Abstract
We demonstrate strong optical bistability in a 2 μm continuous wave Tm,Ho:YLF laser at 253 K. The laser is end-pumped by a 792 nm fiber coupled laser diode. The width of the bistable region is 1.6 W and the jump power at the turning point is 82.5 mW. The quasi-three-level rate equations of bistable Tm,Ho:YLF laser are given under considering energy transfer upconversion and the nonlinear saturation of the ground state reabsorption effect that varies depending on whether the laser is on or off. The optical bistable performance of the Tm,Ho:YLF laser is numerically investigated by solving the coupled rate equations. The theoretical result provides a good description of the experimental results. The theoretical result shows the mechanism of optical bistability in Tm,Ho:YLF lasers is mainly due to the nonlinear saturation of the ground state reabsorption; furthermore, the energy transfer upconversion and excited state absorption have important influences on the optical bistability.
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