Characteristics of a CW ∼5 μm Ce³⁺-doped chalcogenide glass fiber laser

Abstract

Energy, spectral and temporal characteristics of a Ce3+-doped chalcogenide glass fiber laser continuously pumped by a 4.16 μm Fe2+:ZnSe laser were investigated. Milliwatt level output power was obtained. In case of low Q-factor of the resonator the laser operated at λ = 4.62 μm corresponding to the narrow peak in Ce3+ emission spectrum. At higher Q-factor, the lasing wavelength changed to 5.0–5.1 μm corresponding to the plateau in the gain spectrum. In contrast to Tb3+-doped mid-infrared fiber lasers, Ce3+-doped fiber laser had no tendency to non-relaxing spike operation.

Rare-Earth-Doped Selenide Glasses as Laser Materials for the 5–6 μm Spectral Range

“…The pumping processes of these ions do not include nonradiative ion-ion interactions and, thus, there are no restrictions to the minimal active ion concentration. The number of original papers describing chalcogenide glass fiber lasers is still rather limited so far: [43] is devoted to Tb 3+ ions and [29,44] to Ce 3+ ions. Due to the absence of Bragg gratings in doped chalcogenide fibers developed to date in all these laser experiments, the resonators were formed by external mirrors immediately adjacent to the fiber ends or simply by the bare fiber ends, providing a ~20% Fresnel reflection.…”

“…The emission spectrum showed deformation with a pump-power increase, and the threshold character of this deformation was interpreted as the startup of laser action. Spectral and temporal characteristics of a Ce 3+doped chalcogenide glass fiber laser pumped by a CW Fe 2+ :ZnSe laser were investigated for the first time in [44]. The fiber was pumped into its core by a CW 4.16 µm Fe 2+ :ZnSe laser having an output power of up to 70 mW.…”

Numerical Modeling of Mid-IR Lasers Based on Tb-Doped Chalcogenide Multicore Fibers

“…The laser generation with a spike structure at 5.38 µm was achieved in a Tb 3+ -doped selenide fiber pumped at 1.98 µm [25]. Since then, other chalcogenide fiber lasers have been demonstrated in this spectral range using various rare-earth ions [26,27]. Ce 3+ -doped laser with mW power, operating near 4.6 µm or near 5 µm (depending on resonator Q-factor), with in-band pump at 4.16 µm was reported in [27].…”

“…Since then, other chalcogenide fiber lasers have been demonstrated in this spectral range using various rare-earth ions [26,27]. Ce 3+ -doped laser with mW power, operating near 4.6 µm or near 5 µm (depending on resonator Q-factor), with in-band pump at 4.16 µm was reported in [27]. Currently, to the best of our knowledge, the highest reported power in chalcogenide fiber lasers at wavelengths around 5 µm is 150 mW [26,28].…”