This paper presents the anisotropic optical feedback of a single frequency intra-cavity He-Ne laser. A novel phenomenon was discovered that the laser output an elliptical polarized frequency instead of the initial linear polarized one. Two intensities with a phase difference were detected, both of which were modulated in the form of cosine wave and a fringe shift corresponds to a λ/2 movement of the feedback mirror. The phase difference can be continuously modulated by the wave plate in the external cavity. Frequency stabilization was used to stabilize the laser frequency so as to enlarge the measuring range and improve the measurement precision. This anisotropic optical feedback system offers a potential displacement measurement technology with the function of subdivision of λ/2 and in-time direction judgment. The three-mirror Fabry Perot cavity model is used to present the experimental results. Given the lack of need of lasing adjustment, this full intra-cavity laser can significantly improve the simplicity and stability of the optical feedback system.
This paper presents an unified comprehensive model for the analysis of the spectral properties of Fabry-Perot laser diodes and conventional semiconductor optical amplifiers. We develop the model by considering the wide-band amplified spontaneous emission fields and the input optical signal fields in a general frame. Specifically, this paper discusses theoretical aspects of the model in details, which are based upon the spectra of material gain and spontaneous emission power, nonlinear gain suppression, and longitudinal spatial hole burning. This paper also presents simulation results of the model for the case of conventional semiconductor optical amplifier and the case of Fabry-Perot laser diode to demonstrate its capabilities.
