<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{Er}^{3+}$</tex-math></inline-formula>- Doped Nanoengineered Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Alumino-Silicate Fiber for Efficient CW and Mode-Locked Laser Operation

Abstract

We report on the development of efficient continuous wave (CW) and mode-locked ring fiber lasers utilizing an Er3+-doped nanoengineered yttria-stabilized zirconia alumino (YSZA)-silicate fiber as the gain element. With the proper design of the material composition, the YSZA fiber host presents superior features to eliminate the Er3+ cluster effects and enhance the radiative emission over commercial silica fibers, thus significantly increasing the fiber laser efficiencies. Through cavity analysis and optimization, we successfully demonstrate a 975-nm pumped single-mode Er3+-doped CW YSZAsilicate fiber laser with a slope efficiency of 43%, which is corresponding to the quantum efficiency of 69%. Because of the special dispersion property of the Er3+-doped YSZA-silicate fiber, we are able to build a stable soliton mode-locked 1565-nm fiber laser with 3.2-nJ pulse energy, 644-fs pulsewidth, and 4.96-kW peak power.

Keywords

• Fiber materials
• nanoengineered fiber
• zirconia alumino (YSZA)-silicate fiber
• $\text{Er}^{3+}$-doped fiber