Sequence lasing in a gain-switched Yb3+,Er(3+)-doped silica double-clad fiber laser

Experimental results relating to the gain-switched operation of a double-clad Yb3+,Er(3+)-doped silica fiber laser that is pulse pumped with the output from a flash-lamp-pumped Ti:sapphire laser are presented. For all the configurations of the fiber laser that we studied, the 2F5/2-->2F7/2 laser transition of the Yb3+ ion lased prior to laser emission from the 4I13/2-->4I15/2 transition of the Er3+ ion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported operation of sequence lasing in the Yb3+,Er(3+)-codoped system. This succession of laser pulses deduced from the measurements of this investigation is a consequence of both the short intense pump pulse and the short 900-nm wavelength of the pump that does not overlap with any important excited-state absorption transitions. We believe that the predominant interionic interaction during the course of the pump pulse is the double-energy transfer to the Er3+ ion acting twice from the 2F5/2 energy level of the Yb3+ donor ion. A maximum total output of 1.65 mJ is obtained (1.38 mJ from the 2F5/2-->2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ and 0.27 mJ from the 4I13/2-->4I15/2 transition of Er3+) from a nonoptimized configuration of the fiber laser. The wavelength of the output from the fiber laser was measured to vary approximately linearly with fiber length from 1040 to 1046 nm for the Yb(3+)-based laser and 1535 to 1541 nm for the Er(3+)-based laser.     

Characterization of a Ho(3+)-doped fluoride fiber laser with a 3.9-mum emission wavelength

The fluoride fiber laser with the longest emission wavelength, the Ho(3+)-transition at 3.9 mum in the attenuation minimum of the 3-5-mum atmospheric window, is characterized. After reviewing the importance of fluoride fibers due to their low phonon energies, we describe room-temperature fluorescence and laser action with liquid-nitrogen cooling. Continuous-wave laser action at 3.9 mum is presented for the 640- and the 890-nm pump ranges. A shift of the emission wavelength is achieved by varying the resonator mirrors. Laser characteristics and temperature dependence are discussed.     

Diode-cladding-pumped Yb3+, Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber laser operating at 2.1-microm

The characteristics of the performance of a diode-cladding-pumped Yb3+, Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber laser are presented. To our knowledge this in the first demonstration of a Yb3+, Ho(3+)-doped fiber laser, and a maximum output power of 0.85 W was achieved for a launched pump power of 10.9 W. For launched pump powers < 7 W, the slope efficiency was approximately 12.5%. Visible fluorescence emission with peaks at approximately 485, approximately 550, and approximately 660 nm measured at the output from the laser suggests that excited-state absorption and energy-transfer upconversion losses may impair the functioning of the laser. Increasing the Yb3+ and Ho3+ concentrations and the Yb3+:Ho3+ concentration ratio may lead to an improvement in the overall efficiency of the device.     

Tunable optical oscillator based on a DFB-MQW laser and a fiber loop reflector

In this paper, we report experimental results on the frequency control of an optical oscillator based on a single-cavity DFB-MQW laser and a fiber loop reflector. Self-pulsation frequency can be controlled by changing the step amplitude of the laser bias current.     

Passively Q-switched Tm(3+)-doped silica fiber lasers

By splicing on a length of Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber onto a diode-pumped double-clad Tm(3+)-doped silica fiber, stable passive Q switching of the Tm(3+)-doped silica fiber laser is demonstrated. The formation of Q-switched pulses was found to depend on both the length and the position of the Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber that was inserted into the fiber laser cavity. For stable Q-switched pulse generation, Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber lengths shorter than twice the absorption depth must be used. For long Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber lengths, randomly generated pulses are observed at operating wavelengths longer than 2090 nm, which are attributed to intracavity pumping of the Ho(3+)-doped silica fiber.     

Frequency-modulation mode-locking performance for four Nd(3+)-doped laser crystals

To determine an optimum host for simultaneous short-pulse-width and large-slope-efficiency generation, the performance of Nd:YAG, Nd:YLF, Nd:YVO(4), and Nd(3+):Sr(5)(VO(4))(3)F [Nd:strontium fluorovanadate (S-VAP)] was characterized under a variety of end-pumped and frequency-modulation mode-locking conditions. The slope efficiency, threshold pump power, and pulse width were recorded for each laser and compared with theory. A figure of merit was defined, yielding Nd:YLF and Nd:YVO(4) as the experimentally determined crystals of choice.     

Nondestructive method for measuring the degree of cluster-induced quenching in er(3+)-doped waveguides and fibers

Ion clustering is one of the major dissipative processes in the operation of Er(3+)-doped planar waveguide amplifiers and heavily doped fiber amplifiers. We propose and demonstrate a nondestructive method for measuring the fraction of erbium ions in doped planar waveguides and fibers that are quenched by ultrafast parasitic energy transfer in ion pairs or clusters. The method is based on unsaturable absorption measurements in the 980-nm absorption band. By combining transmission data at resonance with the corresponding data for radiation outside the absorption band, the influence of background and coupling losses can be eliminated.     

Passive synchronization of fiber laser modes by a microcavity reflector

The dynamics of generation of an erbium-doped fiber laser with an external microcavity reflector has been studied under conditions where the frequency of photoinduced elastic oscillations of the micro-structure is close to the intermode interval of the laser cavity. The possibility of passive synchronization of the laser modes is demonstrated and the dependence of the laser pulse frequency on the system parameters is determined.     

Self-referenced point temperature sensor based on a fluorescence intensity ratio in Yb(3+)-doped silica fiber

An optical fiber temperature sensor, based on the fluorescence intensity ratio from the (2)F (5/2)(a) and (2)F(5/2)(b) Stark sublevels in ytterbium-doped silica fiber, has been investigated. Results of a sensor prototype demonstrate an accuracy near 1 degrees C in a 600 degrees C temperature range. Changes in the fluorescence intensity ratio because of variation in pump power, pump wavelength, and induced fiber bending loss are demonstrated to be small, supporting development of a practical sensor based on the technique described.     

Single-frequency Q-switched erbium-doped fiber ring laser by combination of a distributed Bragg reflector laser and a Mach-Zender interferometer

A single-frequency Q-switched erbium-doped fiber ring laser is implemented for producing a single frequency with 25-Mhz laser linewidth, Q-switched pulses with a high peak power at 1557.5 mm. The single longitudinal mode is selected by a distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser, and a fiberoptic Mach-Zehnder interferometer acts as a Q-switch. The peak power and the average power of the Q-switched pulses vary with the repetition rate.     

钇或钕掺杂TiO_2纳米纤维的制备及光催化性能研究

采用静电纺丝技术,以Ti(SO4)2、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP,Mr=1300000)、稀土氧化物和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)为原料,成功地制备了TiO2、Y/TiO2和Nd/TiO2纳米纤维.用XRD、FESEM、TEM和TG-DTA等分析手段对样品进行了表征.XRD分析结果表明,当焙烧温度为550℃时得到纯锐钛矿相RE/TiO2(RE=Y,Nd)纳米纤维,900℃时得到纯金红石型RE/TiO2(RE=Y,Nd)纳米纤维,稀土离子显著降低了TiO2的晶格参数.FESEM分析结果表明,RE/TiO2(RE=Y,Nd)纳米纤维直径约为50nm、长度300μm.以罗丹明B和苯酚为目标降解物,研究了三种催化剂的光催化性能.其中,1.5mol%Y/TiO2光催化剂对罗丹明B的降解效率较高,而1.0mol%Nd/TiO2对苯酚具有较好的降解活性.因此,掺杂不同稀土离子的TiO2纳米纤维对不同降解物的降解能力不同.     

Thermo-optical parameters and dispersion of pure and Yb(3+)-doped KY(WO4)2 laser crystals

Dispersion of the principal refractive indices of pure and Yb(3+) (20 at.%)-doped KY(WO(4))(2) crystal is obtained in the visible range of the spectrum. A comparatively strong increase of the refractive indices (0.005-0.007) was observed for the doped crystal. Temperature dependence of the principal refractive indices is measured in the temperature region of 290-690 K. Thermo-optical coefficients (TOCs) of the first dn/dt and the second (1/2)(d(2)n/dT(2)) order are determined. It is found that TOCs are negative for n(p) and n(g) and positive for n(m) in both crystals. Doping increases dn(p)/dT almost two times more in comparison to that of the pure crystal, while for the other two indices TOC changes are insignificant.     

硼酸使掺铁铝酸锂发光增强的现象

在硼酸存在下合成了掺铁铝酸锂荧光体,研究了在不同温度下硼酸加入量对荧光体发光强度的影响,并通过X射线粉末衍射和粒度分析,初步探讨了发光增加的原因。     

Ho~(3+)掺杂Ge-Ga-S-CsI玻璃中红外发光性能研究

采用熔融冷却法制备了系列不同Ho3+离子掺杂浓度的Ge-Ga-S-CsI玻璃样品,测试了样品的折射率、吸收光谱以及中红外荧光光谱和Ho3+离子5I6能级荧光寿命.应用Judd-Ofelt理论计算了Ho3+离子在该基质玻璃中强度参数Ωi(i=2,4,6)、能级跃迁振子强度fcal、自发跃迁几率Arad等光谱参数.计算了Ho3+:5I5→5I6(3.86μm)和5I6→5I7(2.81μm)跃迁的多声子驰豫速率.讨论了中红外荧光特性与Ho3+离子掺杂浓度之间的关系.结果表明,在900nm激光泵浦下观察到了2.81和3.86μm两处中红外荧光,分别对应于Ho3+:5I6→5I7和5I5→5I6跃迁,当Ho3+离子掺杂浓度从0.5wt%增加到1.0wt%时,两处中红外荧光强度都随相应增加,计算的Ho3+:5I5→5I6和5I6→5I7跃迁多声子驰豫速率分别为29s-1和34s-1.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and optical properties of Eu(3+)-doped CaSnO3 nanocrystals

In this paper, CaSnO3:Eu3+ nanocrystals were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis method. The influence of different molar ratio of Ca:Sn on structure of CaSnO3:Eu3+ was investigated by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Well-crystallized and phase-pure CaSnO3:Eu3+ particles of approximately 90 nm in size can be readily obtained at 900 degrees C. Furthermore, photoluminescence characterization of the Eu(3+)-doped CaSnO3 nanocrystals was performed and discussed. The emission peak situated at 618 nm showing prominent and bright red light is due to the 5D0-7F2 electric dipole transition. The excellent luminescence properties make it possible as a good candidate for PDP application.     

Generation of inhomogeneously polarized laser beams by use of a Sagnac interferometer

A principal scheme for an external cavity technique for changing the polarization of a laser beam based on a modified Sagnac interferometer is proposed. The modified Sagnac interferometer includes standard optical components: a displacement polarizing beam splitter, an angle reflector, and a Dove prism. The radially polarized beams, obtained with the help of the developed scheme, allow the generation of a longitudinally polarized electric field by sharp focusing. The phase correction of radially polarized modes of higher orders leads to increasing the longitudinal field in the focus of the beam.     

Demonstration of a rapidly strain tuned Er3+-doped fiber laser for sensitive gas detection

We describe a novel combination of a diode-pumped, wavelength-modulated Er(3+)-doped fiber laser light source with a sensitive noise cancellation circuit for detection of acetylene and ammonia. The laser tuning element, a fiber Bragg grating, was mounted in such a way that it could be strained controllably and rapidly, allowing noise cancellation techniques to be applied to the wavelength-modulated output of the fiber laser. The experimental setup is relatively simple and can be extended to other fiber laser wavelengths for which semiconductor lasers are not readily available by selection of a different fiber Bragg grating and gain medium.     

Li~+共掺杂对掺Er~(3+):TiO_2上转换发光的增强作用·

采用非水性溶胶-凝胶法制备了0.1%Er~(3+)(摩尔分数,下同)、0%～2%Li~+共掺杂TiO_2粉末,在980nm半导体激光器(LD)激发下获得了中心波长526nm、550nm的绿色和663nm的红色上转换发光.Li~+共掺杂对掺Er~(3+):TiO_2的相结构未产生影响,但极大增强了上转换发光强度.随Li~+共掺杂摩尔分数的逐渐增大,绿色和红色上转换发光强度先增大后减小,当Li~+摩尔分数为1%时,上转换发光强度达到最大,绿色和红色上转换发光强度分别比掺Er~(3+):TiO_2提高了约330倍、30倍和60倍.Er~(3+)Li~+共掺杂TiO_2粉末的绿色和红色上转换发光均为双光子吸收过程.Li~+共掺杂不改变Er~(3+)的上转换发光机制,但破坏了Er~(3+)的局部晶体场对称性,影响了Er~(3+)内部4f能级的跃迁几率,导致上转换发光强度增强.     

Ce~(3+)掺杂YAG透明陶瓷的制备与光性能研究

采用高纯微米级商业原料(≥99.99%)α-Al2O3、Y2O3和CeO2,用固相反应法制备了0.3at%Ce3+∶YAG透明陶瓷.粉体经行星式球磨,陶瓷素坯在1750℃真空烧结10h,真空度10-3Pa,双面抛光后,厚度为1.2mm的透明陶瓷试样在可见光区500~900nm的直线透过率可达80%左右,光学均匀性良好.荧光光谱分析表明,发射峰位于500~700nm之间,这是Ce3+的特征发射.结果表明,Ce∶YAG透明陶瓷的发光性能与相应的单晶相当,有望作为闪烁材料应用于中低能量射线(α、β粒子等)的探测.