Core-clad Pr(3+)-doped Ga(In)-Ge-As-Se-(I) glass fibers: preparation, investigation, simulation of laser characteristics

TL;DR

This paper reports the development of high-purity Pr(3+)-doped Ga-Ge-As-Se and In-Ge-As-Se-I glass fibers with low optical losses and broadband mid-infrared luminescence, along with laser simulation results demonstrating their potential for mid-IR fiber systems.

Contribution

It presents the preparation, characterization, and laser simulation of the highest dopant concentration rare-earth-doped chalcogenide fibers with minimal optical losses.

Findings

Optical losses as low as 1 dB/m achieved

Broadband luminescence in 3.5-5.5 micron range observed

Laser simulation indicates potential for mid-IR fiber lasers

Abstract

Core-clad fibers on the basis of high-purity 1300 ppmw Pr(3+)-doped Ga-Ge-As-Se and 2000 ppmw Pr(3+) -doped In-Ge-As-Se-I glasses have been prepared. The minimum optical losses of the fibers are at the level of 1 dB/m in the wavelength range, where there is no influence of the praseodymium absorption. At present, it is the best result obtained for core-clad rare- earth-doped chalcogenide fibers with high dopant concentration. The fibers exhibit the broadband luminescence in the spectral range of 3.5-5.5 micron. The values of luminescence lifetime at the wavelength of 4.7 micron are within 6.5-8.2 ms closed to those for the bulk glasses obtained previously. Simulation of laser properties for these core-clad fibers in the three-level cascade scheme was carried out. The low level of optical losses experimentally achieved in these fibers is one of main criteria for development of mid-IR fiber systems.