| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1495114 | Optical Materials | 2013 | 6 Pages |
In this work, we propose and demonstrate a compact, Zirconia–Erbium Doped Fiber (Zr-EDF), a new type of fiber with zirconia dopants added to the silica glass host to significantly increase erbium ion concentrations in the glass matrix. Q-switched behavior is obtained by using a Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Polyethylene Oxide composite sandwiched between two fiber ferrules as a saturable absorber. The Zr-EDF fiber laser has a nearly flat amplified spontaneous emission spectrum from 1545 to 1565 nm, unlike conventional erbium doped fibers. The pulse train generated has a maximum repetition rate and pulse width of 14.20 kHz and 8.6 μs respectively. The highest average output power of the system is 270.0 μW, with a corresponding pulse energy of 19.02 nJ. The proposed system is compact, cost-effective and rugged and has applications in range-finding, medicine and in industry.
► A new fiber with Zr dopants for very high Er ion concentrations in short fibers. ► Zr-EDF has a nearly flat ASE spectrum from 1545 to 1565 nm. ► Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Polyethylene Oxide composite as a saturable absorber. ► Generation of Q-switched pulses in Zr-EDF laser using SWCNT/PEO SA. ► Generated pulse train with repetition rate of 14.20 kHz and pulse width of 8.6 μs.
