Open AccessUltra-short wavelength operation of a thulium fibre laser in the 1660–1750 nm wavelength band
Author(s) -
J. M. O. Daniel,
Nikita Simakov,
Masaki Tokurakawa,
M. Ibsen,
W.A. Clarkson
Publication year - 2015
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.23.018269
Subject(s) - materials science , thulium , fiber laser , laser , wavelength , optics , optoelectronics , tunable laser , zero dispersion wavelength , slope efficiency , optical fiber , dispersion shifted fiber , fiber optic sensor , physics , doping
Ultra-short wavelength operation of a thulium fibre laser is investigated. Through use of core pumping and high feedback efficiency wavelength selection, a continuously-tunable fibre laser source operating from 1660 nm to 1720 nm is demonstrated in a silica host. We discuss the range of applications within this important wavelength band such as polymer materials processing and medical applications targeting characteristic C-H bond resonance peaks. As a demonstration of the power scalability of thulium fibre lasers in this band, fixed wavelength operation at 1726 nm with output power up 12.6 W and with slope efficiency > 60% is also shown.