Mid-Infrared Fiber Laser Based on Super-Continuum
Abstract
The overall goal of the Phase I Supplement was to improve the performance of the bench-top, mid-infrared fiber laser system that had been developed under the Phase I program. The program succeeded in demonstrating an all-fiber integrated Mid-InfraRed Fiber Laser (MIRFIL), see Figure 1, with no optical bench, such that bulk optics are no longer required. More specifically, the all-fiber integrated MIRFIL breadboard generates super-continuum (SC) with 1.2W time-averaged power extending to -3.4 microns in 60m of ZBLAN fiber. The long wavelength edge of the SC is limited by the bend-induced loss of the particular ZBLAN fiber used in the experiments. The power levels and repetition have been optimized to generate high time-averaged power along with the broadest spectrum supported by the fiber. In addition, the results from the all-fiber integrated MIRFIL are compared with results obtained using the same ZBLAN fiber in a bulk-optical, tabletop, set-up in Prof. Almantas Galvaunaskas's lab, and the results lay almost directly on top of each other. In order to broaden the spectrum out to -4.6 microns, new ZBLAN fibers with less bend-induced loss will be required, and we are working with fiber makers to fabricate this fiber while maintaining a high damage threshold. One of the first tasks was to implement and characterize the first stage pre-amplifier. The pulse repetition rate in the pre-amplifier can be varied from 20kHz to 500kHz, and the power is scaled up by increasing the repetition rate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469712
Entities
People
- Michael J. Freeman