Emission beyond 4 μm and mid-infrared lasing in a dysprosium-doped indium fluoride (InF3) fiber.

Abstract

Optical emission from rare-earth-doped fluoride fibers has thus far been limited to less than 4μm. We extend emission beyond this limit by employing an indium fluoride (InF3) glass fiber as the host, which exhibits an increased infrared transparency over commonly used zirconium fluoride (ZBLAN). Near-infrared pumping of a dysprosium-doped InF3 fiber results in broad emission centered around 4.3μm, representing the longest emission yet achieved from a fluoride fiber. The first laser emission in an InF3 fiber is also demonstrated from the 3μm dysprosium transition. Finally, a frequency domain excited state lifetime measurement comparison between fluoride hosts suggests that multiphonon effects are significantly reduced in indium fluoride fiber, paving the way to more efficient, longer wavelength lasers compared to ZBLAN fibers.