable Laser Source in C+L Band

by Jisheng Sun, Liqiang Qiu, Lei Liu, Liwen Sheng, Yudong Cui, Lin Huang, Mengchun Pan, Fushun Nian and Jiafei Hu

Photonics 2024, 11(7), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11070677 - 21 Jul 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1585

Abstract

Tunable laser sources with a wide wavelength tuning range, mode-hop-free (MHF) operation, and high spectral purity are essential for applications such as high-resolution spectroscopy, coherent detection, and intelligent fiber sensing. In this paper, we present a wide-range tunable laser source that operates without mode hopping, based on external cavity feedback using a semiconductor gain chip as the laser gain medium. The wavelength, power, and spectral characteristics of the laser are experimentally measured. A wide MHF continuous wavelength tuning range from 1480 nm to 1620 nm with a side-mode suppression ratio of more than 61.65 dB is achieved. An output optical power of more than 11.14 dBm with good power stability can also be realized in the full C+L band. This proposed external-cavity tunable laser source features a narrow intrinsic linewidth and MHF tunable radiation with a maximum sweep speed of 200 nm/s, enabling practical applications such as high-resolution vector spectrum analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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14 pages, 5228 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Analytical Model of Point Spread Function under Defocused Degradation in Diffraction-Limited Systems: Confluent Hypergeometric Function

by Feijun Song, Qiao Chen, Xiongxin Tang and Fanjiang Xu

Photonics 2024, 11(5), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11050455 - 13 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2111

Abstract

In recent years, optical systems near the diffraction limit have been widely used in high-end applications. Evidently, an analytical solution of the point spread function (PSF) will help to enhance both understanding and dealing with the imaging process. This paper analyzes the Fresnel diffraction of diffraction-limited optical systems in defocused conditions. For this work, an analytical solution of the defocused PSF was obtained using the series expansion of the confluent hypergeometric functions. The analytical expression of the defocused optical transfer function is also presented herein for comparison with the PSF. Additionally, some characteristic parameters for the PSF are provided, such as the equivalent bandwidth and the Strehl ratio. Comparing the PSF obtained using the fast Fourier transform algorithm of an optical system with known, detailed parameters to the analytical solution derived in this paper using only the typical parameters, the root mean square errors of the two methods were found to be less than 3% in the weak and medium defocus range. The attractive advantages of the universal model, which is independent of design details, objective types, and applications, are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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11 pages, 5091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

1.2 kW, 20 kHz Nanosecond Nd:YAG Slab Laser System

by Hao Liu, Jisi Qiu, Yanzhong Chen, Haocheng Wang, Tianqi Wang, Yueliang Liu, Xiaoquan Song and Zhongwei Fan

Photonics 2024, 11(4), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11040297 - 25 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a kW-level high-repetition-rate nanosecond master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) laser system, employing a structure of fiber, Nd:YVO₄, and Nd:YAG hybrid amplification. A tunable fiber seed source is used for adjustable pulse repetition frequency and pulse width. The Nd:YVO₄ pre-amplifier, which is dual-end-pumped, achieves high gain while maintaining good beam quality, and the high-power side-pumped Nd:YAG slab main-amplifier enables efficient power amplification. The repetition rate of the output laser can be adjusted within the range of 1~20 kHz, and the pulse width can be tuned within the range of 10~300 ns. The seed output is 6 mW at a repetition frequency of 20 kHz; we achieve an average output power of 1240 W with a total power extraction efficiency of 39.1% and single-pulse energy of 62 mJ at a pulse width of 301 ns. This parameter-controllable high-power laser holds promise for applications in the laser cleaning of complex surface contaminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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12 pages, 6906 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A 2 µm Gallium Antimonide Semiconductor Laser Based on Slanted, Wedge-Shaped Microlens Fiber Coupling

by Zhaohong Liu, Jiayue Wang, Ning Li, Zhongwei Yang, Shaowen Li, Sensen Li, Wei Wang, Heshig Bayan, Weining Cheng, Yu Zhang, Zhuokun Wu, Hongyu Sun, Yuanqing Xia, Yulei Wang and Zhiwei Lu

Photonics 2024, 11(2), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11020108 - 25 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1666

Abstract

Semiconductor lasers with a wavelength of 2 µm, composed of antimonide materials, find important applications in trace gas detection, laser medicine, and free-space optical communication, among others. In this paper, a more suitable microlens shape for 2 µm gallium antimonide semiconductor lasers is designed. Based on the fiber coupling efficiency model, the parameters of the designed slanting wedge-shaped microlens fiber are optimized to improve laser beam quality. The large tangent angle on both sides of the slanted, wedge-shaped microlens fiber is calculated using Snell’s law, and the fiber core diameter and small wedge angle are determined through space fiber coupling experiments. After packaging the fiber coupling module with the chip, the laser output beam exhibits good overall symmetry in the spot with a uniform intensity distribution. The maximum output power is approximately 210 mW, demonstrating good power stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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10 pages, 7857 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pulse Duration Compression by Two-Stage Stimulated Brillouin Scattering and Stimulated Raman Scattering

by Xiaoyan Han, Zhaohong Liu, Shaowen Li, Sensen Li, Zhongwei Yang, Qiang Su, Yu Zhang, Bayanheshig, Yuanqin Xia, Yulei Wang and Zhiwei Lu

Photonics 2024, 11(2), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11020104 - 24 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1557

Abstract

A pulse duration compression technique that combines stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) was presented in this study, achieving an output pulse duration of 48.3 ps. The feasibility of this approach has been experimentally demonstrated. To be specific, a pulse duration of 7.4 ns is compressed to 48.3 ps with an energy of 5.27 mJ, and the energy efficiency of the SRS pulse duration compression system is up to 21.84%. Moreover, this study provides a practical method for reliably generating high-energy short pulses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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8 pages, 1493 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Combined Compression of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering and Laser–Induced Breakdown Enhanced with Sic Nanowire

by Lai Feng, Yiming Zhao, Weiwei Zhang and Dongsong Sun

Photonics 2024, 11(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11010096 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1349

Abstract

In this paper, the laser pulse time compression technique, based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and passive laser–induced breakdown (LIB) series technology, is investigated. By doping a SiC nanowire in a CCl₄ solution of an LIB breakdown medium, the LIB generation threshold is reduced, and the stability of the LIB compression output is improved. When OD is 0.2, the output pulse width is 254.4 ps, and the corresponding energy conversion efficiency and pulse compression rate are 34.2% and 50.2%, respectively. Our experiment proves the feasibility of this scheme. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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13 pages, 3102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploration of Illicit Drug Detection Based on Goos–Hänchen Shift

by Yan Wang, Xiaodi Zhou, Xinmin Fan, Xiaodong Huang, Lujun Zhang and Chunyan Wang

Photonics 2023, 10(11), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10111270 - 16 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1460

Abstract

Amidst the escalating issue of drug abuse, an urgent need for effective illicit drug detection methods has arisen. This paper introduces a novel optical approach utilizing the Goos–Hänchen Shift (GHS) to explore the possibility of on-site rapid detection of illicit drugs. Delving into the mechanisms, light absorption and attenuation in biological samples are considered through absorption and attenuation coefficients, establishing connections between complex refractive indices, complex dielectric constants, and GHS. A self-assembled GHS detection system measured GHS values across various samples: ultrapure water, serum, methamphetamine, serum–methamphetamine, heroin, and serum–heroin. These experiments unveiled substantial GHS variations among the samples. Refractive indices for serum, serum–methamphetamine, and serum–heroin samples were computed using GHS values and sample extinction coefficients, highlighting GHS’s remarkable sensitivity to refractive index variations as a high-sensitivity refractive index sensing technology. The correlation between the dielectric constant and GHS was explored, yielding refractive indices for pure solutes—serum, methamphetamine, and heroin—of 1.66300, 1.51300, and 1.62300, respectively. Notably, the dielectric constants for these solutes were 2.76557, 2.28917, and 2.63413, emphasizing the dielectric constant’s discriminative potential in identifying illicit drugs. In conclusion, these findings suggest that GHS holds promise for distinguishing various illicit drug types, charting an innovative path for illicit drug detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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12 pages, 1013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigations and Modeling of Interference Fringe Geometry in Line-Shaped Gaussian Beam Intersections for Laser Doppler Sensors

by Hao Zhang, Jieping Wang and Shiji Wang

Photonics 2023, 10(10), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10101132 - 9 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1727

Abstract

Line-shaped beam-based Doppler distance sensors enable 3D shape measurements of rotating objects, for instance for working lathe monitoring with a simultaneous, multipoint velocity, and distance measurement. The velocity and distance estimations are fundamentally referred to the interference fringe spacing of the sensors. In this case, the fringe spacing variation-caused measurement error is significant; however, a complete, accurate model of the fringe geometry distribution for the line-shaped fringe volume is still missing and required to identify and minimize the error. Therefore, this work presents a high-accuracy 3D model for the fringe spacing evaluation of the sensors with experimental investigations. The model is derived from the phase expression of Gaussian beams introducing extension ratio, and can be universally applied to describe fringe geometry distribution throughout the intersection volume of spherical and line-shaped beams. With an experimental setup of a laser Doppler sensor, a full-field fringe spacing estimation using a high-resolution matrix camera is performed with dual-wavelength beams. The numerical modeling and experimental results show an average relative difference below

0.6 %

. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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11 pages, 3717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Broadband Enhancement in the Spectral Response of Photovoltaic Modules with Flower-like Silver Particles

by Yan Wang, Feng Zhang, Xinmin Fan, Yabin Lu, Chunyan Wang, Xiaodong Huang and Lujun Zhang

Photonics 2023, 10(10), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10101102 - 29 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1142

Abstract

Recent research has indicated that metal nanoparticles, known for their unique optical properties, can enhance the spectral response of photovoltaic modules. Since most nanoparticles demonstrate enhancement effects within a specific wavelength range, broadening the spectral response of photoelectric devices is critical for their application in imaging, energy harvesting, and optical communication. In this study, we applied flower-like silver particles to achieve this broadband enhancement. The optical absorption of photovoltaic modules, featuring an amorphous Si p-i-n structure, was improved across a broad wavelength range of 400~2000 nm by integrating these flower-like silver particles, resulting in an approximately tenfold increase in peak spectral responsivity. The theoretical investigation further elaborates that the enhancement originates from the near-field effects of silver particles due to the interaction of different parts of the flower-like silver particles. Through these studies, we demonstrate that utilizing the flower-like silver particles with roughness surface can achieve the spectral response of the photoelectric device enhanced in broadband range, which can improve the utilization efficiency of optical energy for the applications of sensing, imaging, optical communication, and energy harvesting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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10 pages, 3067 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Prediction of Shock Wave Velocity Induced by a Combined Millisecond and Nanosecond Laser Based on Convolution Neural Network

by Jingyi Li, Wei Zhang, Ye Li and Guangyong Jin

Photonics 2023, 10(9), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics10091034 - 9 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1473

Abstract

The variation of shock-wave velocity with time induced by a millisecond-nanosecond combined pulse laser (CPL) on silicon is investigated. The convolution neural network (CNN) is used to predict the shock-wave velocity induced by a single ns laser and CPL with a ns laser energy density of 6, 12 and 24 J/cm², ms laser energy density of 0 and 226.13 J/cm², and pulse delay of 0, 0.4 and 0.8 ms. The four-layer CNN model was applied, ns laser energy density, ms laser energy density, pulse delay and time were set as the input parameter, while the shock-wave velocity was set as the output parameter. The correlation coefficient (R²), mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the CNN model on the test data set was 0.9865, 3.54 and 3.01, respectively. This indicated that the CNN model shows a high reliability in the prediction of CPL-induced shock-wave velocity with limited experimental data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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Review

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19 pages, 2694 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Femtosecond Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering for Thermometry

by Kaiyuan Song, Mingze Xia, Sheng Yun, Yuan Zhang, Sheng Zhang, Hui Ge, Yanyan Deng, Meng Liu, Wei Wang, Longfei Zhao, Yulei Wang, Zhiwei Lv and Yuanqin Xia

Photonics 2024, 11(7), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics11070622 - 28 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1566

Abstract

The combustion process is complex and harsh, and the supersonic combustion flow field is also characterized by short duration and supersonic speed, which makes the real-time diagnostic technology for the transient environment extremely demanding. It is of great significance to realize high time-resolved accurate measurement of temperature, component concentration, and other parametric information of the combustion field to study the transient chemical reaction dynamics of the combustion field. Femtosecond CARS spectroscopy can effectively avoid the collision effect between particles in the measurement process and reduce the influence of the non-resonant background to improve the measurement accuracy and realize the time-resolved measurement on a millisecond scale. This paper introduces the development history of femtosecond CARS spectroscopy, points out its advantages and disadvantages, and looks forward to the future development trend to carry out high time-resolved measurements, establish a database of temperature changes in various complex combustion fields, and provide support for the study of engine mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in High-Power Laser and Light–Matter Interactions)

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