Intrinsic optical bistability in Tm-doped laser crystal pumped at 648nm avalanche wavelength

Li Li; Xinlu Zhang; Lixue Chen

doi:10.1117/12.742447

21 November 2007 Intrinsic optical bistability in Tm-doped laser crystal pumped at 648nm avalanche wavelength

Li Li, Xinlu Zhang, Lixue Chen

Proceedings Volume 6781, Passive Components and Fiber-based Devices IV; 67814Z (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.742447
Event: Asia-Pacific Optical Communications, 2007, Wuhan, China

Abstract

Intrinsic optical bistability and dynamic hysteresis phenomenon, induced by nonlinear excitation and energy level coupling, are predicted theoretically in single Tm-doped laser crystal pumped at 648nm avalanche wavelength. Taking into account the dominant energy transfer processes including excited state absorption, cross relaxation, energy transfer up-conversion and decay of the metastable level Tm³⁺ ³F₄, the analytical formula of avalanche threshold condition are deduced in the steady-state approximation. Based on the theory of microscopic coupled rate equations, intrinsic optical bistability and influence of system parameters on hysteresis loop are studied numerically in detail by using a four-order Runge-Kutta technique. The numerical results predict that intrinsic optical bistability of near 2 micrometer fluorescence emission relevant to Tm ³F₄→³H₆ transition is achievable experimentally in single Tm-doped laser crystal. For realization of low threshold optical bistability and notable bistable hysteresis loop, it is beneficial to properly increase Tm³⁺-doped concentration and suppress energy transfer up-conversion. Furthermore, the interesting results obtained numerically show that laser-induced thermal effect is not the indispensable factor for occurrences of intrinsic optical bistability in rear-earth-doped crystal. Cooperation of nonliear excitation and energy level coupling can essentially lead to intrinsic optical bistability in rear-earth-doped system.

Citation Download Citation

Li Li, Xinlu Zhang, and Lixue Chen "Intrinsic optical bistability in Tm-doped laser crystal pumped at 648nm avalanche wavelength", Proc. SPIE 6781, Passive Components and Fiber-based Devices IV, 67814Z (21 November 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.742447

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available