6533b7dafe1ef96bd126f1e4

RESEARCH PRODUCT

'SMART laser', Development of laser sources integrating an optimized functioning via a process of learning

subject

description

Ost commercially available mode-blocking lasers provide a unique pulse regime to the user, driven only by a simple switch. To solve certain problems, it would be advantageous to increase the possibilities of pulse adjustment in many areas of application, from micro-machining to wavelength conversion. One way to increase the degrees of freedom of a laser cavity is to incorporate into it a saturable absorbant with adjustable parameters, as with non-linear polarization evolution devices (NPEs). The absence of an analytical relationship between the adjustable cavity parameters and the characteristics of a generated pulse can be circumvented by the use of scalable algorithms, well suited to multi-objective optimization of complex functions. This thesis presents the implementation of algorithms on fiber laser systems. The long-term goal is a complete automation of fiber lasers, with a great versatility of self-generating regimes and adaptation of the system to all environments. While continuous laser regimes are easy to obtain, and of limited interest, the generation of ultra-short impulse regimes is more interesting and complex, requiring the implementation of algorithms to attempt to generate these regimes. This project began with the thesis of Ugo Andral in 2013, giving the first results of self-generation of single soliton impulse regimes. The work presented in this manuscript is part of the continuation of the project by increasing the stability of the regimes, the duration of the optimizations as well as the versatility of the regimes generated. This objective allows a multidisciplinary approach to the work, with a purely photonic part (development of versatile and robust laser cavities) and a programming part (adaptation of pre-developed algorithms to new cavities). Each new stage presented requires an adjustment and development of these two components.