Abstract
In this report we show using numerical simulations that, with judicious choice of pump and fiber parameters, that it is possible to achieve lasing at wavelengths longer than
${4}\,{\mu {\rm m}}$
from the
$^6H_{11/2}\rightarrow ^6H_{13/2}$
laser transition of Dy
${^{3+}}$
using an indium fluoride (InF
$_3$
) glass host. The key issue for this transition is the short lifetime of the upper laser level of
${1.25}\,{\mu {\rm s}}$
relative to the long lifetime of the lower laser level which is
${640}\,{\mu {\rm s}}$
. Whilst continuous wave (CW) cascade lasing at
${4.4}\,{\mu {\rm m}}$
and
${3.3}\,{\mu {\rm m}}$
could be achieved, the large pump power requirement at threshold of
$>$
30 W is impractical. Pulsed pumping combined with gain switching, however, offers a viable alternative. We calculate that 200 ns,
${160}\,{\mu {\rm J}}$
pump pulses launched into InF
$_3$
fiber could deliver
${15}\,{\mu {\rm J}}$
output at
${4.4}\,{\mu {\rm m}}$
. Scaling of average output power is constrained by population buildup in the lower laser level. Boosting the output power by quenching this lower level lifetime using OH
$^{-1}$
or Tb
${^{3+}}$
co-dopants are explored as ways to overcome this limitation.
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