Continuous-wave Laser on Er,Yb-Codoped Pentaborate Crystal

Abstract

We report, for the first time to our knowledge, a diode-pumped continuous-wave microchip Er,Yb:YMgB5O10 laser. The purpose of this work was to study the growth technique, spectroscopic properties and continuous-wave laser performance of Er3+,Yb3+:YMgB5O10 novel crystal. Absorption and luminescence spectra as well as kinetics of luminescence decay were studied. Ytterbium-erbium energy transfer efficiency was determined. The output characteristics (output power, slope efficiency, laser wavelength) of Er3+,Yb3+:YMgB5O10 laser were determined.Two intensive absorption bands with peaks centered at 937 nm and 976 nm were observed in the absorption spectra at the wavelength near 1 μm. The maximum value of absorption cross-section was determined to be 1.5·10–20 cm2 at 976 nm for polarization E//Ng . A number of narrow lines were observed in the absorption spectra in the 1425–1575 nm spectral range (transition 4I15/2 → 4I13/2 of erbium ions). The lifetime of the upper laser level 4I13/2 of Er3+ ions was determined to be 390 ± 20 μs. The ytterbium-erbium energy transfer efficiency for YMgB5O10 crystal with 2 at.% of Er3+ and 11 at.% for Yb3+ was close to 84 %. The maximal continuous-wave output power of 0.2 W with slope efficiency of 8 % regarding to absorbed pump power was realized at the wavelength of 1570 nm. With the improvement of cavity parameters the output laser performance of the Er,Yb:YMgB5O10 crystal can be further enhanced.Taking into account high thermal conductivity of ≈ 6.2 W·m–1·K–1, the Er,Yb:YMgB5O10 crystal can be considered as a good gain medium for 1.5 μm lasers for applications in laser rangefinder and LIDAR systems.

Keywords

• erbium
• ytterbium
• borate crystals
• spectroscopy
• diode-pumped
• continuous-wave laser operation