Ultra-low threshold lasing through phase front engineering via a metallic circular aperture

Semiconductor lasers with extremely low threshold power require a combination of small volume active region with high-quality-factor cavities. For ridge lasers with highly reflective coatings, an ultra-low threshold demands significantly suppressing the diffraction loss at the facets of the laser. Here, we demonstrate that introducing a subwavelength aperture in the metallic highly reflective coating of a laser can correct the phase front, thereby counter-intuitively enhancing both its modal reflectivity and transmissivity at the same time. Theoretical and experimental results manifest a decreasing in the mirror loss by over 40% and an increasing in the transmissivity by 104. Implementing this method on a small-cavity quantum cascade laser, room-temperature continuous-wave lasing operation at 4.5 μm wavelength with an electrical consumption power of only 143 mW is achieved. Our work suggests possibilities for future portable applications and can be implemented in a broad range of optoelectronic systems.

On the relationship between fundamental science and contemporary applied research in the field of high-rate laser Nanowhiskerography

In practice, in various areas of life, there is often a need to use materials that have mutually exclusive requirements. Therefore, the study of the issues related to manufacturing materials in certain states for certain technical applications, and methods of controlling structurally sensitive properties to obtain specified effects, is quite relevant today. A new effect was discovered, namely, the rapid growth of amorphous and composite materials in the form of “coherent” nanowhiskers using laser-induced plasma at temperatures exceeding 4,000oC and high pressures up to 100 thousand atmospheres at a rate reaching 80-100 m/s. This method of growing whiskers is based on fundamental studies of pulsed laser radiation and predictions of Nobel Prize laureates – Ch.H. Townes, A.M. Prokhorov (splitting of a laser beam of above-threshold power) and G.A. Askaryan (effects of self-focusing of light in the condensed state of matter, and sublimation evaporation). The authors show possible practical applications of this method, such as protection of securities, banknotes, and plastic cards, as well as production of a new type of silicon batteries, automotive catalysts, and solar silicon batteries.

Absorption efficiency analysis and optical resonator simulation of Ho:YLF laser pumped with Tm:fiber laser

In this paper, a Tm:fiber laser pumped Ho:YLF laser is simulated. The absorption efficiency, optimum crystal length, and optical resonator are analytically studied and simulated using LASCAD software, and the atomic-level degeneracies are considered in evaluating the absorption efficiency. In this way, the absorption efficiencies of 65% and 87% are obtained for single-pass 30 mm Ho:YLF crystal with doping concentration 0.5% and 1% respectively. These calculated efficiencies are verified by our experimental measurements and they coincide with acceptable errors. To estimate a proper length for the Ho:YLF crystal with specified doping concentration, the up-conversion, and the reabsorption effects are considered. As a result, we find the 30 mm length crystal is suited for reducing the absorption threshold and prohibiting reabsorption while saturation is controlled. The threshold power and slope efficiency for 65 W pumped powers are calculated by LASCAD software, and the thermal lens focal length of −665 mm is obtained. For a nearly constant beam width inside the cavity and suitable beam overlap efficiency, a concave-concave configuration is chosen for the optical resonator. In the continuous-wave operation, the output power is funded to be 38.4 W and the slope efficiency would be 66%.

Three weeks of a home-based “sleep low-train low” intervention improves functional threshold power in trained cyclists: A feasibility study

Background “Sleep Low-Train Low” is a training-nutrition strategy intended to purposefully reduce muscle glycogen availability around specific exercise sessions, potentially amplifying the training stimulus via augmented cell signalling. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a 3-week home-based “sleep low-train low” programme and its effects on cycling performance in trained athletes. Methods Fifty-five trained athletes (Functional Threshold Power [FTP]: 258 ± 52W) completed a home-based cycling training program consisting of evening high-intensity training (6 × 5 min at 105% FTP), followed by low-intensity training (1 hr at 75% FTP) the next morning, three times weekly for three consecutive weeks. Participant’s daily carbohydrate (CHO) intake (6 g·kg-1·d-1) was matched but timed differently to manipulate CHO availability around exercise: no CHO consumption post- HIT until post-LIT sessions [Sleep Low (SL), n = 28] or CHO consumption evenly distributed throughout the day [Control (CON), n = 27]. Sessions were monitored remotely via power data uploaded to an online training platform, with performance tests conducted pre-, post-intervention. Results LIT exercise intensity reduced by 3% across week 1, 3 and 2% in week 2 (P < 0.01) with elevated RPE in SL vs. CON (P < 0.01). SL enhanced FTP by +5.5% vs. +1.2% in CON (P < 0.01). Comparable increases in 5-min peak power output (PPO) were observed between groups (P < 0.01) with +2.3% and +2.7% in SL and CON, respectively (P = 0.77). SL 1-min PPO was unchanged (+0.8%) whilst CON improved by +3.9% (P = 0.0144). Conclusion Despite reduced relative training intensity, our data demonstrate short-term “sleep low-train low” intervention improves FTP compared with typically “normal” CHO availability during exercise. Importantly, training was completed unsupervised at home (during the COVID-19 pandemic), thus demonstrating the feasibility of completing a “sleep low-train low” protocol under non-laboratory conditions.

Third Harmonic Generation by Focusing Femtosecond Radiation with a Wavelength of 1032 nm in Air

In open publications the results of research on the third harmonic generation in the air by femtosecond laser radiation are presented. Most of the studies have been carried out using a titanium-sapphire laser with a central emission wavelength of 800 nm. This work presents for the first time the results of studies of the third harmonic generation in the air from laser radiation with a wavelength of 1032 nm. The source of the laser radiation was an ytterbium femtosecond laser which generated pulses with duration of ~ 250 fs and a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The average output power of the laser reached 1750 mW. Maximum peak intensity of excitation laser radiation was up to 10 TW/cm2. When focusing the laser radiation its filamentation took place and was accompanied by generation of the third harmonic radiation at wavelength of 344 nm. Spectral, energy and spatial characteristics of the generated third harmonic radiation were investigated. Energy measurements were carried out up to the threshold power of pump radiation at which the competing nonlinear processes in the circuit optical elements of the experimental setup began to occur. The maximum average third harmonic emission power was 1.52 mW with a third harmonic conversion efficiency of about 0.085 %. The far-field beam pattern had a symmetric Gaussian profile with a radiation divergence of 0.11 mrad which corresponds to the diffraction quality of the beam (M2 ≈ 1)

EFFECT OF THE DENSITY OF SURFACE V-DEFECTS ON LASER PROPERTIES OF InGaN/GaN HETEROSCTRUCTURES WITH MULTIPLE QUANTUM WELLS GROWN ON SILICON SUBSTRATES

We investigated the radiative properties of InGaN/GaN heterostructures with multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown on silicon substrates with different thicknesses of quantum wells at optical excitation. The correlation of laser and photoluminescent properties with the surface morphology of the gallium nitride coating layers and the density of V-defects has been established. It is shown that, with a growth in the density of V-defects, the threshold power density of the excitation of the generation of InGaN/GaN heterostructures with MQWs increases.

Performance Profile among Age Categories in Young Cyclists

Endurance profile assessment is of major interest to evaluate the cyclist’s performance potential. In this regard, maximal oxygen uptake and functional threshold power are useful functional parameters to determine metabolic training zones (ventilatory threshold). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the physiological profile of different road cyclist age categories (Youth, Junior, and Under-23) to obtain the performance requirements. Sixty-one competitive road cyclists (15–22 years) performed a maximal incremental test on a bike in order to determine functional parameters (maximal fat oxidation zone, ventilatory thresholds, maximal oxygen uptake, and functional threshold power) and metabolic training zones. The results suggest major differences, with the Youth group showing clear changes in all metabolic zones except in fat oxidation. The main differences between Under-23 vs. Junior groups were observed in maximal relative power output (Under-23: 6.70 W·Kg−1; Junior: 6.17 W·Kg−1) and relative functional threshold power (Under-23: 4.91 W·Kg−1; Junior: 4.48 W·Kg−1). The Youth group physiological profile is clearly different to the other age categories. Some parameters normalized to body weight (maximal oxygen consumption, load and functional threshold power) could be interesting to predict a sporting career during the Junior and Under-23 stages.

Functional Threshold Power Estimated from a 20-minute Time-trial Test is Warm-up-dependent

This study investigated the influence of different warm-up protocols on functional threshold power. Twenty-one trained cyclists (˙VO2max=60.2±6.8 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed an incremental test and four 20-min time trials preceded by different warm-up protocols. Two warm-up protocols lasted 45 min, with a 5-min time trial performed either 15 min (Traditional) or 25 min (Reverse) before the 20-min time trial. The other two warm-up protocols lasted 25 min (High Revolutions-per minute) and 10 min (Self-selected), including three fast accelerations and self-selected intensity, respectively. The power outputs achieved during the 20-min time trial preceded by the Traditional and Reverse warm-up protocols were significantly lower than the High Revolutions-per-minute and Self-selected protocols (256±30; 257±30; 270±30; 270±30 W, respectively). Participants chose a conservative pacing strategy at the onset (negative) for the Traditional and Reverse but implemented a fast-start strategy (U-shaped) for the High revolutions-per-minute and Self-selected warm-up protocols. In conclusion, 20-min time-trial performance and pacing are affected by different warm-ups. Consequently, the resultant functional threshold power may be different depending on whether the original protocol with a 5-min time trial is followed or not.

Power profiling and the power-duration relationship in cycling: a narrative review

Emerging trends in technological innovations, data analysis and practical applications have facilitated the measurement of cycling power output in the field, leading to improvements in training prescription, performance testing and race analysis. This review aimed to critically reflect on power profiling strategies in association with the power-duration relationship in cycling, to provide an updated view for applied researchers and practitioners. The authors elaborate on measuring power output followed by an outline of the methodological approaches to power profiling. Moreover, the deriving a power-duration relationship section presents existing concepts of power-duration models alongside exercise intensity domains. Combining laboratory and field testing discusses how traditional laboratory and field testing can be combined to inform and individualize the power profiling approach. Deriving the parameters of power-duration modelling suggests how these measures can be obtained from laboratory and field testing, including criteria for ensuring a high ecological validity (e.g. rider specialization, race demands). It is recommended that field testing should always be conducted in accordance with pre-established guidelines from the existing literature (e.g. set number of prediction trials, inter-trial recovery, road gradient and data analysis). It is also recommended to avoid single effort prediction trials, such as functional threshold power. Power-duration parameter estimates can be derived from the 2 parameter linear or non-linear critical power model: P(t) = W′/t + CP (W′—work capacity above CP; t—time). Structured field testing should be included to obtain an accurate fingerprint of a cyclist’s power profile.