Photosensitive Yb-Doped Germanophosphosilicate Artificial Rayleigh Fibers as a Base of Random Lasers

Abstract

Asingle-mode Yb-doped germanophosphosilicate fiber with ultra-low optical losses (less than 2 dB/km) was fabricated by means of the MCVD method utilizing an all-gas-phase deposition technique developed “in house”. The absorption and luminescent spectral properties of the fiber were thoroughly studied. The photosensitivity of the pristine (non-hydrogenated) fiber to 248 nm-laser radiation was confirmed by means of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscription directly during the drawing process. The random single-frequency lasing at the 1060-nm-wavelength obtained in the 21-m-long fiber with an array of weak FBG was reported. The developed laser slope efficiency in the backward-pumping scheme was measured as high as 32%.