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ID Date Author Status Type Category Locationdown Title
  141   Fri Sep 2 17:50:21 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomTelescope / amplifier output

removing the reading which is not correct (wrong use of software)

redone a reading similar using a lens of focal 250 mm got a FWHM-X = 0.64 mm , FWHM-Y = 0.84 mm

using the vertical to calculate the divergence, we get divergence ~ 2.17 mrad which is closer to fit obtained for the beam profile by taking data points along the path

attached is also the amplifier beam data taken at different points and their fit using Gaussian beam software

for a focal length = 400 mm,

we measured a FWHM = 2.1 mm,

corresponding to a divergence = 4.45 mrad

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Beam divergence was measured using a method called  "Focal Length Divergence Measurement Method"

Where a lens of a known focal length is placed on the beam path and the beam waist is measured at the focal distance using a beam profiler.

We ramped the power up to 10 W

for a focal length = 400 mm,

we measured a FWHM = 2.1 mm,

corresponding to a divergence = 4.45 mrad  (edit : wrong software use)

for comparison, we measured the FWHM 8.1 mm  @ 1.55 m and extracted the divergence directly 4.46 mrad  (edit : this measurement is wrong - wrong use of the software)

Note: better to use a lens of a focal lens higher than 100 mm (to reduce the error in the distance measured)

 

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

The previous Sbox telescope was dismantled and the mechanical components cleaned.

its lenses are still in the mounts, it looks that two of them are spherical and two are cylindrical

2 are -100 mm and 2 are +150 mm, there is also a box containing fused silica lenses that could be used.

Note: at high power use only fused silica lenses not BK7 type

 

 

 

 

Attachment 1: Beam_Profile_Fit_using_gaussian_Beam.jpg
Beam_Profile_Fit_using_gaussian_Beam.jpg
Attachment 2: Beam_Profile_Fit_using_gaussian_Beam.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE gaussianBeam>
<gaussianBeam version="1.1">
    <bench id="0">
        <wavelength>1.03e-06</wavelength>
        <leftBoundary>-0.1</leftBoundary>
        <rightBoundary>4</rightBoundary>
        <targetBeam id="0">
            <position>2</position>
            <waist>0.00058</waist>
            <positionTolerance>0.1</positionTolerance>
            <waistTolerance>0.05</waistTolerance>
            <minOverlap>0.96</minOverlap>
            <overlapCriterion>1</overlapCriterion>
        </targetBeam>
        <beamFit id="0">
            <name>Fit0</name>
            <dataType>3</dataType>
            <color>4278190080</color>
            <data id="0">
                <position>0.1</position>
                <value>0.000132</value>
            </data>
            <data id="1">
                <position>0.15</position>
                <value>0.00017</value>
            </data>
            <data id="2">
                <position>0.25</position>
                <value>0.000484</value>
            </data>
            <data id="3">
                <position>0.27</position>
                <value>0.000561</value>
            </data>
            <data id="4">
                <position>0.3</position>
                <value>0.00066</value>
            </data>
            <data id="5">
                <position>0.32</position>
                <value>0.000698</value>
            </data>
            <data id="6">
                <position>0.35</position>
                <value>0.000753</value>
            </data>
            <data id="7">
                <position>0.38</position>
                <value>0.000858</value>
            </data>
            <data id="8">
                <position>0.4</position>
                <value>0.000891</value>
            </data>
            <data id="9">
                <position>0.43</position>
                <value>0.000979</value>
            </data>
            <data id="10">
                <position>0.5</position>
                <value>0.001138</value>
            </data>
            <data id="11">
                <position>0.52</position>
                <value>0.001215</value>
            </data>
            <data id="12">
                <position>0.55</position>
                <value>0.001188</value>
            </data>
            <data id="13">
                <position>0.6</position>
                <value>0.001265</value>
            </data>
            <data id="14">
                <position>0.65</position>
                <value>0.001512</value>
            </data>
            <data id="15">
                <position>0.7</position>
                <value>0.001617</value>
            </data>
            <data id="16">
                <position>0.75</position>
                <value>0.001749</value>
            </data>
            <data id="17">
                <position>0.8</position>
                <value>0.001837</value>
            </data>
            <data id="18">
                <position>0.85</position>
                <value>0.001782</value>
            </data>
            <data id="19">
                <position>0.9</position>
                <value>0.002183</value>
            </data>
            <data id="20">
                <position>1</position>
                <value>0.002469</value>
            </data>
            <data id="21">
                <position>1.1</position>
                <value>0.002706</value>
            </data>
        </beamFit>
        <beamFit id="1">
            <name>Fit4</name>
            <dataType>1</dataType>
            <color>0</color>
            <data id="0">
                <position>0</position>
                <value>0</value>
            </data>
            <data id="1">
                <position>0</position>
                <value>0</value>
            </data>
            <data id="2">
                <position>0</position>
                <value>0</value>
            </data>
        </beamFit>
        <opticsList>
            <inputBeam id="2">
                <waist>0.000151751</waist>
                <index>1</index>
                <M2>1.1</M2>
                <position>0.0620946</position>
                <name>w0</name>
                <absoluteLock>1</absoluteLock>
            </inputBeam>
        </opticsList>
    </bench>
    <view id="0" bench="0">
        <horizontalRange>2.99</horizontalRange>
        <verticalRange>0.00715</verticalRange>
        <origin>-0.100473</origin>
        <showTargetBeam id="0">0</showTargetBeam>
    </view>
</gaussianBeam>
  142   Fri Sep 2 18:10:10 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomTelescope / amplifier output

Note the correct beam divergence is approximately ~ 2.3 mrad

M2 = 1.1 in this fit, but it is not yet optimized !!!!! could be reason for not accurate telescope reading.

 

Have tInstalled a new telescope with lenses

250 mm @ 86.8 cm from amplifier ,

-150 mm @109 cm (~ 22 cm between lenses)

 

the beam waist measured at a point on the reflection which is relatively the same distance to the injection mirror and the beam was much smaller than before

@ ~ 2 meters from amplifier + telescope ,  FWHM = 1.2 mm ,  waist = 0.85 * FWHM = 1.02 mm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Here is a view of beam propagation in the optical software : GaussianBeam

the red filled shape is the model of the CELIA amplifier beam propagation with a divergence of 4.46 mrad
(the 2 black dots is the measurement of the beam size without any lens to change the beam propagation).

the 2 black lines have been put at the input and output cavity mirrors position relative to the CELIA amplifier position, respectively 2m and 2.7m roughly.
the cavity mode radius should be 0.55mm and 0.7mm respectively.
the cavity mode shape is represented by the 2 red lines (very close to the red filled shape which is the beam).

the most simple working telescope could be a +250 lens at 280mm from the CELIA amplifier.
it gives a beam radius of 0.53mm at the input mirror and 0.64mm at the output mirror.
the overlapping is more than 99%

the 2nd file is the GaussianBeam file.
 

Manar Amer wrote:

I placed a periscope to adjust the high of the beam from the amplifier output from ~ 10 cm from the table to ~ 15 cm

a dichroic mirror placed after it to reject the pump laser, all the mirrors on the path to the cavity were replaced with dielectric mirrors BB01-E03

the length of the path from the amplifier output to the cavity coupling mirror ~ 2 meters

setup defines the different optics placed in the path

Note: the beam goes all the way to the cavity, put it is not yet optimized to the irises.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Beam divergence was measured using a method called  "Focal Length Divergence Measurement Method"

Where a lens of a known focal length is placed on the beam path and the beam waist is measured at the focal distance using a beam profiler.

We ramped the power up to 10 W

for a focal length = 400 mm,

we measured a FWHM = 2.1 mm,

corresponding to a divergence = 4.45 mrad (edit : wrong software use)

for comparison, we measured the FWHM 8.1 mm  @ 1.55 m and extracted the divergence directly 4.46 mrad  (edit : this measurement is wrong - wrong use of the software)

Note: better to use a lens of a focal lens higher than 100 mm (to reduce the error in the distance measured)

 

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

The previous Sbox telescope was dismantled and the mechanical components cleaned.

its lenses are still in the mounts, it looks that two of them are spherical and two are cylindrical

2 are -100 mm and 2 are +150 mm, there is also a box containing fused silica lenses that could be used.

Note: at high power use only fused silica lenses not BK7 type

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment 1: Ampli_Celia_2.3mrad_divergence_New_Telescope.jpg
Ampli_Celia_2.3mrad_divergence_New_Telescope.jpg
Attachment 2: Beam_waist_at_injection_image.jpg
Beam_waist_at_injection_image.jpg
  143   Mon Sep 5 18:06:53 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomTelescope / amplifier output

Am adjustment on the lenses position to have a smaller waist.

+ 250 mm @ 88 cm from amplifier

-150 mm @ 111 cm from amplifier

the overlap with this placement is ~ 91%

the measured beam FWHM at the injection point M1 estimated to be ~ 0.94 mm

waist = 0.85*0.94 = 0.79 mm , it is still much larger than the needed 0.58 mm radius waist.

There is an improvement in reducing higher order modes, but the fundamental is still too weak to see, we observe higher order even modes 11 , 44 , ...

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Note the correct beam divergence is approximately ~ 2.3 mrad

M2 = 1.1 in this fit, but it is not yet optimized !!!!! could be reason for not accurate telescope reading.

 

Have tInstalled a new telescope with lenses

250 mm @ 86.8 cm from amplifier ,

-150 mm @109 cm (~ 22 cm between lenses)

 

the beam waist measured at a point on the reflection which is relatively the same distance to the injection mirror and the beam was much smaller than before

@ ~ 2 meters from amplifier + telescope ,  FWHM = 1.2 mm ,  waist = 0.85 * FWHM = 1.02 mm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Here is a view of beam propagation in the optical software : GaussianBeam

the red filled shape is the model of the CELIA amplifier beam propagation with a divergence of 4.46 mrad
(the 2 black dots is the measurement of the beam size without any lens to change the beam propagation).

the 2 black lines have been put at the input and output cavity mirrors position relative to the CELIA amplifier position, respectively 2m and 2.7m roughly.
the cavity mode radius should be 0.55mm and 0.7mm respectively.
the cavity mode shape is represented by the 2 red lines (very close to the red filled shape which is the beam).

the most simple working telescope could be a +250 lens at 280mm from the CELIA amplifier.
it gives a beam radius of 0.53mm at the input mirror and 0.64mm at the output mirror.
the overlapping is more than 99%

the 2nd file is the GaussianBeam file.
 

Manar Amer wrote:

I placed a periscope to adjust the high of the beam from the amplifier output from ~ 10 cm from the table to ~ 15 cm

a dichroic mirror placed after it to reject the pump laser, all the mirrors on the path to the cavity were replaced with dielectric mirrors BB01-E03

the length of the path from the amplifier output to the cavity coupling mirror ~ 2 meters

setup defines the different optics placed in the path

Note: the beam goes all the way to the cavity, put it is not yet optimized to the irises.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Beam divergence was measured using a method called  "Focal Length Divergence Measurement Method"

Where a lens of a known focal length is placed on the beam path and the beam waist is measured at the focal distance using a beam profiler.

We ramped the power up to 10 W

for a focal length = 400 mm,

we measured a FWHM = 2.1 mm,

corresponding to a divergence = 4.45 mrad (edit : wrong software use)

for comparison, we measured the FWHM 8.1 mm  @ 1.55 m and extracted the divergence directly 4.46 mrad  (edit : this measurement is wrong - wrong use of the software)

Note: better to use a lens of a focal lens higher than 100 mm (to reduce the error in the distance measured)

 

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

The previous Sbox telescope was dismantled and the mechanical components cleaned.

its lenses are still in the mounts, it looks that two of them are spherical and two are cylindrical

2 are -100 mm and 2 are +150 mm, there is also a box containing fused silica lenses that could be used.

Note: at high power use only fused silica lenses not BK7 type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment 1: 20220905_Telescope_lense_placement.jpg
20220905_Telescope_lense_placement.jpg
  144   Tue Sep 6 17:47:40 2022 Ronic ChicheFixedissuelasers and opticsOptical roomunsuccessful telescope design :-(

we wanted to calculate the right telescope with 2 spherical lenses.

1) we have the FP cavity mode size which is 0.58mm at the input mirror and 0.7mm at the output mirror.

2) we planned to measure the laser beam at the output of the amplifier working at P=1W (2nd stage ON only).

we did several measurements at different positions from the amplifier output.
for each of these measurements, we were able to fit the intensity profile I = I0 * exp(-2 *r^2 / w^2) on x or y axis, then we have w(z).
attached files give an example of the beam image at z=40mm and an example of the beam fits for w and y.

with all the w(z) measurements, we were able to fit the divergence of the beam => 2.3 mrad
attached file show the radius measurements and the divergence fit.
with this divergence, we should find a waist bigger than 140 µm (value for M²=1).

unfortunately the smallest beam radius measured is 116 µm which would give a M²<1 that is not allowed !
then it seems the measurements have not been done correctly... :-(

we will try to do them again... maybe at P=10W or 50W ?!?

Attachment 1: image_at_z_being_40mm.png
image_at_z_being_40mm.png
Attachment 2: beam_fit_at_z_being_40mm.png
beam_fit_at_z_being_40mm.png
Attachment 3: propagation_fit.png
propagation_fit.png
  145   Wed Sep 7 18:57:20 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomTelescope / amplifier output

We increased the power of the amplifier up to 10 W to see if there is a change in the beam shape at the injection point or the transmission.

There was no change in the shape of both of them from the reading at 1 W (with only the 2nd stage on)

Only saw an increase in the transmission power, which is expected.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Am adjustment on the lenses position to have a smaller waist.

+ 250 mm @ 88 cm from amplifier

-150 mm @ 111 cm from amplifier

the overlap with this placement is ~ 91%

the measured beam FWHM at the injection point M1 estimated to be ~ 0.94 mm

waist = 0.85*0.94 = 0.79 mm , it is still much larger than the needed 0.58 mm radius waist.

There is an improvement in reducing higher order modes, but the fundamental is still too weak to see, we observe higher order even modes 11 , 44 , ...

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Note the correct beam divergence is approximately ~ 2.3 mrad

M2 = 1.1 in this fit, but it is not yet optimized !!!!! could be reason for not accurate telescope reading.

 

Have tInstalled a new telescope with lenses

250 mm @ 86.8 cm from amplifier ,

-150 mm @109 cm (~ 22 cm between lenses)

 

the beam waist measured at a point on the reflection which is relatively the same distance to the injection mirror and the beam was much smaller than before

@ ~ 2 meters from amplifier + telescope ,  FWHM = 1.2 mm ,  waist = 0.85 * FWHM = 1.02 mm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Here is a view of beam propagation in the optical software : GaussianBeam

the red filled shape is the model of the CELIA amplifier beam propagation with a divergence of 4.46 mrad
(the 2 black dots is the measurement of the beam size without any lens to change the beam propagation).

the 2 black lines have been put at the input and output cavity mirrors position relative to the CELIA amplifier position, respectively 2m and 2.7m roughly.
the cavity mode radius should be 0.55mm and 0.7mm respectively.
the cavity mode shape is represented by the 2 red lines (very close to the red filled shape which is the beam).

the most simple working telescope could be a +250 lens at 280mm from the CELIA amplifier.
it gives a beam radius of 0.53mm at the input mirror and 0.64mm at the output mirror.
the overlapping is more than 99%

the 2nd file is the GaussianBeam file.
 

Manar Amer wrote:

I placed a periscope to adjust the high of the beam from the amplifier output from ~ 10 cm from the table to ~ 15 cm

a dichroic mirror placed after it to reject the pump laser, all the mirrors on the path to the cavity were replaced with dielectric mirrors BB01-E03

the length of the path from the amplifier output to the cavity coupling mirror ~ 2 meters

setup defines the different optics placed in the path

Note: the beam goes all the way to the cavity, put it is not yet optimized to the irises.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Beam divergence was measured using a method called  "Focal Length Divergence Measurement Method"

Where a lens of a known focal length is placed on the beam path and the beam waist is measured at the focal distance using a beam profiler.

We ramped the power up to 10 W

for a focal length = 400 mm,

we measured a FWHM = 2.1 mm,

corresponding to a divergence = 4.45 mrad (edit : wrong software use)

for comparison, we measured the FWHM 8.1 mm  @ 1.55 m and extracted the divergence directly 4.46 mrad  (edit : this measurement is wrong - wrong use of the software)

Note: better to use a lens of a focal lens higher than 100 mm (to reduce the error in the distance measured)

 

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

The previous Sbox telescope was dismantled and the mechanical components cleaned.

its lenses are still in the mounts, it looks that two of them are spherical and two are cylindrical

2 are -100 mm and 2 are +150 mm, there is also a box containing fused silica lenses that could be used.

Note: at high power use only fused silica lenses not BK7 type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  146   Wed Sep 7 18:58:03 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 
Attachment 1: 20220907_00mode.jpg
20220907_00mode.jpg
Attachment 2: 20220907_00mode_diameter.jpg
20220907_00mode_diameter.jpg
Attachment 3: Screenshot_2022-09-07_0_174654.png
Screenshot_2022-09-07_0_174654.png
Attachment 4: Screenshot_2022-09-07_2_182520.png
Screenshot_2022-09-07_2_182520.png
  147   Thu Sep 8 11:16:40 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

  148   Thu Sep 8 13:39:03 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

We played on the CEP using the USB command "id0=xxxxx" of the Menhir.

we put id0=48650 and we improved A LOT the transmission and coupling (~ 60%)

here is an image of the first attempts to lock... but the locking is quite difficult.
yellow : transmission
green : reflection
amplifier is still with 2nd stage only (Pout=~1W)

we are adding an AOM in the loop...

Manar Amer wrote:

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

 

Attachment 1: Screenshot_2022-09-08_0_133245.png
Screenshot_2022-09-08_0_133245.png
  149   Thu Sep 8 14:58:51 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

We managed to lock the cavity by adding the AOM , but the lock is still difficult to stabilize.

There is some high frequency compensated by the AOM at ~ 170 kHz (yet to understand from where it comes from)

Manar Amer wrote:

We played on the CEP using the USB command "id0=xxxxx" of the Menhir.

we put id0=48650 and we improved A LOT the transmission and coupling (~ 60%)

here is an image of the first attempts to lock... but the locking is quite difficult.
yellow : transmission
green : reflection
amplifier is still with 2nd stage only (Pout=~1W)

we are adding an AOM in the loop...

Manar Amer wrote:

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment 1: Screenshot_2022-09-08_2_144338.png
Screenshot_2022-09-08_2_144338.png
  150   Thu Sep 8 18:28:51 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

We wanted to increase the power of the amplifier to measure the transmission output at M2,

but locking the cavity again was very, very difficult.

We will try again tomorrow.

Manar Amer wrote:

We managed to lock the cavity by adding the AOM , but the lock is still difficult to stabilize.

There is some high frequency compensated by the AOM at ~ 170 kHz (yet to understand from where it comes from)

Manar Amer wrote:

We played on the CEP using the USB command "id0=xxxxx" of the Menhir.

we put id0=48650 and we improved A LOT the transmission and coupling (~ 60%)

here is an image of the first attempts to lock... but the locking is quite difficult.
yellow : transmission
green : reflection
amplifier is still with 2nd stage only (Pout=~1W)

we are adding an AOM in the loop...

Manar Amer wrote:

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  151   Fri Sep 9 11:50:17 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

We locked the cavity, and it is stable using the Transmission,

the high frequency that we thought could have a reason for instability, is due to the high power on the photo diode of the PDH box which can cause non-linearity effects in the signal.

We also closed the fan of the third stage and there was no significant change on the error signal and the piezo+AOM compensation signal.  

        

Manar Amer wrote:

We managed to lock the cavity by adding the AOM , but the lock is still difficult to stabilize.

There is some high frequency compensated by the AOM at ~ 170 kHz (yet to understand from where it comes from)

Manar Amer wrote:

We played on the CEP using the USB command "id0=xxxxx" of the Menhir.

we put id0=48650 and we improved A LOT the transmission and coupling (~ 60%)

here is an image of the first attempts to lock... but the locking is quite difficult.
yellow : transmission
green : reflection
amplifier is still with 2nd stage only (Pout=~1W)

we are adding an AOM in the loop...

Manar Amer wrote:

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  152   Fri Sep 9 12:45:19 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

image of the lock with Coupling of ~ 60%

 

Manar Amer wrote:

We locked the cavity, and it is stable using the Transmission,

the high frequency that we thought could have a reason for instability, is due to the high power on the photo diode of the PDH box which can cause non-linearity effects in the signal.

We also closed the fan of the third stage and there was no significant change on the error signal and the piezo+AOM compensation signal.  

        

Manar Amer wrote:

We managed to lock the cavity by adding the AOM , but the lock is still difficult to stabilize.

There is some high frequency compensated by the AOM at ~ 170 kHz (yet to understand from where it comes from)

Manar Amer wrote:

We played on the CEP using the USB command "id0=xxxxx" of the Menhir.

we put id0=48650 and we improved A LOT the transmission and coupling (~ 60%)

here is an image of the first attempts to lock... but the locking is quite difficult.
yellow : transmission
green : reflection
amplifier is still with 2nd stage only (Pout=~1W)

we are adding an AOM in the loop...

Manar Amer wrote:

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachment 1: Screenshot_2022-09-09_0_120737.png
Screenshot_2022-09-09_0_120737.png
  153   Fri Sep 9 12:49:44 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomLocking Amplifier with Cavity

Alignment was improved to ~ 1.2 V on the photodiode.

Only the second stage was on with ~ 1 W output from amplifier

we measured the transmission from S2 to be 2.3 mW

Manar Amer wrote:

image of the lock with Coupling of ~ 60%

 

Manar Amer wrote:

We locked the cavity, and it is stable using the Transmission,

the high frequency that we thought could have a reason for instability, is due to the high power on the photo diode of the PDH box which can cause non-linearity effects in the signal.

We also closed the fan of the third stage and there was no significant change on the error signal and the piezo+AOM compensation signal.  

        

Manar Amer wrote:

We managed to lock the cavity by adding the AOM , but the lock is still difficult to stabilize.

There is some high frequency compensated by the AOM at ~ 170 kHz (yet to understand from where it comes from)

Manar Amer wrote:

We played on the CEP using the USB command "id0=xxxxx" of the Menhir.

we put id0=48650 and we improved A LOT the transmission and coupling (~ 60%)

here is an image of the first attempts to lock... but the locking is quite difficult.
yellow : transmission
green : reflection
amplifier is still with 2nd stage only (Pout=~1W)

we are adding an AOM in the loop...

Manar Amer wrote:

Today, we played on the CEP but using the I-tune input of the Menhir Laser (+/- 5V maximal range).

unfortunately, one only saw a very weak improvement of the transmission by 10-20%... and the coupling improvement is almost zero.

the best improvement was for the maximal I-tune range (+5V) which maybe means that we could improve more the effect if were able to get a full range of 2pi for the CEP (instead of the present pi/2 range).

Manar Amer wrote:

Today we managed to observe the fundamental mode and stabilize the scan on it until we improved the alignment enough.

We see some coupling, but it is very week < 5% , We improved the alignment and the polarization, but there is still no explanation to why it is very low.

The mode shape is circular with radius = 0.89 mm at transmission point, ~ 40 cm from circular mirror.

One EOM was installed along the injection into the amplifier, we saw a drop in the power measured by the first stage monitor from ~ 8.2 mW to 7.2 mW

we improved the injection up to 7.6 mW, but it still fluctuates a lot. We need to be careful about it.

The error signal looks clean, but it is very week which is due to the weak coupling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  154   Fri Sep 9 14:44:35 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomPower storage In Cavity

We start of power output from amplifier of 1W with only the first and second stage on then we start with the third stage power increase,

Note: when changing the current on the third stage 4 diodes, better to do it step by step for each one with a step of ~ 0.5 A

  •  

Amplifier output current (A)

for four diodes

Power Output (W)

Transmitted power (MW)

 

0 , 0 , 0 ,  0 ~ 1 2.3
1 , 1 , 1 , 1 / 11.0
1.5 , 1.3, 1 , 1 / 35
1.5 , 1.5 , 1 , 1 / 42.16
   

 

  • we placed at the transmission point a splitter the transmitted power before was 35 mW after placing it we had 26 mW
    • 97 % transmission , 3% reflected which goes to the beam profiler

 

  • We see degeneracy modes at the last step of 42.16 mW , so we started to test the D-shaped mirrors
    • the full range of the motors is 50.8 mm
    • each step =  30 nm , 30 000 steps = 1 mm
  155   Fri Sep 9 15:47:46 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomPower storage In Cavity

At transmission power of 42 mW, coupling 60%, we see fundamental mode with a degeneracy

The D-shape motors were moved to a position 2 000 000 steps (in theory they should be the max position)

but no change appeared on the 00 mode or the higher order mode.

We will break the vacuum and check the position of the D-shaped mirrors.

Manar Amer wrote:

We start of power output from amplifier of 1W with only the first and second stage on then we start with the third stage power increase,

Note: when changing the current on the third stage 4 diodes, better to do it step by step for each one with a step of ~ 0.5 A

  •  

Amplifier output current (A)

for four diodes

Power Output (W)

Transmitted power (MW)

 

0 , 0 , 0 ,  0 ~ 1 2.3
1 , 1 , 1 , 1 / 11.0
1.5 , 1.3, 1 , 1 / 35
1.5 , 1.5 , 1 , 1 / 42.16
   

 

  • we placed at the transmission point a splitter the transmitted power before was 35 mW after placing it we had 26 mW
    • 97 % transmission , 3% reflected which goes to the beam profiler

 

  • We see degeneracy modes at the last step of 42.16 mW , so we started to test the D-shaped mirrors
    • the full range of the motors is 50.8 mm
    • each step =  30 nm , 30 000 steps = 1 mm

 

Attachment 1: Transmission_after_S2.jpg
Transmission_after_S2.jpg
  156   Fri Sep 9 18:35:07 2022 Ronic ChicheFixedinfomechanics | lasers and optics | detectors and electronicsOptical roomD-shape mirrors positionning status

This afternoon we opened the cavity and put the D-shape mirrors at their correct place, close to the beam.
we checked the relative position of the mirrors to the beam using the 2nd stage of the amplifier (<1W) and with the sensitive (and cleaned) orange optical card.
with this configuration, we can see very clearly the beam inside the cavity (~ 100µW) and we can check easily if the D-shape mirrors are correctly placed.

the motors used to move the D-shape are the Newport Picomotors 8303-V
with roughly 30nm/step sensitivity and 50mm of range (~1 600 000 steps)
the 4 axis controller used ot move these motors is the Newport 8742.

For both Vertical and Horizontal D-shape mirrors:
* when you do +N steps on the controller, you retract the D-shape mirror from the beam
* when you do -N steps on the controller, you push the D-shape mirror to the beam

the 0 position on the controller corresponds to the D-shape close to the beam.

now, the FP cavity is closed and pumped to go back to vacuum.

 

  157   Fri Sep 9 19:03:58 2022 Ronic ChicheFixedinfomechanics | lasers and optics | detectors and electronicsOptical roomD-shape mirrors positionning status

The cavity box is vacuum pumped at 6*10^-2 mbar.

Ronic Chiche wrote:

This afternoon we opened the cavity and put the D-shape mirrors at their correct place, close to the beam.
we checked the relative position of the mirrors to the beam using the 2nd stage of the amplifier (<1W) and with the sensitive (and cleaned) orange optical card.
with this configuration, we can see very clearly the beam inside the cavity (~ 100µW) and we can check easily if the D-shape mirrors are correctly placed.

the motors used to move the D-shape are the Newport Picomotors 8303-V
with roughly 30nm/step sensitivity and 50mm of range (~1 600 000 steps)
the 4 axis controller used ot move these motors is the Newport 8742.

For both Vertical and Horizontal D-shape mirrors:
* when you do +N steps on the controller, you retract the D-shape mirror from the beam
* when you do -N steps on the controller, you push the D-shape mirror to the beam

the 0 position on the controller corresponds to the D-shape close to the beam.

now, the FP cavity is closed and pumped to go back to vacuum.

 

 

  158   Mon Sep 12 16:27:14 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomPower storage In Cavity

Power increased in the amplifier

reflective filters added at the transmission point to be able to have signal on the Beam Profiler, Transmission diode and power meter

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 1

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 2

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 3

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 4

Power Output (W) Transmitted power (mW) note
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5     no change in the beam shape
1 1 1 1      
1.5 1 1 1     Appearance of higher order mode (vertical), suppressed using D-shaped mirror (vertical only) by (-23000), image recorded.
1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5     no change
2 1.8

1.5

1.5   52 mA 52 mA after CEP adjustment , power measured after 2 reflective fillers NDUV30A and NDUV20
2 2 2 2   70 mA  
2.5 2.5 2 2   95  
2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5    

sudden drop in power, cavity lock lost, lock system looks ok (maybe something in the cavity)

mode shape is the same

coupling is large, transmission is very low

change the CEP, mo effect in changing it (we have no gain in the cavity, No Finesse)  could be something happened to the mirrors !!!!!!

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

At transmission power of 42 mW, coupling 60%, we see fundamental mode with a degeneracy

The D-shape motors were moved to a position 2 000 000 steps (in theory they should be the max position)

but no change appeared on the 00 mode or the higher order mode.

We will break the vacuum and check the position of the D-shaped mirrors.

Manar Amer wrote:

We start of power output from amplifier of 1W with only the first and second stage on then we start with the third stage power increase,

Note: when changing the current on the third stage 4 diodes, better to do it step by step for each one with a step of ~ 0.5 A

  •  

Amplifier output current (A)

for four diodes

Power Output (W)

Transmitted power (MW)

 

0 , 0 , 0 ,  0 ~ 1 2.3
1 , 1 , 1 , 1 / 11.0
1.5 , 1.3, 1 , 1 / 35
1.5 , 1.5 , 1 , 1 / 42.16
   

 

  • we placed at the transmission point a splitter the transmitted power before was 35 mW after placing it we had 26 mW
    • 97 % transmission , 3% reflected which goes to the beam profiler

 

  • We see degeneracy modes at the last step of 42.16 mW , so we started to test the D-shaped mirrors
    • the full range of the motors is 50.8 mm
    • each step =  30 nm , 30 000 steps = 1 mm

 

 

  159   Mon Sep 12 17:00:35 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomPower storage In Cavity

at max stage we reached at 2.5 A on the diodes we have

8000 gain , coupling ~ 60% , with power inside the cavity 50 kW

 

The higer order mode that was observed today,

it was also observed on Friday  along the other higher order mode recorded on the logbook.

after cutting it with the D-shaped mirror we recorded the shape (image attached)

Manar Amer wrote:

Power increased in the amplifier

reflective filters added at the transmission point to be able to have signal on the Beam Profiler, Transmission diode and power meter

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 1

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 2

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 3

Amplifier output current (A)

diode 4

Power Output (W) Transmitted power (mW) note
0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5     no change in the beam shape
1 1 1 1      
1.5 1 1 1     Appearance of higher order mode (vertical), suppressed using D-shaped mirror (vertical only) by (-23000), image recorded.
1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5     no change
2 1.8

1.5

1.5   52 mA 52 mA after CEP adjustment , power measured after 2 reflective fillers NDUV30A and NDUV20
2 2 2 2   70 mA  
2.5 2.5 2 2   95  
2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5    

sudden drop in power, cavity lock lost, lock system looks ok (maybe something in the cavity)

mode shape is the same

coupling is large, transmission is very low

change the CEP, mo effect in changing it (we have no gain in the cavity, No Finesse)  could be something happened to the mirrors !!!!!!

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

At transmission power of 42 mW, coupling 60%, we see fundamental mode with a degeneracy

The D-shape motors were moved to a position 2 000 000 steps (in theory they should be the max position)

but no change appeared on the 00 mode or the higher order mode.

We will break the vacuum and check the position of the D-shaped mirrors.

Manar Amer wrote:

We start of power output from amplifier of 1W with only the first and second stage on then we start with the third stage power increase,

Note: when changing the current on the third stage 4 diodes, better to do it step by step for each one with a step of ~ 0.5 A

  •  

Amplifier output current (A)

for four diodes

Power Output (W)

Transmitted power (MW)

 

0 , 0 , 0 ,  0 ~ 1 2.3
1 , 1 , 1 , 1 / 11.0
1.5 , 1.3, 1 , 1 / 35
1.5 , 1.5 , 1 , 1 / 42.16
   

 

  • we placed at the transmission point a splitter the transmitted power before was 35 mW after placing it we had 26 mW
    • 97 % transmission , 3% reflected which goes to the beam profiler

 

  • We see degeneracy modes at the last step of 42.16 mW , so we started to test the D-shaped mirrors
    • the full range of the motors is 50.8 mm
    • each step =  30 nm , 30 000 steps = 1 mm

 

 

 

Attachment 1: 00mode_higer.jpg
00mode_higer.jpg
Attachment 2: 00mode_Removed_higer.jpg
00mode_Removed_higer.jpg
  160   Mon Sep 12 18:49:42 2022 Manar AmerFixedissuelasers and opticsOptical roomDamage on mirror surface

Following the storage of ~ 50 kW inside the cavity and a sudden drop in transmitted power from the cavity 

damage to the mirror surface was suspected.

We broke vacuum and took images of the surface of the 2 mirrors in the cavity, the spherical and the planar mirror 

image 1 , spherical reflective surface (no visible damage with the UV light, and no visible damage under the microscope)

image 2 , planar coupler mirror reflective surface (no visible damage under UV light, but under the microscope there is a damaged spot close to the center)

image 4 is the planar surface reflective surface at zoom 8 on the microscope.

 

Attachment 1: image001.jpg
image001.jpg
Attachment 2: image002.jpg
image002.jpg
Attachment 3: image004.jpg
image004.jpg
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