Abstract

The output power of the erbium fiber laser at 2.7 μm (⁴I_11/2 → ⁴I_13/2) is enhanced due to simultaneous laser action at 1.7 μm (⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2) and 1.6 μm (⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I₁₅/₂) an Er³⁺-doped fluorozirconate fiber. The laser cascade overwhelms the saturation effect for the transition at 2,7 μm by suppressing the laser transition at 850 nm (⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2) with lasing at 1.7 μm |1|. The population of the level ⁴S_3/2 occurs for pump wavelengths around 800 nm due to strong pump excited state absorption (ESA).

© 1996 IEEE