Glass fiber laser at 136 μm from SiO_2:Nd

Abstract

By adding 14 mol % P₂O₅ to the core of a SiO₂:Nd fiber, laser emission was obtained at 1.36 μm. From the fluorescent spectra and laser thresholds for the ⁴F_3/2 to ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴F_3/2 to ⁴I_13/2 transitions, the net gain at 1.36 μm is 0.024 dB/mW, and the ratio of excited-state absorption (the ⁴F_3/2 to ⁴G_7/2 transition) to stimulated emission is estimated to be 0.78.