Less than 1% quantum defect fiber lasers via ytterbium-doped multicomponent fluorosilicate optical fiber

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• High-power fiber lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Minimizing quantum defects is essential for reducing heat generation and improving efficiency.
• Ytterbium-doped fiber lasers offer potential for efficient operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate ytterbium-doped fiber lasers with minimal quantum defects.
• To investigate the performance of a novel multicomponent fluorosilicate fiber.
• To explore a pathway for scaling high-power fiber laser systems.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a multicomponent fluorosilicate active optical fiber using the molten core method.
• Characterization of the fiber's spectral properties, including emission wavelength and upper state lifetime.
• Demonstration of two ytterbium-doped fiber lasers with pumping at 976.6 and 981.0 nm.

Main Results:

• Achieved quantum defects of less than 1% for both demonstrated lasers.
• Observed lasing wavelengths at 985.7 and 989.8 nm.
• Attained a best-case slope efficiency of 62.1%, closely matching theoretical predictions.

Conclusions:

• The developed fiber lasers show excellent performance with significantly reduced quantum defects.
• The novel fluorosilicate fiber exhibits favorable spectral characteristics for laser applications.
• This research provides a promising direction for the development of future high-power fiber laser systems with improved thermal management.