Modeling and simulation of a mid-IR 43 µm Raman laser in chalcogenide glass fibers

Abstract

Raman lasers based on mid-infrared (IR) fibers that operate at the 3–5 µm atmospheric transparency windows are attractive sources for many important applications. In this work, a Raman laser operating in the mid-IR range at 4.3 µm based on an As2Se3 fiber pumped by a 3.92 µm fiber laser has been designed and systematically optimized. The influences of pump power, fiber length, and output coupling efficiency on laser performance are investigated. Simulation results show that a fiber length of 0.75–1.3 m and an output coupler reflectivity of 89%–98% could obtain the optimized output power. The maximum output power of 0.269 W was obtained at a pump power of 1.5 W. The simulated result can be used for theoretical guidance and design optimization of practical chalcogenide fiber Raman lasers.