Experimental study of pulse compression in a side-pumped Yb-doped double-clad mode-locked fiber laser

We have developed a side-pumped passively mode-locked Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser emitting sub-picosecond pulses at around 1.05 μm. Mode locking is achieved through a polarization additive-pulse mode-locking technique and compression is obtained with a grating pair inserted in the cavity. We have investigated the compression properties of this laser. High-energy pulses are emitted and different behaviors are observed, such as sideband generation, secant-like or Gaussian-like pulse emission. Received: 7 May 2001 / Revised version: 13 November 2001 / Published online: 17 January 2002     

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.     

2-GHz passive harmonically mode-locked Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

We report passive harmonic mode locking of a high-power Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser. 680-fs, 48-pJ pulses are emitted at the repetition rate of 2.13 GHz, while the free spectral range of the cavity is 23.4 MHz. Results indicate a supermode suppression of more than 25 dB.     

Optimization of linear cavity design of Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

The output characteristics of a linear cavity Yb-doped double-clad fiber (DCF) laser, including the effects of fiber length, fiber loss, and output mirror reflectivity on laser output power and threshold pump power have been studied theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, the linear cavity of double-clad fiber laser (DCFL) was composed of a pair of fiber Bragg gratings, while the facet of fiber was anti-reflection (AR) coated at 1070nm to erase the Fresnel reflection. Analysis showed that the laser output increases as the reflectivity of the fiber Bragg grating used as the output mirror decreases. At last, under the pump power of 14.4 W, single-mode laser output at 1070 nm was up to 10.8 W, with slope efficiency of 75 %.     

The optimum length of linear cavity Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

In order to improve the performance of the double-clad fiber laser, the optimum laser length needs to be estimated prior to the experiment. Previous expressions for the optimum length of fiber laser have been established under some assumptions, such as the output power without laser scattering loss and the pump power without reflection in the output-end. In this work, the issue of optimum laser length has been analyzed theoretically based on the strongly pumped fiber laser model. An extended expression for the optimum length of the linear cavity Yb³⁺-doped double-clad fiber laser is obtained. The respective effects of the laser scattering loss, the pump power, the Yb³⁺ dopant concentration, and the pump reflection on the optimum laser length are identified.     

Binding widely-separated pulses with a passively mode-locked Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

We have investigated the generation of widely-separated bound pulses with a high power passively mode-locked Yb-doped double clad fiber laser. We report on the emission of bound pulses of 5 ps whose separation can exceed 180 ps. Pulses are further compressed extra-cavity to 140 fs, leading to pulse separations that can reach approximately 1300 pulse widths, while pulses remain bound. Scenarios leading to these regimes are detailed. RF analysis shows an important reduction of the amplitude noise of the laser when pulses bind together. Finally, we report on a new regime of multiple pulse emission of this fiber laser: stable co-emission of a single-pulse and a pair of bound pulses in the same cavity round trip. PACS 42.55.Wd; 42.65.Re     

Dual-wavelength high-power Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser based on a few-mode fiber Bragg grating

We report a high-power dual-wavelength Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser based on a few-mode fiber Bragg grating (FMFBG). The FMFBG was fabricated by using a piece of fiber in a length of fiber with a cutoff wavelength of 1225 nm, which supported two modes at 1060 nm. The laser was pumped by a fiber pigtailed laser diode working at 915 nm. Single-wavelength, dual-wavelength and triple-wavelength laser oscillations were observed when the fiber laser operated under different low pump powers. However, stable dual-wavelength operation was achieved at higher pump power of 3.9 W and remained unchanged until the output power reached 5.67 W under the maximum available pump power of 10.7 W. The laser wavelengths were centered at 1059.12 and 1060.80 nm with a full-width at half-maximum of 37 and 43 pm, respectively. The signal-to-noise-ratio was greater than 50 dB and the beam quality factor (M²) was about 1.9.     

掺Yb3+双包层光纤激光器的数值分析

 对掺Yb³⁺双包层光纤激光器不同参数情况下的输出功率和增益分布进行了数值模拟，分析了一端泵浦和双端泵浦方式下输出特性的差异，激光沿光纤长度方向的分布，输出功率与光纤长度、腔镜反射率及泵浦功率的关系。结果显示：两端泵浦较一端泵浦增益更加平坦，输出功率也稍高；当泵浦光波长为975nm时，输出激光功率对光纤长度更为敏感，最佳光纤长度相对于泵浦光波长为915nm时短且转化效率高；在大功率长光纤的情况下，光纤有损耗时输出功率随输出腔镜反射率的增加单调地减小，无损耗时输出功率不随输出腔镜反射率变化。     

High-power superfluorescent source with a side-pumped Yb-doped double-cladding fiber

A compact supe uorescent source based on an Yb-doped double-cladding fiber amplifier is described. The packaged amplifier is pumped at 975 nm by side-coupling emission from a 2.0-W broad-stripe laser diode through an imbedded V groove. The fiber source generates 485 mW of broadband emission centered at 1055 nm with a 41-nm FWHM flat power spectrum.     

掺镱双包层高功率光纤激光器热效应的理论研究

针对高功率掺镱双包层光纤激光器（DCFL）的热效应,由热传导方程并借助速率方程模型导出温度分布的解析解,研究了泵浦方式和泵浦吸收系数对DCFL腔内温度的影响。结果表明：温度沿径向的变化与轴向相比可以忽略;采用传统端面泵浦会导致DCFL局部温度过高,实际中应使用两端对称泵浦方式;而减小泵浦吸收系数虽可改善温度特性但会降低系统的输出功率。进一步分析得出,综合采用分段泵浦方式和不均匀泵浦吸收系数可实现温度分布和输出功率的最佳匹配。     

掺镱双包层高功率光纤激光器热效应的理论研究

 针对高功率掺镱双包层光纤激光器（DCFL）的热效应,由热传导方程并借助速率方程模型导出温度分布的解析解,研究了泵浦方式和泵浦吸收系数对DCFL腔内温度的影响。结果表明：温度沿径向的变化与轴向相比可以忽略;采用传统端面泵浦会导致DCFL局部温度过高,实际中应使用两端对称泵浦方式;而减小泵浦吸收系数虽可改善温度特性但会降低系统的输出功率。进一步分析得出,综合采用分段泵浦方式和不均匀泵浦吸收系数可实现温度分布和输出功率的最佳匹配。     

多点侧面泵浦双包层光纤激光器的对称夹层结构

利用基于亚波长衍射光栅理论的介质-金属-介质的对称夹层结构,对掺杂的双包层光纤进行多点泵浦,根据严格的电磁场衍射理论和光栅方程,分析了多点泵浦时,这种耦合结构的泵浦光泄露的问题,证明了多点泵浦时泵浦光的泄露率仅为15.52%,而对信号光则不存在泄露。这种对称夹层结构可以用于多个大功率激光二极管阵列的多点侧面泵浦双包层掺杂光纤中,以制作各种大功率(数kW级)稀土光纤激光器,其最大耦合效率可以达到80%以上。     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of thermal effects in a high power Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser

In this paper, based on the thermal conduction equations and the steady-state rate equations, a theoretical and numerical analysis of thermal effects is investigated for a single end pumped Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser (YDDC). The distributions of signal power and temperature for different pump powers and fiber parameters are compared. According to the results, the parameters of the optical-cavity have been optimized and an effective method has been adopted to reduce the thermal effects in an experimental investigation. As a result, an output power of 621 W has been obtained with a slope efficiency of 78%.     

多点侧面泵浦双包层光纤激光器的对称夹层结构

 利用基于亚波长衍射光栅理论的介质-金属-介质的对称夹层结构,对掺杂的双包层光纤进行多点泵浦,根据严格的电磁场衍射理论和光栅方程,分析了多点泵浦时,这种耦合结构的泵浦光泄露的问题,证明了多点泵浦时泵浦光的泄露率仅为15.52%,而对信号光则不存在泄露。这种对称夹层结构可以用于多个大功率激光二极管阵列的多点侧面泵浦双包层掺杂光纤中,以制作各种大功率(数kW级)稀土光纤激光器,其最大耦合效率可以达到80%以上。     

Linearly-polarized Tm-doped double-clad fiber laser

We report a linearly polarized Tm doped fiber laser. The fiber laser was set up by using a piece of polarization maintaining Tm doped double clad fiber of 5 m length as gain medium and a polarization beam splitter as a polarization selector. The fiber laser was pumped by a fiber pigtailed laser diode working at 790 nm with a maximum output power of 90 W. The linearly polarized Tm laser operated at wavelength around 2030 nm. A maximum output power up to 21.9 W was achieved when the pump power was 63.27 W with a threshold of 11.92 W, a slope efficiency of about 43.7%, and a polarization extinction ratio of 92.7% (11.37 dB). In addition to the blue fluorescence, we also observed the violet fluorescence under high pump power level. The up-conversion fluorescence was considered to be attributed to the ¹ G ₄ → ³ H ₆, and ¹ D ₂ → ³ F ₄ transitions of Tm ions, respectively.     

50-watt ytterbium-doped double-clad fiber laser

A ytterbium-doped double-clad fiber laser with more than 50-W output, near diffraction-limited is demonstrated in SIOM. The optical-to-optical efficiency is about 44% with respect to incident pump power and the slope efficiency is 69% against launched pump power.     

High-power Yb-doped multicore ribbon fiber laser

A highly elongated double-clad ribbon fiber that comprises a pure-silica inner cladding with transverse dimensions of approximately 1.4 mm by 0.23 mm with a linear array of ten ytterbium-doped cores has been fabricated and operated in a simple laser configuration pumped by two diode stacks. The fiber laser yielded 320 W of output power at a center wavelength of 1045 nm in a combined beam with beam propagation factors of approximately 2 (perpendicular to the array) and approximately 150 (parallel to the array) for 576 W of launched pump power. The slope efficiency with respect to absorbed pump power was 62%. The prospects for further power scaling and improved beam quality and efficiency are discussed.     

国产30/600μm掺镱光纤实现4.1kW激光输出

采用化学气相沉积结合气相/液相复合掺杂方式制备30/600 μm掺镱双包层光纤,石英纤芯中的掺杂组分为Yb₂O₃, Al₂O₃,P₂O₅。基于976 nm发光二极管反向抽运方式,构建全光纤化的主控振荡器功率放大器结构对增益光纤进行测试。实验中,种子源功率为189 W,当泵浦总功率为4747 W时,激光输出功率为4120 W,放大级光光效率为85%,3 dB带宽为1.6 nm。激光器连续工作1 h,激光功率稳定在4100 W,未发生明显的功率衰退现象。     

国产有源光纤成功实现6 kW激光输出

光纤激光是继气体激光、化学激光和固体激光之后的新一代激光技术,是近年来世界各国科学研究的热点领域。制约光纤激光功率提升的主要技术瓶颈是系统集成技术和光纤材料制备技术。目前,我国科研工作者成功掌握了千瓦级光纤激光系统集成技术并实现了产业化,但是所用的光纤激光材料与核心器件还严重依赖进口。相较于比较成熟的系统集成技术,我国光纤激光材料的科学研究和产业化进程相对滞后,尚无法提供成熟稳定的有源光纤产品。 2016年6月,中国工程物理研究院激光聚变研究中心的研究人员经过近三年科研攻关,成功研发了30/900规格（纤芯30 m/包层900 m）镱掺杂铝磷硅（Yb-APS）三元体系激光光纤并实现了6.03 kW最高功率输出,在5 kW功率水平下可长期稳定工作。光纤激光材料综合测试平台采用了传统的1+1型MOPA放大结构（即信号种子源与一级主放）：信号光种子源的功率为40 W,光束质量M2=1.1;第二级MOPA放大级使用的976 nm LD泵浦光总功率9.95 kW,经过CPS功率剥离器激光净化处理后,最终安全地实现了6.03 kW最大功率输出。如图1所示,最高输出功率时斜率效率为61.25%,源于1∶30的芯包比和20 m以上的光纤使用长度;激光输出光谱中心波长1080 nm,3 dB带宽为1.89 nm,受激拉曼抑制比＞15 dB;5 kW稳定工作时,光束质量M2=2.38,未发现光子暗化效应。中物院激光聚变研究中心所研制的镱掺杂铝磷硅三元体系有源光纤(30/900 Yb-APS fiber)成功实现了6.03 kW激光输出,是我国高功率光纤激光材料研究领域的重要进步,为制备低损耗、高掺杂、高吸收、高增益、无光子暗化效应的商业激光光纤产品奠定了坚实的技术基础。     

掺Yb3+双包层光纤激光器实验中的荧光分析

在研究掺Yb3+光纤激光器的实验中,发现伴生有可见区的荧光,用光谱仪测量发现该可见区荧光的波长分别为639.4 nm,520.7 nm,487 nm和474.8 nm,通过对比分析掺Yb3+光纤中杂质的能级结构,发现伴生的红、绿、蓝荧光由Yb3+与Pr3+合作产生,其荧光过程是由于Yb3+离子的能量转移给Pr3+,由Pr3+受激辐射产生的红、绿、蓝荧光.实验结果表明:掺Yb3+双包层光纤吸收泵浦光后产生的荧光是上转换的,这会导致光纤激光器激光能量转换效率的降低.