Dye-doped polymer optical-fiber laser reaches high efficiency

Aug. 14, 2000
Solid-state dye lasers are far simpler than their liquid counterparts and often expose the researcher to less toxicity. Optical-fiber lasers also offer simplicity as a result of their waveguide makeup.

Solid-state dye lasers are far simpler than their liquid counterparts and often expose the researcher to less toxicity. Optical-fiber lasers also offer simplicity as a result of their waveguide makeup. Scientists at Keio University (Yokohama, Japan), Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology (Kawasaki, Japan), and Polytechnic University (Brooklyn, NY) have combined both in a dye-doped polymer fiber laser. Although solid-state dye-doped fiber lasers have been made before, this version is the first to achieve high efficiency.

A graded-index optical-fiber preform made of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and containing 0.1% rhodamine 6G dye by weight was drawn into a fiber with a 0.6-mm core diameter. When transversely pumped with 532-nm light in 1.5-mJ pulses from a frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, the fiber emitted yellow light in 0.64 mJ pulses, for a slope efficiency of 43% (a comparable bulk solid-state dye laser reached only 7.7% slope efficiency). The experiments were performed at room temperature without external cooling. The output energy of the fiber laser dropped to half its original value after 110,000 pump-laser shots; the researchers ascribe such long life to the protection from oxygen provided by the fiber cladding. The group is investigating other laser-host media and pump-cavity configurations. Contact Yasuhiro Koike at [email protected].

Sponsored Recommendations

Demonstrating Flexible, Powerful 5-axis Laser Micromachining

Sept. 18, 2024
Five-axis scan heads offer fast and flexible solutions for generating precise holes, contoured slots and other geometries with fully defined cross sections. With a suitable system...

Enhance Your Experiments with Chroma's Spectra Viewer

Sept. 5, 2024
Visualize and compare fluorescence spectra with our interactive Spectra Viewer tool. Easily compare and optimize filters and fluorochromes for your experiments with this intuitive...

Optical Filter Orientation Guide

Sept. 5, 2024
Ensure optimal performance of your optical filters with our Orientation Guide. Learn the correct placement and handling techniques to maximize light transmission and filter efficiency...

Ensure Optimal Performance with Shortpass Filters

Sept. 5, 2024
Achieve precise wavelength blocking with our Shortpass Filters. Ideal for applications requiring effective light transmission and cutoff, these filters ensure optimal performance...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!