Open AccessTheoretical and experimental investigation of optical bistability in end-pumped Tm，Ho：YLF lasers
Author(s) -
Xinlu Zhang,
Yuezhu Wang,
Li Li,
Ju You-Lun,
Jiang Bo
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
wuli xuebao
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 47
ISSN - 1000-3290
DOI - 10.7498/aps.58.964
Subject(s) - bistability , photon upconversion , laser , optical bistability , materials science , rate equation , optics , diode , laser diode , physics , optoelectronics , nonlinear optics , quantum mechanics , kinetics
We demonstrate the strong optical bistability of a 2μm continuous wave TmHoYLF laser end pumped by a 792nm fiber-coupled laser diode. The quasi-three-level rate equation theoretical model is given under consideration of the energy transfer upconversion and ground state reabsorption effects. The bistable output of TmHoYLF laser is predicted theoretically by solving the coupled rate equations and the mechanism of the bistability output is analyzed. The bistable output is also studied experimentally. When the laser crystal is at 253Kthe width of the bistable region is 1.6W and the jump power at the tujump point is 82.5mW. The theoretical results are in agreement with the experimental resultsshowing that the theoretical model is reasonable.