High-Efficiency Operation of a Tm³⁺, Ho³⁺ Co-Doped Alumino-Zirco-Fluoride Glass Fiber Laser Near Room Temperature

Abstract

High-efficiency operation at two micrometers for a very short (less than 30 mm long) Tm3+, Ho3+ co-doped AZF glass fiber laser pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser has been demonstrated near room temperature. A cw output power of up to 150 mW with a slope efficiency of 37% was achieved using a 24.5-mm-long, Tm3+, Ho3+ co-doped AZF glass fiber at 15° C.

Optical spectroscopy of heavily Ho3+-doped BaY2F8 crystals

“…Therefore, Ho-laser is used as eye-safe laser in medical treatment for patients with superficial bladder carcinoma [2] and for eye posterior segment surgery [7]. The Ho-laser is also useful for laser radar imaging because the light around 2 mm shows high atmospheric transmittance and low background noise [8].…”