Title :
Efficiency of erbium 3-μm crystal and fiber lasers
Author :
Pollnau, M. ; Spring, R. ; Ghisler, Ch. ; Wittwer, S. ; Lüthy, W. ; Weber, H.P.
Author_Institution :
Inst. of Appl. Phys., Bern Univ., Switzerland
fDate :
4/1/1996 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The population dynamics of erbium 3-μm crystal and fiber lasers are compared experimentally and theoretically. Laser slope efficiencies of 40% in Er:LiYF4 and 23% in a fluorozirconate fiber are experimentally demonstrated under Ti:sapphire pumping. These are both to our knowledge the highest values reported so far for the different host geometries. On the basis of the excitation and loss mechanisms, the best pump wavelengths are determined to be 970 mm in LiYF4 and 791 nm in a fluorozirconate fiber. The theoretical limit of the slope efficiency with respect to absorbed pump power is redefined as depending on the major population mechanisms of the system. Calculated values are 56% in Er:LiYF4 and 27% in a fluorozirconate fiber
Keywords :
aluminium compounds; barium compounds; erbium; fibre lasers; lanthanum compounds; laser beams; laser transitions; lithium compounds; optical fibre losses; optical losses; optical pumping; sodium compounds; solid lasers; zirconium compounds; 23 percent; 3 mum; 40 percent; 791 nm; 970 nm; Al2O3:Ti; Er:LiYF4; LiYF4:Er; Ti:sapphire pumping; ZBLAN:Er; ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF:Er; absorbed pump power; excitation mechanisms; fluorozirconate fiber; host geometries; laser slope efficiencies; loss mechanisms; population dynamics; population mechanisms; pump wavelengths; slope efficiency; Erbium; Erbium-doped fiber lasers; Geometrical optics; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Laser theory; Laser transitions; Power generation; Power lasers; Pump lasers;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
