Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate a passively Q-switched linear-cavity erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) based on few-layer TI: Bi₂Se₃ saturable absorber (SA). The few-layer TI: Bi₂Se₃ fabricated by the liquid-phase exfoliation technique can be well deposited onto the fiber end-facet through an optically driven deposition approach. Two fiber loop mirrors (FLMs) are used to form the linear resonant cavity. Passive Q-switching operation at 1530 nm wavelength is achieved successfully. As increasing the pump power, the Q-switched repetition rate is tunable in the range of 27.9~67.7 kHz, and the pulse duration is as narrow as 2.64μs. The pulse energy and peak power are also characterized. The experimental results indicate that few-layer TI, like graphene, can be a low-cost and high-performance SA for pulsed lasers.

© 2014 Optical Society of America