Blue Emitting Fiber Lasers
Abstract
The use of thulium doped fluorozirconate fiber as a blue laser gain material was studied by investigating the optically active transitions, the optimal laser cavity configuration, and the appropriate gain length when excited by 785 and 1047 nm. Laser-induced fluorescence allowed the thulium energy locations to be determined with a least squares fit producing values for the Slater integrals, F2 = 416.52, F4 = 66.5459, and F6 = 5.32902, and the spin-orbit constant, zeta = -1305.51. Wavelength dependent cross sections and the decay times of recorded transitions were also determined. A model was developed to calculate the small signal gain of the fiber and to compare different cavity configurations. A cut back experiment produced an optimal fiber length of 2.4 m which differed from the calculation. Also, the trend in the cut back data does not follow the form predicted by the model. It is believed that spectral competition, which was not included In the model, may explain these deviations. However, the model does show the cavity configuration with both lasers coupled through the back mirror and both mirrors butted to the ends of the fiber as optimal for gain produced and controllability of the blue laser output.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA341571
Entities
People
- Daniel S. Hinkel
- Kevin Whitcomb
- Todd E. Weist
Organizations
- Rome Laboratory