Generation of Q-switched Pulses in Thulium-doped and Thulium/Holmium-co-doped Fiber Lasers using MAX phase (Ti₃AlC₂)

A MAX phase Ti₃AlC₂ thin film is demonstrated as a saturable absorber (SA) to induce Q-switching in the 2.0 μm region. The Ti₃AlC₂ thin film is sandwiched between two fiber ferrules and integrated into thulium doped fiber laser (TDFL) and thulium-holmium doped fiber laser (THDFL) cavities. Stable Q-switched pulses are observed at 1980.79 nm and 1959.3 nm in the TDFL and THDFL cavities respectively, with repetition rates of 32.57 kHz and 21.94 kHz and corresponding pulse widths of 2.72 μs and 3.9 μs for both cavities. The performance of the Ti₃AlC₂ based SA for Q-switching operation indicates the high potential of other MAX phase materials to serve as SAs in future photonics systems.