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Directly diode-pumped holmium fiber lasers
Stuart D Jackson1, F Bugge, G Erbert
1Optical Fibre Technology Centre, University of Sydney, 206 National Innovation Centre, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, 1430 Australia. s.jackson@oftc.usyd.edu.au
Optics Letters
|September 4, 2007
Summary
This study demonstrates sensitizer-free mid-infrared fiber lasers using holmium-doped silica and fluoride fibers. Optimized fluoride fiber lasers achieved 162 mW output power at 2.86 microm, showcasing efficient mid-infrared light generation.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Mid-infrared (MIR) fiber lasers are crucial for various applications, including spectroscopy, sensing, and medical treatments.
- Developing efficient and compact MIR laser sources remains a significant challenge in photonics.
- Holmium (Ho3+) doping in silica and fluoride fibers offers potential for MIR emission, but sensitizer-free approaches are less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of sensitizer-free holmium-doped silica and fluoride fiber lasers.
- To explore the potential of these fibers for generating mid-infrared laser output.
- To compare the laser characteristics of Ho3+-doped silica and fluoride fibers.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of sensitizer-free holmium-doped silica and fluoride fibers.
- High-power diode laser pumping at 1148 nm.
- Characterization of laser output power, wavelength, and slope efficiency.
Main Results:
- A maximum output power of 162 mW at 2.86 microm was achieved using Ho3+, Pr3+-doped fluoride fiber with a slope efficiency of 24%.
- A maximum output power of 55 mW at 2.1 microm was generated using Ho3+-doped silica fiber with a slope efficiency of 27%.
- Pump excited state absorption was identified as a limiting factor in the silica fiber laser performance.
Conclusions:
- Sensitizer-free holmium-doped fluoride fibers are effective for generating high-power mid-infrared laser emission.
- Holmium-doped silica fiber lasers show promise but are limited by pump excited state absorption.
- These findings contribute to the development of efficient MIR fiber laser sources for diverse applications.
