Numerical analysis of stimulated Brillouin scattering in high-power double-clad fiber lasers

A theoretical analysis of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in linear cavity Yb³⁺-doped double-clad fiber lasers is presented by solving the steady-state rate equations with the SBS. The effects of cavity length, fiber core diameter, input mirror reflectivity at Stokes wavelength, Yb³⁺ concentration and laser linewidth on the SBS are discussed. Numerical results show that the SBS threshold power can be improved by shortening the cavity length, using large mode area fiber, reducing the input mirror reflectivity at Stokes wavelength, lowering the Yb³⁺ concentration and broadening the laser linewidth, and the influence of the laser linewidth on the SBS threshold power is more noticeable than other system parameters.     

Rate equations studies on coherently combined fiber lasers connected by an optical coupler

Attempt has been made to apply the steady-state rate equations to study two coherently combined Er³⁺-doped fiber lasers joined by an optical fiber coupler. In order to establish the boundary conditions, which are necessary for solving the equations, we have taken into consideration the fact that a constructive interference at the coupler assures that the laser radiations from both constituent lasers are directed to the coupler output port to which a reflection mirror defining both lasers is attached. Consequently, effective reflectivity, provided by the coupler-mirror combination, can be specified in terms of the laser powers of both laser signals, and the rate equations describing the compound system can be solved. Using the derived solutions, quantitative investigations can be made on the influences of different laser parameters. For example, the influence of the length difference between doped fibers, the splitting ratio of the coupler and power difference between the two pump radiations have been given in this report.     

All-fiber ultra-narrow linewidth 50 pm Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped double-clad fiber laser at 1948 nm

A high stability all-fiber LD-clad-pumped Tm³⁺-doped fiber laser was reported. The fiber laser had the ultra-narrow linewidth 50 pm at 1.948 μm with the maximal output power of 12.8 W. The slope efficiency was 28.9%, and threshold was 5.7 W. The double-clad Tm³⁺-doped fiber core was multi-mode, which had a demission of 25/250 μm with the core NA of 0.1 and inner-clad NA of 0.46. The high reflectivity coupler FBG was directly written into the single-mode passive photosensitive optical fiber core, which had a core diameter of 15 μm and NA of 0.1. The cavity was build-up by the high reflectivity FBG and the output fiber end Fresnel reflectivity.     

LD泵浦掺铥(Tm3+)光纤激光器的数值分析

首先从掺铥光纤激光器的速率方程和光传输方程出发,建立数学模型,通过Matlab软件进行数值计算,分析了泵浦光和激光沿光纤的分布以及各能级离子数的变化.在不同掺杂浓度下,研究了小信号增益与入纤泵浦功率的关系以及泵浦光和激光功率与增益介质长度的关系.在不同泵浦功率下,研究了输出功率与输出耦合镜反射率的关系.进一步对不同泵浦吸收系数,研究了斜率效率和泵浦阈值与光纤长度的关系.分析结果表明存在最佳光纤长度和最佳耦合输出透过率,使得激光输出功率达到最佳值.     

Optimization of Yb:YAG/Cr<Superscript>4+</Superscript>:YAG composite ceramics passively Q-switched microchip lasers

The laser characteristics of laser-diode end-pumped Yb:YAG/Cr⁴⁺:YAG composite ceramics microchip passively Q-switched lasers were studied by solving the coupled rate equations numerically taking into account the reabsorption of Yb:YAG ceramics at laser wavelength. Effects of the reflectivity of the output coupler, the concentrations and thickness of the saturable absorbers, and pump beam area on the laser performance were investigated analytically. The simulation results of the Yb:YAG/Cr⁴⁺:YAG composite ceramics passively Q-switched microchip lasers were in good agreement with the experimental data. Better laser performance (high peak power, short pulse width and good optical-to-optical efficiency) of the composite Yb:YAG/Cr⁴⁺:YAG ceramics passively Q-switched laser can be obtained by using a thin Cr⁴⁺:YAG ceramic with high concentration, suitable reflectivity of the output coupler and proper pump beam diameter under high pump power intensity according to our simulations.     

Theoretical study of Pr3+:ZBLAN upconversion ultraviolet fiber laser based on 4f5d state

A theoretical study of the kinetics of two-step-excitation upconversion ultraviolet cw fiber laser based on the 4f5d state in Pr3+:ZBLAN is performed using steady population rate equations and light propagation equations. Under different Pr3+ concentrations, the dependence of the threshold pump powers on the other pump power, the variations of laser output power with reflectivity of output coupler, pump powers and fiber length as well as the dependence of the optimum fiber length on pump powers are investigated.The results predict some optimum laser parameters for maximizing output power.     

Optimization of Yb3+-doped double-clad fiber lasers using a new approximate analytical solution

We investigated the properties of continuous wave (CW) Yb³⁺-doped double-clad fiber lasers (DCFLs) with linear-cavities theoretically and numerically using the rate equations. Under steady-state conditions, a new approximate analytical solution for CW Yb³⁺-doped double-clad fiber lasers (DCFLs) with consideration of the scattering losses were deduced. Good agreement between the proposed solution and the numerical simulation was demonstrated. Compared with the known approximate solutions published in the literature, the proposed solution has a briefer expression, higher accuracy and wider scope of application, which extends the applicable range of the analytical result to low reflective feedback mirror configurations. The solution provides a clear physical understanding of the optimal design of the CW Yb³⁺-doped DCFLs and can be applied to different pump and output configurations. Using the proposed solution, the optimal design of the CW Yb³⁺-doped DCFLs was discussed. If cavity reflectivities are given in advance, the optimal fiber length is found to be independent of the pump power. When the pump power and reflectivity of the feedback end are known in advance, the results show that the optimal fiber length increases and the optimal reflectivity of output mirror decreases with increase in pump power. Furthermore, when the feedback mirror is highly reflective, there exists a certain tolerance of the optimal parameters, in which the conversion efficiency decreases only slightly. But the conversion efficiency is sensitive to reflectivity of output mirror if feedback mirror has low reflectivity.     

Threshold characteristics analysis of one-end-pumped Yb3+-doped gain-guided and index-antiguided fiber laser

An exact analytical expression of the threshold pump power for the one-end-pumped Yb³⁺-doped gain-guided and index-antiguided (GG–IAG) fiber laser has been obtained by solving the improved rate equations (REs) with the additional leakage losses. The effects of Yb³⁺ concentration, fiber length, core radius and mirror reflectivity on the threshold pump power are discussed. After optimizing, the results show that the laser threshold of GG–IAG fiber laser can be greatly reduced while maintaining single mode oscillation. Compared to the numerical methods, the analytical expression has easy calculation and distinct results.     

Output Characteristics of High-Power Continuous Wave Raman Fiber Laser at 1239 nm Using Phosphosilicate Fiber

A high-power singlemode Raman fiber laser (RFL) with maximum output power of 4.11 W and maximum power conversion efficiency of 47.40% at 1239 nm is realized using continuous wave 8.4 W Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser as a pump, 700 m phosphosilicate fiber, and a Raman cavity formed by a pair of fiber Bragg grating mirrors at 1239 nm. The output characteristics of the RFL at 1239 nm for different fiber lengths and output mirror reflectance are reported. Theoretical simulation is done to numerically optimize for fiber length and output coupler reflectivity to obtain maximum first Stokes power.     

Top-hat beam Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped fiber laser using an intracavity abrupt taper

The top-hat beam clad-pumped Tm³⁺-doped fiber laser was realized simply using an intracavity multi-mode abrupt taper. The ratio of the flat-top diameter to the spot diameter reaches 53%, with a small intensity variation less than 6%, and the top-hat beam’s half-divergence angle is only 5.3°. The fiber laser has a maximal output power of 5 W with slope efficiency of 39.7%, pumped by the 792 nm diode laser (LD). The abrupt taper is directly made on the multi-mode double-clad Tm³⁺-doped fiber near the fiber laser output end with the 0.45 ratio of taper waist diameter to fiber clad diameter, and this fiber end 4% Fresnel reflection is used to be the output coupler. The fiber laser’s high reflective coupler is an intracore multi-mode FBG, which is directly written into the multi-mode Tm³⁺-doped fiber core using femtosecond laser and phase mask, at the other fiber end. The abrupt taper has no obviously influence on the fiber laser output power, and the output laser spectrum.     

腔内双棒串接的基模动态稳定腔研究

为了获得大功率高亮度的激光光源,设计并实现了一种使用双棒串接的基模动态稳定谐振腔.通过补偿热致双折射效应以及合理地设计腔内参数,在使用闪光灯抽运的条件下获得了61W的基模连续输出.使用等效热透镜的方法分析了谐振腔参数对激光器性能的影响,解释了输出镜和全反镜的距离对激光器性能所起的不同作用. 关键词： 动态稳定腔 双棒 谐振腔模式     

A guided wave monolithic resonator ruby fiber laser

Single crystal ruby fibers, cooled with liquid nitrogen, have been operated as end pumped lasers. The fiber laser is a guided wave device with a length of 15 mm and a mean diameter of 60 μm. The laser resonator structure is monolithic, consisting of an aluminium mirror coated on one fiber end face and an uncoated opposite end face serving as an output coupler. Using an argon ion laser pump source, cw output powers of several mW were obtained.     

1137 nm长波掺镱光纤激光器的出光实验

分别使用976 nm半导体激光器和1040 nm光纤激光器作为泵浦源,实现了1137 nm长波光纤激光器的出光,输出功率均超过百mW。激光器采用相同的线性腔结构,高反光栅和低反光栅的反射率分别为99.6%和39.7%,增益介质是一段8 m长的掺镱光纤,纤芯直径5 m。当976 nm半导体泵浦功率为912 mW时,1137 nm激光输出功率为182 mW,对应的斜率效率为28.5%;当1040 nm激光功率为1.59 W时,输出的1137 nm激光功率为278 mW,斜率效率约为25%。在此基础上对两种泵浦方式进行了对比分析。     

双包层光纤光栅选频双包层光纤激光器

双包层光纤激光器中多采用法布里珀罗(F-P)线形腔结构,谐振腔为一只二向色镜和光纤端面菲涅耳反射镜(反射率约为4％)构成,这属于一种有缺陷的腔结构,其稳定性不好,产生激光的波长很难得到有效控制,后腔镜不能精确选择激光器的输出波长,激光器的输出谱线较宽。在某些对激光波长有明确要求的应用中,该结构会受到限制。采用布拉格光纤光栅作腔镜,利用其窄带滤波特性,可以得到窄线宽的激光输出,目前报道的作为腔镜的布拉格光纤光栅为在单包层光敏光纤上制作而成,然后分别将不同反射率的光纤光栅与双包层增益光纤熔接,这给腔镜与双包层光纤之间带来很大的耦合损耗,影响了激光器的功率输出。该文报道了用相位掩模法在双包层光纤芯上写入了布拉格光纤光栅,并把此光纤光栅做为后腔镜．对长度为10m、20m的D形掺Yb^3 双包层光纤激光器进行实验研究,在1058nm附近得到稳定的窄线宽激光输出,3dB带宽为0．329nm。激光器最大输出功率为570mW。最后对实验结果进行了理论分析。     

High-power multibeam CO2 laser for industrial applications

Multibeam CO₂ lasers consist of a large number of closely packed parallel glass discharge tubes, all sharing a common plane parallel resonator. This paper describes construction and operation of a CW multibeam CO₂ laser consisting 20 discharge tubes and cooled length of 1500 mm, delivering 1 kW power. A high-frequency pulser is used for producing preionization in all discharge sections for initiating the main DC discharge simultaneously in all discharge tubes. Plane parallel resonator consists of a plane ZnSe mirror of 90 mm diameter having 60% reflectivity and a gold-coated copper mirror of same diameter. This laser operates in waveguide regime and laser power is not critically sensitive to mirror misalignment.     

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。     

A linearly-polarized tunable Yb-doped fiber laser using a polarization dependent fiber loop mirror

A Ytterbium-doped linearly-polarized fiber laser is constructed with a polarization maintaining fiber Sagnac loop mirror. The fiber loop mirror made of polarization maintaining fiber coupler has a polarization dependent reflectivity, which provides the necessary polarization discrimination between the slow and fast axes. With a fiber Bragg grating written in normal polarization maintaining fiber as an output coupler, laser output of up to 5.6 W at 1070 nm is generated with a polarization extinction ratio of > 20 dB and an overall efficiency of 55%. The broadband polarization dependent reflection of the fiber loop mirror offers advantages of easy spectral tuning and simple linearly-polarized laser generation.     

A broadband ytterbium-doped tunable fiber laser for <Superscript>3</Superscript>He optical pumping at 1083 nm

Large amounts of hyperpolarized ³He gas with high nuclear polarization rates are required for use in neutron spin filters or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of human lung. Very high efficiency can be obtained by metastability exchange optical pumping using multimode lasers to excite the ^[ 2 _]3S-^[ 2 _]3P transition at 1083 nm. Broadband ytterbium-doped tunable fiber lasers have been designed for that particular application. Different options for the architecture of the fiber oscillator are presented and compared. Emphasis is given to a linear cavity configuration that includes a high reflectivity fiber mirror and a low reflectivity tunable fiber Bragg grating. Optical measurements are performed to finely characterize the spectral behavior of the lasers. Atomic response is also quantitatively probed to assess the optimal design of the oscillator for optical pumping. Multimode operation matching the 2 GHz Doppler-broadened helium resonance line and tunability over more than 200 GHz are demonstrated. Boosting the output of this fiber laser with a Yb-doped fiber power amplifier, all-fiber devices are built to provide robust, high-power turnkey sources at 1083 nm for improved production of laser polarized ³He. PACS 42.60.-v; 42.55.Wd; 32.80.Bx     

Self-polarized ytterbium-doped fiber laser

We demonstrate a linearly-polarized, ytterbium-doped fiber laser that uses an uncoated, undoped ceramic YAG plate as the output coupler, and the corresponding polarization extinction ratio of laser beam increases with incident pump power and then saturates at larger pump power. For comparison, the output coupler of the fiber laser is replaced by 10% reflectivity plane mirror, while the feature of the polarization of laser output is kept unchanged. The results show that the origin of the pump-dependent and self-started polarization is associated with the intensity-dependent nonlinear birefringence in the gain fiber.     

High-power linearly-polarized tunable Raman fiber laser

In this study, we demonstrate an all-fiber high-power linearly-polarized tunable Raman fiber laser system. An inhouse high-power tunable fiber laser was employed as the pump source. A fiber loop mirror(FLM) serving as a high reflectivity mirror and a flat-cut endface serving as an output coupler were adopted to provide broadband feedback. A piece of 59-m commercial passive fiber was used as the Raman gain medium. The Raman laser had a 27.6 nm tuning range from1112 nm to 1139.6 nm and a maximum output power of 125.3 W, which corresponds to a conversion efficiency of 79.4%.The polarization extinction ratio(PER) at all operational wavelengths was measured to be over 21 d B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a hundred-watt level linearly-polarized tunable Raman fiber laser.