Lasing at 2.1 µm pumped by a simultaneous-gain clad laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Fluorotellurite fibers offer unique optical properties for laser development.
• Developing efficient cladding-pumped lasers requires careful material composition and fiber design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a simultaneous-gain cladding-pumped laser in a fluorotellurite fiber.
• To investigate the feasibility of co-doping Tm³⁺ and Ho³⁺ for dual-wavelength laser generation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a fluorotellurite double-clad preform using a secondary suction method.
• Doping the core with holmium (Ho³⁺) and the inner cladding with thulium (Tm³⁺).
• Utilizing a 1570 nm fiber laser to pump the Tm³⁺-doped inner cladding, subsequently pumping the Ho³⁺-doped core.

Main Results:

• A 1.94 µm laser was generated from the Tm³⁺ ions in the inner cladding.
• A 2.06 µm laser was successfully obtained from the Ho³⁺-doped core.
• The simultaneous-gain cladding-pumped approach proved effective for core laser production.

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous-gain cladding-pumping is a viable technique for generating lasers in fluorotellurite fibers.
• This method enables efficient dual-wavelength laser output by co-doping Tm³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions.