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Dual wavelength Q-switched cascade laser
Jianfeng Li1, Tomonori Hu, Stuart D Jackson
1Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS) and Centre for Ultrahigh-bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2006, Australia. lijianfeng@uestc.edu.cn
Optics Letters
|June 29, 2012
Summary
Researchers demonstrated a novel Q-switched fiber laser producing dual mid-infrared wavelengths. This breakthrough laser operates beyond 3 μm, offering stable pulse trains for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Fiber lasers offer advantages in beam quality and robustness.
- Mid-infrared (mid-IR) lasers are crucial for spectroscopy, sensing, and medical applications.
- Developing efficient and tunable mid-IR fiber lasers remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a diode-cladding-pumped, Q-switched, dual-wavelength fiber laser.
- To achieve laser operation in the mid-infrared region, specifically beyond 3 μm.
- To investigate the characteristics of laser pulses from different Ho3+-doped transitions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Ho3+-doped fluoride fiber cascade structure.
- Employed diode-cladding pumping for efficient energy transfer.
- Implemented Q-switching using an acousto-optic modulator.
- Investigated two distinct laser transitions: (5)I6 → (5)I7 and (5)I7 → (5)I8.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable, μs-level time-delayed pulse trains from both transitions.
- Observed dual-wavelength operation at 3.005 μm ((5)I6 → (5)I7) and 2.074 μm ((5)I7 → (5)I8).
- At 25 kHz repetition rate and maximum pump power, the 3.005 μm transition yielded 29 μJ pulse energy and 380 ns pulse width, while the 2.074 μm transition produced 7 μJ and 260 ns.
Conclusions:
- This work presents the first Q-switched fiber laser operating beyond 3 μm.
- The demonstrated dual-wavelength capability and mid-IR output are significant for various applications.
- The pulse characteristics are tunable with pump power, offering flexibility for specific requirements.
