Laser properties of Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped glass fiber around 1 µm

Abstract

The interest in N d 3 + / Y b 3 + co-doping was initially motivated by the discovery of N d 3 + → Y b 3 + energy transfer in 1964, which profoundly influenced the motivation for subsequent research. Here, however, we propose a new mechanism based on an 808 nm and 975 nm dual-pumping scheme, in which the effect of N d 3 + → Y b 3 + energy transfer process is negligible. Gain spectrum modulation and its application in tunable dual-wavelength lasers around 1 µm were demonstrated in a 30-cm-long N d 3 + / Y b 3 + co-doped silica glass fiber. In addition, interesting laser efficiency improvements, thermal performance improvements, and even photodarkening resistance behavior were observed. This work broadens the knowledge of N d 3 + / Y b 3 + co-doping and may provide useful insights for exploring co-doping with rare-earth ions.