Open AccessInfluence of energy-transfer-upconversion on threshold pump power in quasi-three-level solid-state lasers
Author(s) -
J.W. Kim,
Jacob I. Mackenzie,
W.A. Clarkson
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.011935
Subject(s) - lasing threshold , photon upconversion , materials science , laser , laser pumping , optics , erbium , fiber laser , solid state laser , slope efficiency , optoelectronics , optical pumping , laser power scaling , doping , physics
A simple analytical expression for threshold pump power in an end-pumped quasi-three-level solid-state laser, which takes into account the influence of energy-transfer-upconversion (ETU), is derived. This expression indicates that threshold pump power can be increased dramatically by ETU, especially in low gain lasers and lasers with pronounced three-level character due to the need for high excitation densities in the upper manifold to reach threshold. The analysis has been applied to an Er:YAG laser operating at 1645 nm in-band pumped by an Er,Yb fiber laser at 1532 nm. Predicted values for threshold pump power as a function of erbium doping concentration are in very good agreement with measured values. The results indicate that very low erbium doping levels (approximately 0.25 at.% or less) are required to avoid degradation in performance due to ETU even under continuous-wave lasing conditions in Er:YAG.