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ID Date Author Status Type Categorydown Location Title
  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
  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
  161   Mon Sep 12 18:50:57 2022 Manar AmerFixedissuelasers and opticsOptical roomDamage on mirror surface

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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.

 

 

  162   Tue Sep 13 19:26:27 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomDamage on mirror surface

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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.

 

 

 

  163   Tue Sep 13 19:31:14 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomliPower storage In Cavity

After changing the mirror M1 and cleaning the 2 mirrors

They were placed in the cavity box (avoiding touching the mounts to not affect the alignment and placing the mirrors as close to the previous position)

we saw horizontal higher order modes immediately after injecting power,  horizontal misalignment!!.

We aligned the injected beam, adjusted the cavity length and saw the modes 01 (high transition) and 00 (ok but still much lower than 01)

The image attached shows some coupling < 5% , we adjusted the CEP, but it was the max coupling.

we will need to align better tomorrow to increase 00 modes.

The cavity box is closed and placed under vacuum again.

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: Screenshot_2022-09-13_0_184445.png
Screenshot_2022-09-13_0_184445.png
  164   Wed Sep 14 16:16:08 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomPower storage In Cavity

The cavity was locked under vacuum, coupling is approximately < 10%

The lock was relatively easy and the usual sign (oscillations on the transmission tail) of high finesse on the transmission signal was not seen.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

After changing the mirror M1 and cleaning the 2 mirrors

They were placed in the cavity box (avoiding touching the mounts to not affect the alignment and placing the mirrors as close to the previous position)

we saw horizontal higher order modes immediately after injecting power,  horizontal misalignment!!.

We aligned the injected beam, adjusted the cavity length and saw the modes 01 (high transition) and 00 (ok but still much lower than 01)

The image attached shows some coupling < 5% , we adjusted the CEP, but it was the max coupling.

we will need to align better tomorrow to increase 00 modes.

The cavity box is closed and placed under vacuum again.

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: High_Finesse_sign_on_transmission_.jpg
High_Finesse_sign_on_transmission_.jpg
Attachment 2: Screenshot_2022-09-14_0_161520.png
Screenshot_2022-09-14_0_161520.png
  165   Wed Sep 14 17:21:59 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomPower storage In Cavity

We improved the lock using the alignment, polarization and CEP , the maximum we got was ~ 12% coupling

only the second stage is on !

Decision : this is the maximum we can obtain using the M1 from mighty laser

tomorrow we break the vacuum and try with shifting M1 from ThomX position to avoid the damaged spot

Manar Amer wrote:

The cavity was locked under vacuum, coupling is approximately < 10%

The lock was relatively easy and the usual sign (oscillations on the transmission tail) of high finesse on the transmission signal was not seen.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

After changing the mirror M1 and cleaning the 2 mirrors

They were placed in the cavity box (avoiding touching the mounts to not affect the alignment and placing the mirrors as close to the previous position)

we saw horizontal higher order modes immediately after injecting power,  horizontal misalignment!!.

We aligned the injected beam, adjusted the cavity length and saw the modes 01 (high transition) and 00 (ok but still much lower than 01)

The image attached shows some coupling < 5% , we adjusted the CEP, but it was the max coupling.

we will need to align better tomorrow to increase 00 modes.

The cavity box is closed and placed under vacuum again.

 

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: Screenshot_2022-09-14_0_161520.png
Screenshot_2022-09-14_0_161520.png
  166   Fri Sep 16 15:56:45 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomDamage on mirror surface

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: M1_mirror_on_Microscope_stand0.jpg
M1_mirror_on_Microscope_stand0.jpg
Attachment 2: M1X_front_min_zoom.jpg
M1X_front_min_zoom.jpg
Attachment 3: M1X_front_max_zoom.jpg
M1X_front_max_zoom.jpg
Attachment 4: M1X_front_damaged_spot_max_zoom.jpg
M1X_front_damaged_spot_max_zoom.jpg
  167   Fri Sep 16 17:47:56 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomDamage on mirror surface

ThomX injection mirror has been cleaned and placed again inside the optical cavity.

This time to avoid the damaged spot I have displaced the mirror mount horizontally to have a distance between center of the beam and the spot ~ 2.5 - 3 mm.

The alignment was affected slightly but recovered by adjusting the mirror mount nobs, (00 mode observed in air)

The cavity was closed is being pumped with vacuum.

To be done: adjust the cavity length and find the resonance, improve the outer alignment, lock the cavity

Manar Amer wrote:

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

  168   Tue Sep 20 12:50:40 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomM1 ThomX used while shifted from damaged spot

Yesterday , we locked the cavity and we see a sign of a high finesse on the transmission signal, but no measurement of Finesse was done.

we have a coupling of ~ 45%, which is a loss of 20% from the previous coupling of 60%

an estimate done by Ronic MATLAB simulation for the coupling drop where we have 200 pp additional losses and gain of 2.6 k we should get a transmission of 1.1 mW for injected power of ~ 300 mW

which is consistent with the power measured after a 50% beam splitter on transmission we got 0.51 mW (total would be 1.02mW)

in addition, there is a beam that is next to the mode of the cavity , confirmed it was not a reflection from the beam splitter or the optics.

it could be that we are still close to the damaged spot ?

Manar Amer wrote:

ThomX injection mirror has been cleaned and placed again inside the optical cavity.

This time to avoid the damaged spot I have displaced the mirror mount horizontally to have a distance between center of the beam and the spot ~ 2.5 - 3 mm.

The alignment was affected slightly but recovered by adjusting the mirror mount nobs, (00 mode observed in air)

The cavity was closed is being pumped with vacuum.

To be done: adjust the cavity length and find the resonance, improve the outer alignment, lock the cavity

Manar Amer wrote:

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: Screenshot_2022-09-19_2_172943.png
Screenshot_2022-09-19_2_172943.png
Attachment 2: Screenshot_2022-09-19_1_171834.png
Screenshot_2022-09-19_1_171834.png
Attachment 3: 00mode_LOCK.jpg
00mode_LOCK.jpg
Attachment 4: 00mode_LOCK_saturaed.jpg
00mode_LOCK_saturaed.jpg
  169   Wed Sep 21 12:10:07 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomM1 ThomX used while shifted from damaged spot

To compare between the 2 images of the cavity mode:

  • the mode by itself has an integration time of 0.06 ms, position (x, y) = (1142.969, -53.932) um on the beam profiler 
  • the mode saturated with the spot next to it almost at max intensity has an integration time of 50 ms, position (-3700, -2000) um

comparing the positions of both spots, they have difference (4842.969, 2053.932) um

------ > total difference on the beam profiler ~ 5.3 mm , the distance from the spherical mirror to the beam profiler is ~ 40 cm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Yesterday , we locked the cavity and we see a sign of a high finesse on the transmission signal, but no measurement of Finesse was done.

we have a coupling of ~ 45%, which is a loss of 20% from the previous coupling of 60%

an estimate done by Ronic MATLAB simulation for the coupling drop where we have 200 pp additional losses and gain of 2.6 k we should get a transmission of 1.1 mW for injected power of ~ 300 mW

which is consistent with the power measured after a 50% beam splitter on transmission we got 0.51 mW (total would be 1.02mW)

in addition, there is a beam that is next to the mode of the cavity , confirmed it was not a reflection from the beam splitter or the optics.

it could be that we are still close to the damaged spot ?

Manar Amer wrote:

ThomX injection mirror has been cleaned and placed again inside the optical cavity.

This time to avoid the damaged spot I have displaced the mirror mount horizontally to have a distance between center of the beam and the spot ~ 2.5 - 3 mm.

The alignment was affected slightly but recovered by adjusting the mirror mount nobs, (00 mode observed in air)

The cavity was closed is being pumped with vacuum.

To be done: adjust the cavity length and find the resonance, improve the outer alignment, lock the cavity

Manar Amer wrote:

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  170   Mon Sep 26 16:15:06 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomM1 ThomX used while shifted from damaged spot

On Wednesday 21st , I opened the cavity did an additional 2 mm shift of the injection mirror and put it under vacuum again.

Locked the cavity, and observed the transmitted beam.

The second spot is still visible on the beam profiler , the distance difference between the 2 spots is ~ 5.2 mm (the same as before )

no difference in distance, decreases the likelihood that it is from the damage (to be investigated more)

in addition, we have locked at the reflection from the cavity to confirm the spot next to the beam.

We took two images when the laser was locked with the cavity and when it was not.

We clearly see that the spot is indeed related to the mode of the cavity. And probably the damaged spot.

(Difference is size on the reflection image is due to the distance is larger than the transmission + the spherical mirror effect is not there)

 

Manar Amer wrote:

To compare between the 2 images of the cavity mode:

  • the mode by itself has an integration time of 0.06 ms, position (x, y) = (1142.969, -53.932) um on the beam profiler 
  • the mode saturated with the spot next to it almost at max intensity has an integration time of 50 ms, position (-3700, -2000) um

comparing the positions of both spots, they have difference (4842.969, 2053.932) um

------ > total difference on the beam profiler ~ 5.3 mm , the distance from the spherical mirror to the beam profiler is ~ 40 cm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Yesterday , we locked the cavity and we see a sign of a high finesse on the transmission signal, but no measurement of Finesse was done.

we have a coupling of ~ 45%, which is a loss of 20% from the previous coupling of 60%

an estimate done by Ronic MATLAB simulation for the coupling drop where we have 200 pp additional losses and gain of 2.6 k we should get a transmission of 1.1 mW for injected power of ~ 300 mW

which is consistent with the power measured after a 50% beam splitter on transmission we got 0.51 mW (total would be 1.02mW)

in addition, there is a beam that is next to the mode of the cavity , confirmed it was not a reflection from the beam splitter or the optics.

it could be that we are still close to the damaged spot ?

Manar Amer wrote:

ThomX injection mirror has been cleaned and placed again inside the optical cavity.

This time to avoid the damaged spot I have displaced the mirror mount horizontally to have a distance between center of the beam and the spot ~ 2.5 - 3 mm.

The alignment was affected slightly but recovered by adjusting the mirror mount nobs, (00 mode observed in air)

The cavity was closed is being pumped with vacuum.

To be done: adjust the cavity length and find the resonance, improve the outer alignment, lock the cavity

Manar Amer wrote:

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: 00mode_damaged_0_26ms.jpg
00mode_damaged_0_26ms.jpg
Attachment 2: 00mode_damaged_saturted_50ms.jpg
00mode_damaged_saturted_50ms.jpg
Attachment 3: reflection_noLock.jpg
reflection_noLock.jpg
Attachment 4: reflection_Lock_0_15ms.jpg
reflection_Lock_0_15ms.jpg
  171   Tue Sep 27 19:30:49 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomM1 Gamma Factory

In the morning, Vacuum broken and rotated M1 ThomX 90 degrees clockwise, locked the cavity in air and we observe a degeneracy close to the fundamental mode.

In the afternoon, I cleaned M1 from Gamma factory using pure ethanol and pure water with the spincoater

then placed it as the coupling mirror, aligned and locked in air. we observed similar degeneracy to before next to the fundamental mode.

During the process, M2 spherical from ThomX installed in the cavity was not changed. There could be damage on it, will investigate tomorrow.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

On Wednesday 21st , I opened the cavity did an additional 2 mm shift of the injection mirror and put it under vacuum again.

Locked the cavity, and observed the transmitted beam.

The second spot is still visible on the beam profiler , the distance difference between the 2 spots is ~ 5.2 mm (the same as before )

no difference in distance, decreases the likelihood that it is from the damage (to be investigated more)

in addition, we have locked at the reflection from the cavity to confirm the spot next to the beam.

We took two images when the laser was locked with the cavity and when it was not.

We clearly see that the spot is indeed related to the mode of the cavity. And probably the damaged spot.

(Difference is size on the reflection image is due to the distance is larger than the transmission + the spherical mirror effect is not there)

 

Manar Amer wrote:

To compare between the 2 images of the cavity mode:

  • the mode by itself has an integration time of 0.06 ms, position (x, y) = (1142.969, -53.932) um on the beam profiler 
  • the mode saturated with the spot next to it almost at max intensity has an integration time of 50 ms, position (-3700, -2000) um

comparing the positions of both spots, they have difference (4842.969, 2053.932) um

------ > total difference on the beam profiler ~ 5.3 mm , the distance from the spherical mirror to the beam profiler is ~ 40 cm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Yesterday , we locked the cavity and we see a sign of a high finesse on the transmission signal, but no measurement of Finesse was done.

we have a coupling of ~ 45%, which is a loss of 20% from the previous coupling of 60%

an estimate done by Ronic MATLAB simulation for the coupling drop where we have 200 pp additional losses and gain of 2.6 k we should get a transmission of 1.1 mW for injected power of ~ 300 mW

which is consistent with the power measured after a 50% beam splitter on transmission we got 0.51 mW (total would be 1.02mW)

in addition, there is a beam that is next to the mode of the cavity , confirmed it was not a reflection from the beam splitter or the optics.

it could be that we are still close to the damaged spot ?

Manar Amer wrote:

ThomX injection mirror has been cleaned and placed again inside the optical cavity.

This time to avoid the damaged spot I have displaced the mirror mount horizontally to have a distance between center of the beam and the spot ~ 2.5 - 3 mm.

The alignment was affected slightly but recovered by adjusting the mirror mount nobs, (00 mode observed in air)

The cavity was closed is being pumped with vacuum.

To be done: adjust the cavity length and find the resonance, improve the outer alignment, lock the cavity

Manar Amer wrote:

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: 00mode_ThomX_Mirror_degeneracySpot_1point04ms.jpg
00mode_ThomX_Mirror_degeneracySpot_1point04ms.jpg
Attachment 2: 00mode_ThomX_Mirror_degeneracySpot_saturateat50.jpg
00mode_ThomX_Mirror_degeneracySpot_saturateat50.jpg
Attachment 3: Coupling_mirror_.jpeg
Coupling_mirror_.jpeg
  172   Wed Sep 28 18:43:51 2022 Manar AmerFixedreportlasers and opticsOptical roomM2 ThomX spherical Cleaning

Today, M2 Spherical-3 from ThomX that was installed inside the SBox was removed, there was one big dust on the surface of the mirror, mirror was cleaned

using pure ethanol and pure water with spincoater. (images taken with arrow far from us)

M1 from Gamma factory, fixed with the addition of the ring with 3 screws.

The mode was immediately seen after, did not have to align. After locking the cavity, we do not see the degeneracy resonance we saw yesterday.

But we still see the spot on the bottom left of the mode in transmission. The integration time for both centers maximums were 0.34 for mode and 200 for spot.

After optimizing the polarization and the CEP, we managed to get a coupling of ~ 25%

 

Manar Amer wrote:

In the morning, Vacuum broken and rotated M1 ThomX 90 degrees clockwise, locked the cavity in air and we observe a degeneracy close to the fundamental mode.

In the afternoon, I cleaned M1 from Gamma factory using pure ethanol and pure water with the spincoater

then placed it as the coupling mirror, aligned and locked in air. we observed similar degeneracy to before next to the fundamental mode.

During the process, M2 spherical from ThomX installed in the cavity was not changed. There could be damage on it, will investigate tomorrow.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

On Wednesday 21st , I opened the cavity did an additional 2 mm shift of the injection mirror and put it under vacuum again.

Locked the cavity, and observed the transmitted beam.

The second spot is still visible on the beam profiler , the distance difference between the 2 spots is ~ 5.2 mm (the same as before )

no difference in distance, decreases the likelihood that it is from the damage (to be investigated more)

in addition, we have locked at the reflection from the cavity to confirm the spot next to the beam.

We took two images when the laser was locked with the cavity and when it was not.

We clearly see that the spot is indeed related to the mode of the cavity. And probably the damaged spot.

(Difference is size on the reflection image is due to the distance is larger than the transmission + the spherical mirror effect is not there)

 

Manar Amer wrote:

To compare between the 2 images of the cavity mode:

  • the mode by itself has an integration time of 0.06 ms, position (x, y) = (1142.969, -53.932) um on the beam profiler 
  • the mode saturated with the spot next to it almost at max intensity has an integration time of 50 ms, position (-3700, -2000) um

comparing the positions of both spots, they have difference (4842.969, 2053.932) um

------ > total difference on the beam profiler ~ 5.3 mm , the distance from the spherical mirror to the beam profiler is ~ 40 cm

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Yesterday , we locked the cavity and we see a sign of a high finesse on the transmission signal, but no measurement of Finesse was done.

we have a coupling of ~ 45%, which is a loss of 20% from the previous coupling of 60%

an estimate done by Ronic MATLAB simulation for the coupling drop where we have 200 pp additional losses and gain of 2.6 k we should get a transmission of 1.1 mW for injected power of ~ 300 mW

which is consistent with the power measured after a 50% beam splitter on transmission we got 0.51 mW (total would be 1.02mW)

in addition, there is a beam that is next to the mode of the cavity , confirmed it was not a reflection from the beam splitter or the optics.

it could be that we are still close to the damaged spot ?

Manar Amer wrote:

ThomX injection mirror has been cleaned and placed again inside the optical cavity.

This time to avoid the damaged spot I have displaced the mirror mount horizontally to have a distance between center of the beam and the spot ~ 2.5 - 3 mm.

The alignment was affected slightly but recovered by adjusting the mirror mount nobs, (00 mode observed in air)

The cavity was closed is being pumped with vacuum.

To be done: adjust the cavity length and find the resonance, improve the outer alignment, lock the cavity

Manar Amer wrote:

a better image of the damaged spot, image taken with the arrow for the reflective surface facing the other direction (image shows position)

The image of M1 for ThomX reflective surface was taken at min zoom (full image scale 13 mm) and max zoom (full image scale 2 mm) on microscope

The spot appears to be not close to the center of the mirror, at max zoom in the center we do not see the spot it is just out of the image 

the last image has the mirror position adjusted to center the damaged spot for a better image of it.

Manar Amer wrote:

After discussing, we have decided against shifting the mirror to avoid the time lost.

We changed the injection mirror to a different mirror from Mighty Laser set, Transmission of mirror 80 ppm. (no visible damage at the center of the mirror, only a small scratch on the back)

mirror cleaned using pure ethanol and pure water with spin coater, also the spherical mirror was cleaned again.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

Tomorrow will try to shift the injection mirror to avoid hitting the damaged spot.

 

Manar Amer wrote:

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: MS_directfromcavity_reduceSize.jpg
MS_directfromcavity_reduceSize.jpg
Attachment 2: MS_afteralcholeswipe_reducedSize.jpg
MS_afteralcholeswipe_reducedSize.jpg
Attachment 3: Screenshot_2022-09-28_0_172610.png
Screenshot_2022-09-28_0_172610.png
Attachment 4: 00mode0point34ms_transmission.jpg
00mode0point34ms_transmission.jpg
Attachment 5: 00mode_200ms.jpg
00mode_200ms.jpg
Attachment 6: reflection_lock.jpg
reflection_lock.jpg
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