High-power and highly efficient diode-cladding-pumped holmium-doped fluoride fiber laser operating at $2.94\mu \mathrm{m}$

Abstract

A high-power diode-cladding-pumped ${\mathrm{Ho}}^{3+}$, ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$-doped fluoride glass fiber laser is demonstrated. The laser produced a maximum output power of $2.5\mathrm{W}$ at a slope efficiency of 32% using diode lasers emitting at $1150\mathrm{nm}$. The long-emission wavelength of $2.94\mu \mathrm{m}$ measured at maximum pump power, which is particularly suited to medical applications, indicates that tailoring of the proportion of ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ ions can provide specific emission wavelengths while providing sufficient de-excitation of the lower laser level.

© 2009 Optical Society of America