Bandwidth-limited time-synchronized frequency tunable double pulse generation in a branched picosecond Nd:glass laser

Nearly bandwidth-limited, time-synchronized, frequency tunable picosecond pulses are generated in an active and passive mode-locked laser consisting of an Nd:silicate glass and an Nd:phosphate glass branch and a common antiresonant ring. An electro-optic Q-switch, an acousto-optic modulator and a saturable absorber in the antiresonant ring are responsible for mode locking and time synchronization. Three-plate birefringent filters in the gain branches are used for spectral narrowing (pulse duration broadening) and wavelength tuning. Pulses of 40 ps duration with a synchronization jitter of 10 ps are generated. A frequency tuning range from 0 to 350 cm(-1) is achieved.