Pulsed Optical Vortex Array Generation in a Self-Q-Switched Tm:YALO₃ Laser

Optical vortex arrays are characterized by specific orbital angular momentums, and they have important applications in optical trapping and manipulation, optical communications, secure communications, and high-security information processing. Despite widespread research on optical vortex arrays, the 2 mu m wavelength range remains underexplored. Pulsed lasers at 2 mu m are vital in laser medicine, sensing, communications, and nonlinear optic applications. The need for 2 mu m-pulsed structured optical vortices, combining the advantages of this wavelength range and optical vortex arrays, is evident. Therefore, using just three elements in the cavity, we demonstrate a compact self-Q-switched Tm:YALO(3) vortex laser by utilizing the self-modulation effect of a laser crystal and a defect spot mirror. By tuning the position of the defect spot and the output coupler, the resonator delivers optical vortex arrays with phase singularities ranging from 1 to 4. The narrowest pulse widths of the TEM00 LG(0,-1), two-, three-, and four-vortex arrays are 543, 1266, 1281, 2379, and 1615 ns, respectively. All the vortex arrays in our study have relatively high-power outputs, slope efficiencies, and single-pulse energies. This work paves the way for a 2 mu m-pulsed structured light source that has potential applications in optical trapping and manipulation, free-space optical communications, and laser medicine.