全光纤超短脉冲掺Yb3+光纤环形激光器

讨论了自启动被动锁模掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器产生短脉冲的机理，并研制出全光纤结构超短脉冲掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器.采用两个976nm半导体激光器级联抽运作为抽运源，高掺杂浓度掺Yb³⁺光纤作为增益介质，利用光纤的非线性偏振旋转效应，得到自启动、十分稳定的ps量级锁模光脉冲.激光器锁模阈值功率260mW，输出功率25mW，锁模光脉冲中心波长1056nm，3dB带宽11.7nm，重复频率20MHz.与其他结构光纤激光器相比，这种全光纤结构具有更高的效率和更好的稳定性. 关键词： 环形光纤激光器 3+光纤')" href="#">高掺杂浓度掺Yb³⁺光纤 自启动 被动锁模     

Laser-diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser as a new pump source and its application to an Er3+, Yb3+-codoped high-output-power fiber amplifier

We propose a laser-diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser as a novel practical fiber amplifier pump source, and describe its first successful application of high-output-power operation (850 mW=+29.3 dB m) of an Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-codoped fiber amplifier at 1.55 μm. We have developed both bulk and microchip Yb:YAG lasers and obtained 3.3 W and 2.7 W, respectively, in the cw mode at room temperature. Laser-diode-pumped Yb:YAG lasers are shown to have a potential applicability to such fiber amplifiers as Pr³⁺-doped amplifiers and Tm³⁺-doped amplifiers, as well as Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-codoped fiber amplifiers. Received: 12 August 1999 / Revised version: 3 September 1999 / Published online: 20 October 1999     

Optical properties of Yb-doped fibers and fiber lasers at high temperature

Recent advances in power scaling of Yb^+ 3-doped fiber lasers to the kilowatt level suggest a need to examine the performance of Yb^+ 3-doped silica at temperatures well above ambient. We report experimental results for the absorption coefficient, emission cross-section, fluorescence lifetime, and slope efficiency of a Yb³⁺-doped large mode area (LMA) silica fiber for temperatures spanning 23 °C-977 °C. To the best of our knowledge these are the highest temperatures to date for which these optical properties have been measured. We find a sharp reduction in the energy storing capability and lasing performance of Yb^+ 3:SiO₂ above 500 °C that coincides with the onset of non-radiative transitions in the excited state manifold (thermal quenching). As the temperature increases from room temperature to 977 °C, absorption in the 1020-1120 nm operating band increases monotonically, concurrent with a reduction in absorption at the 920-nm and 977-nm pumping bands. Conversely, the spectral weight of the emission cross-section shifts from transitions above 1010 nm to those below, with the exception of the 977-nm emission band.     

A global design of high power Nd-Yb co-doped fiber lasers

A global optimization method - niche hybrid genetic algorithm (NHGA) based on fitness sharing and elite replacement is applied to optimize Nd³⁺-Yb³⁺ co-doped fiber lasers (NYDFLs) for obtaining maximum signal output power. With a objective function and different pumping powers, five critical parameters (the fiber length, L; the proportion of pump power for pumping Nd³⁺, η; Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ concentrations, N_Nd and N_Yb and output mirror reflectivity, R_out) of the given NYDFLs are optimized by solving the rate and power propagation equations. Results show that dividing equally the input pump power among 808 nm (Nd³⁺) and 940 nm (Yb³⁺) is not an optimal choice and the pump power of Nd³⁺ ions should be kept around 10-13.78% of the total pump power. Three optimal schemes are obtained by NHGA and the highest slope efficiency of the laser is able to reach 80.1%.     

Extractable energy from erbium-ytterbium co-doped pulsed fiber amplifiers and lasers

An analytic model is developed for evaluating the extractable energy from high energy pulsed erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber amplifiers and lasers. The energy extraction capabilities under the limitation of spurious lasing, due to amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), are mapped for various numerical apertures, single and multi transverse mode evolution and operating wavelengths. The model provides an assessment for the maximum pulse energy that can be extracted from a given erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber. In addition, the model can be used to determine the repetition rate and optimal length, under which the laser source will be optimally operated in order to achieve a required extracted energy, without spurious lasing. The results show a clear advantage in using 915 nm wavelength pump source over 975 nm, at high average power operation, due to augmented 1 μm ASE at 975 nm pump wavelength, as a result of the Yb³⁺ population inversion.     

Efficient Tm, Ho-co-doped silica fibre laser diode pumped at 1150 nm

High power and highly efficient operation of a Tm³⁺, Ho³⁺-doped silica fibre laser that is pumped with diode lasers operating at 1150 nm is demonstrated. Internal slope efficiencies approaching the Stokes limit were produced and the maximum output power was 2.9 W. High power diode lasers operating at 1150 nm are valuable pump sources for a range of fibre lasers offering output in the shortwave infrared spectrum.     

Energy transfer and infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence of Er/Yb-codoped halide modified tellurite glasses

We report on the energy transfer and frequency upconversion spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺-doped and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped TeO₂-ZnO-Na₂O-PbCl₂ halide modified tellurite glasses upon excitation with 808 and 978 nm laser diode. Three intense emissions centered at around 529, 546 and 657 nm, alongwith a very weak blue emission at 410 nm have clearly been observed for the Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped halide modified tellurite glasses upon excitation at 978 nm and the involved mechanisms are explained. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power confirms the fact that the two-photon contribute to the infrared to green-red upconversion emissions. And the blue upconversion at 410 nm involved a sequential three-photon absorption process.     

Threshold characteristics of linear cavity Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

The threshold characteristics of linear cavity Yb³⁺-doped double-clad fiber laser have been studied theoretically and experimentally. By solving rate equations, the expression for threshold pump power is obtained. The effects of fiber length, mirror reflectivity, pump wavelength, laser wavelength and Yb³⁺ concentration on threshold pump power are discussed. Then, the Yb³⁺-doped double-clad fiber laser with linear cavity is developed. By using various output couplers, threshold pump power has been measured. The experimental results are in accord with theory.     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of a diode-pumped high-power continuous-wave 912 nm Nd:GdVO4 laser operation at room temperature

Based on the rate equation of Nd³⁺-doped quasi-three-level lasers, a theoretical model of diode-end-pumped continuous-wave 912 nm Nd:GdVO₄ laser is presented. Lasing threshold and slope efficiency considering reabsorption effect are calculated and analyzed. It is found that the output performance of 912 nm laser operating at room temperature is influenced remarkably by the reabsorption loss and spatial distribution of the pump beam and laser beam. In experiments, the output power and average slope efficiency of 912 nm laser were investigated under different conditions. After optimization at the parameters of laser medium, working temperature and spatial distribution of the pump beam, up to 16.2 W continuous-wave 912 nm laser output was obtained at incident pump power of 67.0 W, with an average slope efficiency of 41.7%, to the best of our knowledge, this is the highest output power of diode-pumped 912 nm Nd:GdVO₄ laser by far.     

Linear polarization Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped fiber laser with novel innerclad structures

Results on high radiance Yb³⁺-doped fiber lasers with novel double innerclad structures (double-D clad and four hole) and polarized output at ≈1090 nm are presented. We have demonstrated >40% of the total output power being polarized, making the fiber laser suitable for LIDAR and second-harmonic generation (SHG) applications. It also showed a 10-nm tuning range with low (less than 10 mW) average power variations. The narrow linewidth source was pumped with a low cost, low brightness laser diode, and exhibited a relatively low slope efficiency, which gives room for improvement by using a 976-nm pump source where Yb³⁺ has a narrower linewidth and at least five times higher absorption.     

Evaluation of quenching effects on silica-based erbium doped fiber micro-ring lasers

While micro-ring lasers is a step forward for the miniaturization of fiber lasers, up-conversion quenching due to ion energy transfer may limit the device size and deteriorate system performance. The effect of Er³⁺ concentration quenching on the characteristics of silica-based Er-doped fiber (EDF) micro-ring laser was investigated. In particular, the dependence on Er³⁺ concentration and laser size of threshold pump power and quantum efficiency is discussed. To achieve high laser efficiency, it was found that ring diameter has to be ∼150 μm with ∼5 wt.% erbium concentration. The threshold value is increased by a factor of 340, for such laser characteristics compared with threshold power when up-conversion is not considered. Moreover, we show that detrimental effect due to up-conversion quenching can be reduced by careful micro-ring laser design.     

Effect of Ce codoping on Er-doped bismuth-germanate glass and fiber under 980 nm excitation

Er³⁺/Ce³⁺ codoped bismuth-germanate glasses with the composition of Bi₂O₃-GeO₂-Ga₂O₃-Na₂O were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, upconversion emission and lifetimes of Er³⁺ ions were measured, and the effects of Ce³⁺-doping on the spectroscopic properties of 1.53 μm band fluorescence of Er³⁺ ion were investigated based on the analysis of energy transfer between Er³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions. The results indicate that the 1.53 μm band fluorescence intensity can be improved evidently with the Ce³⁺-doped concentration under the excitation of 980 nm. Meanwhile, the theoretical simulation based on the population rate equation and light power propagation equation indicates that the C + L band signal gain can also be improved dramatically by introducing Ce³⁺ ions into the Er³⁺-doped bismuth-germanate glass fiber. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce Ce³⁺ ions when Er³⁺-doped bismuth-germanate glass with low phonon energy is applied to the 1.53 μm band broad Er³⁺-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA).     

In-band pumped Er:YAG ceramic laser with 11 W of output power at 1645 nm

We report on a high power polycrystalline Er:YAG ceramic laser in-band pumped by a cladding-pumped Er, Yb fiber laser wavelength locked at 1532 nm with a volume Bragg grating. Using 1.0 at % Er³⁺-doped ceramic as the gain medium and an output coupler of 10% transmission, the laser had a threshold pump power of ∼1.5 W and generated 11 W of continuous-wave output at 1645 nm for 23.3 W of incident pump power at 1532 nm, corresponding to a slope efficiency with respect to incident pump power of 51%.     

Spectroscopic properties and diode-pumped 1594 nm laser performance of Er:Yb:Li6Y(BO3)3 crystal

An Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped Li₆Y(BO₃)₃ crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra and the fluorescence decay curve were recorded. The efficiency of energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ ions was estimated. Quasi-continuous-wave output power of 325 mW at 1594 nm was realized under the absorbed pump power of 10.4 W in a hemispherical cavity. The absorbed pump threshold and slope efficiency of the laser are 6.0 W and 7.2%, respectively. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.70.Hj     

高浓度镱铒共掺磷酸盐光纤放大器增益特性

在忽略高能级的自发辐射和光纤损耗的情况下，利用速率方程和传输方程理论研究了高浓度Er³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺磷酸盐玻璃光纤放大器的增益特性，讨论了Er³⁺浓度、Yb³⁺浓度、抽运光功率、信号光功率、光纤长度对放大器增益的影响，并与单掺铒光纤放大器进行了比较.由于Yb³⁺的敏化作用降低了铒离子的团簇效应，减少了离子间相互作用，共掺光纤的增益和效率明显高于单掺光纤.数值计算表明，3.2cm长Er³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺光纤在980nm的20dBm(100mW)抽运功率下，1532nm处的增益可达10dB. 关键词： 镱铒共掺光纤放大器 速率方程 传输方程 高浓度     

Upconversion fluorescence property of Er/Yb-codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence property of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass under 975 nm LD excitation has been studied. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546 and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively, were observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546 and 657 nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs. The structure of the bismuth-germanium glass has been investigated by peak-deconvolution of FT-Raman spectrum, and the structural information was obtained from the peak wavenumbers. This novel bismuth-germanium glass with low maximum phonon energy (∼750 cm⁻¹) can be used as potential host material for upconversion lasers.     

GENERATION OF MULTI-WAVELENGTH VISIBLE LIGHT IN Er3+-DOPED AND Er3+/Yb3+-DOPED SINGLE-MODE OPTICAL FIBER PUMPED AT 1313 nm

We report the generation of multi-wavelength visible light through amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in Er³⁺-doped and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-doped germanosilicate single-mode optical fiber pumped by a Nd:YLF laser at 1313nm. In the Er³⁺-doped fiber, the intense multi-wavelength blue emission hnes around 463-510nm corre-spond to transitions born ²G_7/2 etc. excited states to the metastable ⁴I_13/2 state, and their pumping mechanists is aecomphshed by a stepwise four-photon absorption. Some emission hnes in this wavelength region are attributed to the three-wave sum-frequency process of 1313 and 1530nm (corresponds to ⁴I_13/2 -⁴I_15/2). The intense green emission hnes at 525 and 540 nm are also observed in the Er³⁺-doped fiber. In the Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-doped fiber the blue and green lines are very weak compared with those in the Er³⁺-doped fiber.     

Passive Q-switching of short-length Tm-doped silica fiber lasers by polycrystalline Cr:ZnSe microchips

We demonstrate passive Q-switching of short-length double-clad Tm³⁺-doped silica fiber lasers near 2 μm pumped by a laser diode array (LDA) at 790 nm. Polycrystalline Cr²⁺:ZnSe microchips with thickness from 0.3 to 1 mm are adopted as the Q-switching elements. Pulse duration of 120 ns, pulse energy over 14 μJ and repetition rate of 53 kHz are obtained from a 5-cm long fiber laser. As high as 530 kHz repetition rate is achieved from a 50-cm long fiber laser at ∼10-W pump power. The performance of the Q-switched fiber lasers as a function of fiber length is also analyzed.     

Infrared-to-visible upconversion in Er and Er/Yb activated Sb2O4 nanopowders prepared by sol-gel route

We prepared Er³⁺ doped and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped Sb₂O₄ nanocrystals by the sol-gel method. The Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and photoluminescence spectra of the samples were studied. The phonon energy of the Sb₂O₄ nanocrystals is very low (the maximum value being 461 cm⁻¹). The upconversion (UC) red emission of the Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped sample is very strong at 975 nm laser diode excitation. The Sb₂O₄ nanocrystals will be a promising luminous material.