Diode-cladding-pumped Yb3+, Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber laser operating at 2.1-microm

The characteristics of the performance of a diode-cladding-pumped Yb3+, Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber laser are presented. To our knowledge this in the first demonstration of a Yb3+, Ho(3+)-doped fiber laser, and a maximum output power of 0.85 W was achieved for a launched pump power of 10.9 W. For launched pump powers < 7 W, the slope efficiency was approximately 12.5%. Visible fluorescence emission with peaks at approximately 485, approximately 550, and approximately 660 nm measured at the output from the laser suggests that excited-state absorption and energy-transfer upconversion losses may impair the functioning of the laser. Increasing the Yb3+ and Ho3+ concentrations and the Yb3+:Ho3+ concentration ratio may lead to an improvement in the overall efficiency of the device.     

Self-referenced point temperature sensor based on a fluorescence intensity ratio in Yb(3+)-doped silica fiber

An optical fiber temperature sensor, based on the fluorescence intensity ratio from the (2)F (5/2)(a) and (2)F(5/2)(b) Stark sublevels in ytterbium-doped silica fiber, has been investigated. Results of a sensor prototype demonstrate an accuracy near 1 degrees C in a 600 degrees C temperature range. Changes in the fluorescence intensity ratio because of variation in pump power, pump wavelength, and induced fiber bending loss are demonstrated to be small, supporting development of a practical sensor based on the technique described.     

Passively Q-switched Tm(3+)-doped silica fiber lasers

By splicing on a length of Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber onto a diode-pumped double-clad Tm(3+)-doped silica fiber, stable passive Q switching of the Tm(3+)-doped silica fiber laser is demonstrated. The formation of Q-switched pulses was found to depend on both the length and the position of the Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber that was inserted into the fiber laser cavity. For stable Q-switched pulse generation, Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber lengths shorter than twice the absorption depth must be used. For long Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber lengths, randomly generated pulses are observed at operating wavelengths longer than 2090 nm, which are attributed to intracavity pumping of the Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber.     

温度调谐掺Yb3+ 双包层光纤激光器研究

实验研究了掺Yb^3＋双包层光纤激光器的温度调谐特性。当光纤的温度从13℃变化到95℃时,输出激光的中心波长从1084．9nm增加到1096．3nm,输出激光功率从0．95W减小到0．58W。波长的调谐范围为11．4nm。理论分析表明,当光纤的温度升高时,高于零点的增益范围向长波方向移动,同时增益呈下降趋势。理论分析可以很好地解释实验现象。     

高功率双包层Er3+/Yb3+共掺光纤放大器的动态响应

基于速率方程的离散算法,分析了双包层Er3 /Yb3 共掺光纤放大器的动态响应,显示了输出功率和增益的动态特征。当单个脉冲注入放大器时,输出脉冲的峰值功率不仅依赖于输入脉冲的峰值功率,而且依赖于泵浦功率;当脉冲序列注入时,输出脉冲的功率和增益最终将收敛于它们的稳态值。在双信道情况下,输入脉冲重叠时的输出功率和增益变得更陡峭。在连续波泵浦下,反向自发辐射输出功率(ASE-)首先快速地增加到峰值功率,然后单调下降到稳态值;在脉冲波泵浦下,反向自发辐射输出功率(ASE )与光纤长度成反比,而ASE-与光纤长度成正比。     

Infrared-to-green up-conversion in Er3+, Yb3+-doped monoclinic KGd(WO4)2 single crystals

Optical spectroscopy of the green emission of erbium in KGd(WO₄)₂ (KGW) single crystals codoped with ytterbium ions is investigated. To do this, we firstly grew good-optical-quality KGW single crystals doped with Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ at several dopant concentrations by the Top-seeded-solution-growth slow-cooling method (TSSG). Green photoluminescence of Er³⁺ in KGW host was studied at room temperature (RT) and low temperature (10 K) by means of Yb³⁺ sensitization after infrared excitation at 981 nm (10194 cm⁻¹). We calculated the emission and gain cross-sections and compared these with those of other known Er³⁺-doped laser materials like LiYF₄ :Er (YLF:Er) and Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Er (YAG:Er) at RT. Our study also focused on determining the optimal concentration of ions for generating the most intense green emission. We measured the lifetime of the green emission after infrared pump at several Yb³⁺ concentrations. From the low-temperature emission experiments, we determined the energy position of the sublevels of the ground state of erbium.     

Growth,first-principles simulations and near-infrared optical properties of rare earth (Nd3+, Er3+)-doped CeF3 crystals for laser applications

Nd³⁺:CeF₃ and Er³⁺:CeF₃ crystals with different doping concentrations were successfully grown by the Bridgman method. The physicochemical parameters, such as crystal structure and phonon vibration energy were obtained by XRD and Raman tests. The results show that rare earth (Nd³⁺ or Er³⁺) does not change the hexagonal phase structure of the crystal, and the doping of rare earth ions does not change the maximum phonon frequency. The measured results are 388 and 392 cm^??1, respectively, which are similar to CeF₃ single crystal and half of common oxide crystal. According to the first principle, the difference charge density of the two crystals can be intuitively obtained. The calculated band gap values of the two crystals are 2.91 and 4.37 eV, respectively, which are similar to the results of absorption spectrum measurement. The NIR luminescence performance of Nd³⁺:CeF₃ crystal was tested by 808 nm pump. When the doping concentration reached 2 at%, the emission intensity was the strongest at 1064 nm (⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2). The luminescence properties of Er³⁺:CeF₃ crystal at 1550 nm (⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2) were tested by 980 nm pump. The emission intensity keeps the highest when the doping concentration reaches 3 at%. The concentration quenching and the dipole-dipole interaction in crystals are studied using energy transfer theory, and the J-O strength parameters of crystals are calculated. The results show that Nd³⁺:CeF₃ and Er³⁺:CeF₃ crystals have excellent properties and excellent near-infrared luminescence performance, which has great potential in laser applications.

     

Characterization of a Ho(3+)-doped fluoride fiber laser with a 3.9-mum emission wavelength

The fluoride fiber laser with the longest emission wavelength, the Ho(3+)-transition at 3.9 mum in the attenuation minimum of the 3-5-mum atmospheric window, is characterized. After reviewing the importance of fluoride fibers due to their low phonon energies, we describe room-temperature fluorescence and laser action with liquid-nitrogen cooling. Continuous-wave laser action at 3.9 mum is presented for the 640- and the 890-nm pump ranges. A shift of the emission wavelength is achieved by varying the resonator mirrors. Laser characteristics and temperature dependence are discussed.     

微波水热合成六方相NaYF4以及Yb3＋、Er3＋掺杂NaYF4微米管

为了合成单相以及Yb3+、 Er3+掺杂的六方结构NaYF4,采用微波水热的方法,以稀土硝酸盐、氟化钠、柠檬酸、氢氧化钠、乙酸乙酯和水为原料,合成了六方相NaYF4以及Yb3+、Er3+掺杂的六方相NaYF4 (NaYF4 ∶ Yb3+,Er3+)微米管. 利用XRD、SEM对所得样品的物相和形貌进行了表征. 研究了不同反应条件对产物形貌和物相的影响,并提出了NaYF4微米管的形成机理. 研究发现,采用微波加热的方法可以在较低的温度下快速得到单一六方相的NaYF4. 所制备的Yb3+、 Er3+掺杂NaYF4微米管的上转换发光性能与其体材料类似,具有较高的发光强度.     

Linearly polarized er(3+)-doped fiber laser by use of a fiber loop polarizer and a wavelength-selective fiber loop reflector

We demonstrate a novel single-polarization Er(3+)-doped fiber Fabry-Perot laser. The all-fiber Fabry-Perot cavity is simple inasmuch as it is formed by only two fiber-based components, a fiber loop polarizer and a wavelength-selective fiber loop reflector. The threshold power is 6.5 mW, the slope efficiency is 12.2%, and the extinction ratio is approximately 25 dB.     

Effect of homogeneous coating on K+-doped NaGdF4:Er3+,Yb3+ upconversion materials

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The K+-doped (Na1?xKx)GdF4:Er3+,Yb3+ upconversion materials were successfully synthesized by solvothermal method. The doping of K+ was...     

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell SiO2@(Er3+,Yb3+):Lu2O3

We synthesized crystalline Erbium Er³⁺ and Ytterbium Yb³⁺ codoped -Lu₂O₃ nanolayers on SiO₂ microspheres using the modified Pechini method. Two different kinds of precursors, nitrates and chlorides, have been used leading to a layer-to-layer morphology and necklaces structures, respectively. In both cases, the size of nanocrystallites constituting the optical active layer is around 5 nm. We performed X-ray powder diffraction to confirm the cubic crystalline structure of the sesquioxides layer. High resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses corroborate the crystalline nature of the layer. The optical emission of Er³⁺ in the visible range has been recorded.     

Demonstration of a rapidly strain tuned Er3+-doped fiber laser for sensitive gas detection

We describe a novel combination of a diode-pumped, wavelength-modulated Er(3+)-doped fiber laser light source with a sensitive noise cancellation circuit for detection of acetylene and ammonia. The laser tuning element, a fiber Bragg grating, was mounted in such a way that it could be strained controllably and rapidly, allowing noise cancellation techniques to be applied to the wavelength-modulated output of the fiber laser. The experimental setup is relatively simple and can be extended to other fiber laser wavelengths for which semiconductor lasers are not readily available by selection of a different fiber Bragg grating and gain medium.     

Efficiency dependence on the Tm3+ and Al3+ concentrations for Tm3+-doped silica double-clad fiber lasers

We present measurements of the slope efficiency and the pump power at threshold for a number of Tm3+-doped silica double-clad fiber lasers that incorporate fibers that have a range of Tm3+ concentrations. We obtain a slope efficiency for the approximately 2-microm 3H4 --> 3H6 laser transition that is greater than the Stokes efficiency limit for a Tm3+ concentration as low as 1.3 wt. %. These results indicate that the cross relaxation process, 3F4, 3H6 --> 3H4, 3H4, has a significant effect on the efficiency of the laser despite the relatively short lifetime of the 3F4 energy level. Energy migration of the excitation at the 3F4 level through the process 3F4, 3H6 --> 3H6, 3F4 may be enhancing the cross-relaxation mechanism. We also show the importance of reducing the level of clustering of the Tm3+ ion when it is doped into silica by use of appropriate amounts of Al3+ codopant. For Tm3+ concentrations of >1 wt. %, Al3+/Tm3+ concentration ratios of > 10 are recommended forreducing scattering losses, quenching the lifetime, or both.     

Pulsed pumped Yb3+-doped double-cladding fiber amplifier

A pulsed pumped Yb³⁺-doped double-cladding fiber (DCF) amplifier is reported, Seeded by a passive mode-locked Yb³⁺-doped fiber laser, the fiber amplifier can generate 200 W peak-power and 120 ps duration pulses at 100 Hz repetition rate. Because of the pulsed pump approach, the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and the spurious lasing between pulses are well avoided.     

Thermo-optical parameters and dispersion of pure and Yb(3+)-doped KY(WO4)2 laser crystals

Dispersion of the principal refractive indices of pure and Yb(3+) (20 at.%)-doped KY(WO(4))(2) crystal is obtained in the visible range of the spectrum. A comparatively strong increase of the refractive indices (0.005-0.007) was observed for the doped crystal. Temperature dependence of the principal refractive indices is measured in the temperature region of 290-690 K. Thermo-optical coefficients (TOCs) of the first dn/dt and the second (1/2)(d(2)n/dT(2)) order are determined. It is found that TOCs are negative for n(p) and n(g) and positive for n(m) in both crystals. Doping increases dn(p)/dT almost two times more in comparison to that of the pure crystal, while for the other two indices TOC changes are insignificant.     

Simulation of Tm 3+ -doped silica and Er 3+ -doped fluorozirconate fibre lasers

Computer simulation of the operation of diode-pumped Tm³⁺-doped silica and Er³⁺-doped fluorozirconate fibre lasers that use cladding-pumping models high-power continuous-wave output at wavelengths near 2 and 3 μm. The model has been used to examine the fibre laser performance for a variety of fibre and pump configurations. Good agreement has been found between the model calculations and published experimental measurements. The model has determined the slope effciency and relative performance of the fibre lasers when the pump wavelength was varied over the ³F₄ and ³H₄ absorption bands of Tm³⁺ and the ⁴⁺I_11/2 absorption band of Er³⁺. The calculated maximum slope effciencies were determined to be about 40, about 71 and about 31% respectively, for each absorption band pump scheme. The model was further used to analyse the fibre laser output when the Tm 3+ and Er 3+ dopant concentrations, absorption conditions and diffraction conditions are varied and the consequences on the operation of the fibre laser with these variations are discussed.     

The luminescent properties of Er3+–Yb3+-doped fluorophosphate fiber glass preforms at high temperatures

Optical properties of fluorophosphate Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ fiber preforms with different concentrations of ErF₃ and YbF₃ are investigated in the temperature interval 25–300 °C. The temperature-dependent absorption spectra and luminescence at 1535 nm (under the λ = 970 nm excitation) spectra as well as the ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 luminescence decay times are used to compute the luminescence cross-section σ_e(λ). Our results show that in the range of the temperature investigated the quenching effect due to the temperature increase weakly affects the luminescence cross-section and decay time, which make these materials promising for fiber-optics applications.     

Low-repetition-rate, high-energy, twin-pulse, passively mode locked Yb3+-doped fiber laser

We report an all-normal-dispersion, low-repetition-rate, high-energy, twin-pulse, passively mode locked ytterbium-doped fiber laser. The mode-locking mechanism of the laser is based on nonlinear polarization evolution and strong pulse shaping with a cascade long-period fiber grating bandpass filtering in a highly chirped pulse. The laser generates a highly stable twin-pulse group with 248?ps and 296?ps duration simultaneously and maximum pulse energy of 26.8?nJ-each pulse at a 2.5445?MHz repetition rate. Energy quantization is observed, which demonstrates the nonparabolic nature of these pulses. The laser can also work in third-harmonic mode locking with 17.8?nJ energy (at a repetition rate of 7.65?MHz and pulse width of 780?ps).