Amplification and lasing at 1.3 μm in praseodymium-doped fluorozirconate fibres

Abstract

Light emission from the 1G4 → 3H5 transition around 1.3 μm of Pr3+ has been studied in fluoride glass (ZBLAN) fibres. Pumping at 1064 nm yields extracted laser power of a few mW at 1.294 μm. Gain curves centred at 1.295 μm have been obtained, with gross gains of more than 15dB at 1.319 μm. Changes of the output ASE with pumping conditions are explained by excited state absorption or energy transfer from the 1G4 upper level of the transition.