Abstract

Amplified spontaneous emission, ASE, generated by a Ti:Al₂O₃ laser amplifier has been measured as a function of pump energy, and thus gain, using the atomic absorption of Rubidium, Rb, gas at 0,780 μm. By tuning the Ti:Al₂O₃ laser, the Rb cell could selectively absorb the narrow spectral bandwidth laser radiation while transmitting the wide spectral bandwidth ASE, Transmission of laser amplifier pulses through a Rb absorption cell, measured at various temperatures, thus allows the measurement of the weak ASE in the vicinity of the strong laser pulse. A model for the transmission of Rb as a function of temperature and wavelength has been developed. The measured transmissions are in good agreement with the transmission model predictions.

© 1989 Optical Society of America