Experimental and numerical study of the switching dynamics of Raman fiber lasers

We present an experimental and numerical survey of the switching behavior of cascaded Raman fiber lasers (RFLs). When these lasers are switched on, the output power shows a pulsing behavior where the pulse powers strongly exceed the steady-state output powers. The influence of the pump-laser and fiber properties of a RFL on this dynamical behavior is investigated both experimentally and numerically, where experiments and simulations showed good qualitative agreement. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.55.Ye; 42.60.Lh     

Power scaling of Tm3+ doped ZBLAN blue upconversion fiber lasers: modeling and experiments

Power scaling of Tm³⁺ doped ZBLAN blue upconversion fiber lasers was investigated by a simple model. Based on our experimental results on blue fiber lasers, we discuss the effects of photodegradation and photocuring, fiber length, the reflectivity of the coupler mirror and fiber core diameter on further enhancement of blue fiber laser, respectively. The optimal parameters (including fiber length, fiber core diameter and the reflectivity of the coupler mirror) for the operation of high power (>1 W) blue fiber laser were presented through simple numerical simulations, which are valuable for the future design of high power blue upconversion fiber laser. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.60. Lh     

Actively mode-locked Tm-Ho:LiYF<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Tm-Ho:BaY<Subscript>2</Subscript>F<Subscript>8</Subscript> lasers

We report on the generation of mode-locking pulse trains with high average output powers from diode-pumped Tm-Ho:LiYF₄ and Tm-Ho:BaY₂F₈ lasers emitting at around 2 μm. The highest output power of 365 mW was obtained with the Tm-Ho:YLF₄ laser, whereas the shortest pulse duration of 120 ps and the widest tunability range of 59 nm was achieved with the Tm-Ho:BaY₂F₈ laser. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Fc; 42.72.Ai; 42.55.Rz; 42.70.Hj     

Room-temperature cw and pulsed operation of a diode-end-pumped Tm:YAP laser

We report the continuous-wave and acousto-optical Q-switched operation of a diode-end-pumped Tm:YAP laser. Continuous-wave output power of 3.5 W at 1.99 μm was obtained under the absorbed pump power of 14 W. Under Q-switched laser operation, the average output power increased from 1.57 W to 2.0 W, with an absorbed pump power of 12.6 W, as the repetition rate increased from 1 kHz to 10 kHz. The maximum Q-switched pulse energy was 1.57 mJ with a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The minimum pulse width was measured to be about 80 ns, corresponding to a peak power of 19.6 kW. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Gd     

The comparative analysis and optimization of the free-running Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAP and Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAG microlasers

The thulium microlasers based on yttrium-aluminium perovskite and yttrium-aluminium garnet crystals are considered as coherent light sources at the wavelength near 2 μm. The comparative analysis of these lasers is carried out by means of the lasers’ parameters optimization for each value of the pumping power taking into consideration the cross-relaxation and up-conversion processes as well as heating of the active medium. The optimal values of the active medium length, activator concentration and the output mirror reflectivity are determined both for Tm:YAP- and Tm:YAG-laser. The pulse generation of Tm:YAP- and Tm:YAG-lasers is also considered, the parameters of this regime are determined. The comparison shows the suitability of Tm:YAP laser crystal both for cw and pulse generation. The up-conversion influence on the laser characteristics is also analyzed. PACS 42.60.Gd     

A power-scaling strategy for longitudinally diode-pumped Tm:YLF lasers

We describe a power-scaling strategy for longitudinally diode-pumped Tm:YLF lasers based on optimisation of the thulium doping level and the gain geometry. Carefully designed laser experiments at lower powers are shown to allow a simple means for accurately predicting the thermal loading and hence the power-scaling properties of this system, including the effects of ground-state depletion, cross relaxation and energy-transfer upconversion. An optimised doping level of 2 at. % and a slab geometry are shown experimentally to allow scaling of a single gain unit to output powers of ∼70 W, limited by the available pump power, and a strategy for scaling well beyond 100-W output is discussed. PACS 42.55.-f; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.By     

Broad-band regenerative laser amplification in ytterbium-doped calcium fluoride (Yb:CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>)

An output pulse energy of 17.3 mJ has been achieved with a diode-pumped Yb:CaF₂ regenerative laser amplifier. The bandwidth of the output pulse spectrum was 7.3 nm, being seeded with femtosecond pulses stretched to 2.2 ns. In cw operation a tuning range of 80 nm has been observed. A maximum pulse energy of 44 mJ at a repetition rate of 1 Hz has been obtained in Q-switched mode. The laser damage threshold of a Yb:CaF₂ crystal has been determined at a wavelength of 1064 nm and a pulse duration of 10 ns. PACS 42.55.Ah; 42.55.Xi; 42.70.Hj     

Pulse symmetry and pulse duration compression in a diode-pumped doubly passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 lasers with Cr4+:YAG and GaAs saturable absorbers

We present a simple technique to improve the symmetry of pulse emitted by doubly passively Q-switched lasers. Using both Cr⁴⁺:YAG and GaAs saturable absorbers in the same cavity, a diode-pumped doubly passively Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser is realized for the fist time. This laser can generate more symmetric pulse with shorter pulse width and higher peak power compared with the solely passively Q-switched laser with Cr⁴⁺:YAG saturable absorber or GaAs coupler. The pulse symmetry factor ε of such a doubly passively Q-switched laser is experimentally shown to reach 1.05. Simulations by a rate-equation model for doubly passively Q-switched laser are in close agreement with the experimental results.PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.55.Rz; 42.60.Gd     

Tunable,narrow-band light source in the 1.25 μm region based on broad-area quantum dot lasers with feedback

The coherence of broad-area laser diodes with quantum dot gain medium is improved by frequency-selective feedback. A linewidth of 5–10 GHz at power levels of 10–140 mW is achieved in the wavelength region around 1240 nm, where no other good semiconductor lasers are available. The tuning range is at least 20 nm. PACS 42.55.Px; 42.60.-v; 42.60.Fc; 73.21.La     

Simulation of laser dynamics and active Q-switching in Tm,Ho : YAG and Tm : YAG lasers

 We developed a detailed rate equation model to study laser dynamics and active Q-switching in Tm,Ho: YAG and Tm:YAG lasers. The simulation results agreed well with published experimental data, as well as provided new insights for optimizing pulse generation. Received: 7 March 1996/Accepted: 28 May 1996     

High-energy mode-locked all-fiber laser with ultralong resonator

The first experimental results on an all-fiber mode-locked ytterbium laser whose ultralong cavity has a length of 8 km are presented. An increase in the length of the laser cavity at a constant mean power of radiation makes it possible to increase the pulse energy by more than two orders of magnitude to a level of 4 μJ, which is record-high for the pulses generated by a fiber mode-locked master oscillator in the absence of Q-switching. A pulse repetition rate of 37 kHz is the record-low repetition rate for the mode-locked lasers. The numerical simulation of the lasing in the absence of extension fiber yields a possibility of a wide-range variation in the pulse duration due to the tuning of the intracavity polarization controllers. The simulation results are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.     

掺Er3+氟化物光纤振荡器中红外超短脉冲的产生

基于非线性薛定谔方程建立了氟化物(ZrF₄-BaF₂-LaF₃-AlF₃-NaF, ZBLAN)光纤振荡器中产生中红外超短脉冲的理论模型, 在此基础上研究了中红外超短脉冲在氟化物光纤振荡器中形成的物理机理, 数值模拟了氟化物光纤振荡器中中红外超短脉冲的演化过程. 分析了腔内净色散和小信号增益系数对振荡器中锁模脉冲产生的影响, 并给出了参数设置范围. 研究发现: 当掺Er³⁺氟化物光纤长度, 小信号增益系数, 不饱和损耗为一定值时, 腔内净色散在一定范围内才会出现稳定的锁模脉冲, 且随着腔内净色散增加脉冲宽度变宽, 光谱变窄, 峰值功率降低; 当掺Er³⁺氟化物光纤长度及不饱和损耗一定, 腔内净色散量为合理值, 小信号增益系数在合理的范围时可以得到稳定的锁模脉冲, 且随着小信号增益系数的增加脉冲宽度变宽, 光谱变宽, 峰值功率增加.     

High-power diode-pumped Tm:YLF laser

A high-power, continuous-wave 3.5% Tm³⁺ doped LiYF₄ (Tm:YLF) laser has been developed. Using two Tm:YLF rods in a single cavity, 55 W of laser output at 1910 nm was obtained with a slope efficiency of 49%. The M² factor was found to be <3. With a single Tm:YLF rod, a maximum laser power of 30 W was obtained with a slope efficiency of 50%. The laser was tuned to the peak absorption wavelength of Ho:YAG of 1907.5 nm by an intracavity quartz etalon with an output power loss < 1 W. PACS 42.55.-f; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Pk     

High repetition rate, tunable, Q-switched diode pumped Tm:YLF laser

The aim of work was to characterize a simple oscillator consisted of Tm:YLF crystal end-pumped by a fiber coupled diode laser and active Q-switch with tunability option. About 7 W with near 35% slope efficiency was demonstrated in a free-running mode. The divergence angle was about 4.3 mrad and estimated parameter M² < 1.3. Continuous tuning by means of Lyot’s filter, consisted of 2 quartz plates in the range of 1879.0–1939.4 nm with less than 1-nm linewidth, was achieved. For the best case (10-ms pump pulse duration, 42-A pump current corresponding to 266 mJ of pump energy), the Q-switched energy was 10.5 mJ with pulse duration of 22 ns corresponding to near 0.5 MW peak power. The 2.5 W of average power with 12.6-kW peak power and 2000-Hz repetition rate was demonstrated for cw pumping regime.     

互注入锁定产生双波长可调谐光脉冲的实验研究

报道了两个增益开关调制的法布里-珀罗半导体激光器互注入锁定实验方案,可产生双波长可调谐光脉冲。该装置对两个结构基本相同的法布里珀罗半导体激光器做增益开关调制,产生多模光脉冲输出;然后利用两个光纤光栅作为滤波元件,通过调节可调谐光延迟线(VODL2),可使得双波长光脉冲在两个法布里-珀罗激光器之间相互注入锁定．从而在输出端得到高边模抑制比的双波长光脉冲输出。然后再通过应力作用在两个光纤光栅上以改变它们的反射波长和适当调整另一个可调谐光延迟线(VODLI)长度．可得到不同的双波长的光脉冲输出,而重复频率保持524．6MHz不变。在13．2nm调谐范围内边模抑制比高于25dB．系统稳定且波长调节方便。     

Comparative study of continuous wave Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped silica and fluoride fiber lasers

We compare Tm³⁺-doped silica and fluoride fiber lasers in continuous wave operation using the same experimental setup. For incident pump powers of up to 50 W, the fluoride fiber is shown to have higher output power and efficiency compared to silica and reaches a maximum output power of 20 W at 1.94 μm. A slope efficiency of 49% (41%) and a maximum optical-to-optical efficiency of 45% (35%) at an incident pump power of 25 W (37 W) were determined for the fluoride (silica) fibers, respectively. These optical-to-optical efficiencies are the highest reported for directly diode-pumped Tm³⁺-based fiber lasers. We establish that in free-running mode, fiber lasers using fluoride glass are temporally more stable than fiber lasers using a silica host. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Mi; 42.70.Hj     

Tunable repetition frequency passively Q-switched Tm,Ho:YLF laser with Cr:ZnS as a saturable absorber

We first report a tunable repetition frequency passively Q-switched 2053 nm Tm,Ho:YLF laser by tuning the tilt angle of the Cr:ZnS saturable absorber. When the pump power is 1.4 W, the pulse repetition frequency can be tuned from 1.6 to 19.4 kHz by changing the position of Cr²⁺:ZnS saturable absorber along the cavity axis. When the Cr²⁺:ZnS saturable absorber is near the Tm,Ho:YLF crystal, the repetition frequency can be tuned from 0.8 to 4.0 kHz by changing the tilt angle of the Cr²⁺:ZnS saturable absorber, furthermore, the pulse width and the pulse energy are near constants of 1.7 μs and 3.5 μJ, respectively.     

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.     

Wavelength-tunable and pulse-width variable Fourier domain mode-locking lasers

In this study, wavelength-tunable and pulse-width variable Fourier domain mode-locking lasers were developed with a repetition rate of 60.9 kHz. A spectral laser tuning range of over 100 nm was achieved by tuning the offset voltage to a fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filter (FFP-TF). The pulse width variation was achieved with amplitude modulation of the driving voltage to the FFP-TF. The pulse width ranged from 6.2 μs to 55 ns. The linewidth of the laser changed, from 0.109 to 0.083 nm, according to the pulse width variation.     

锁模脉冲波长连续可调谐光纤激光器

利用在腔内加入可调谐光纤光栅滤波器使“8”字形腔掺Yb3+光纤激光器在锁模状态下实现波长连续可调谐.实验中,在保证锁模状态稳定的情况下,通过调节可调谐光纤光栅滤波器,使激光器输出锁模脉冲的中心波长在1 047 nm～1 055 nm范围内连续调谐,重复频率稳定维持在4.9 MHz.在中心波长1 053 nm处,测得锁模脉冲输出平均功率为8.02 mW,光谱带宽1 nm,脉冲宽度为259.3 ps.这种“8”字形腔被动锁模光纤激光器在锁模状态下对波长连续可调谐,并可长时间稳定工作.