Beyond 3 μm Dy~(3+)/Er~(3+) co-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers pumped by 976 nm laser diode

摘要

Dysprosium-erbium (Dy~(3+)/Er~(3+)) co-doped ZBLAN (ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF) fiber lasers operating at 3.2-3.35 μm were demonstrated by pumping at the 980 nm Er~(3+) absorption band. A maximum output power of 260 mW at 3.27 μm with a slope efficiency of 5.73% was achieved with 3.6 m 0.25 mol. % Dy~(3+)/4mol. % Er~(3+) co-doped ZBLAN fiber. Lasers operating at 3.23μm and 3.35 μm were also demonstrated with 2 m and 9 m gain fibers, respectively, but with lower slope efficiencies. Our experiments confirm the possibility of pumping the Dy~(3+)/Er~(3+)-doped ZBLAN fiber laser with a low-cost high efficiency diode laser at 976 nm.