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Widely tunable in-band-pumped Tm:CaF2 laser
Optics Letters
|August 16, 2020
Summary
This study demonstrates efficient laser operation of a Thulium-doped Calcium Fluoride (Tm:CaF2) crystal, achieving high slope efficiency and output power. The laser system offers a wide tuning range for versatile applications in the infrared spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics
- Solid-state lasers
- Infrared optics
Background:
- Thulium-doped crystals are promising for infrared laser applications.
- Efficient in-band pumping is crucial for optimizing laser performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficient laser operation of a Tm:CaF2 crystal.
- To characterize the laser performance under in-band pumping.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Tm:CaF2 crystal as the gain medium.
- Employed an Er-Yb-codoped fiber laser system for in-band pumping at 1610 nm.
- Operated the laser in a continuous-wave regime.
Main Results:
- Achieved a laser slope efficiency of 55% with respect to incident pump power.
- Obtained a maximum output power of 1.25 W at approximately 1.88 µm.
- Demonstrated a continuous tuning range of 180 nm, reaching down to 1773 nm with a nearly diffraction-limited beam (M²=1.14).
Conclusions:
- The Tm:CaF2 crystal exhibits excellent laser performance when in-band pumped.
- The demonstrated laser system is efficient and tunable, suitable for various spectroscopic and photonic applications.
- Further research can explore higher power operation and different cavity configurations.
