The effects of energy transfer upconversion on the performance of Tm 3+, Ho3+-doped silica fiber lasers

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Abstract

We report the performance characteristics of a diode-pumped Tm 3+, Ho3+-doped silica fiber laser as a function of the dopant concentrations. We show, albeit indirectly, that the rates of energy transfer upconversion (ETU) are significantly increased when the Tm3+ concentration and hence rates of cross relaxation (CR) are increased. The net result of ETU is a reduction in the 3F4 population of Tm3+ and heating of the fiber as a result of the large rates of multiphonon emission from the higher lying energy levels of Ho3+. Fibers with low Tm3+ concentrations display the highest slope efficiencies and lowest thresholds, with 95% of the Stokes efficiency limit being achieved. CR, therefore, cannot be completely harnessed as a mechanism to enhance the rate of upper laser level excitation in Tm3+, Ho 3+-doped silica fiber lasers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1885-1887
Number of pages3
JournalIEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Volume18
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Energy transfer
  • Fiber laser
  • Ho
  • Midinfrared
  • Slope efficiency
  • Tm

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