Micro-sphere resonator reflector for fiber laser

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We show that a glass micro-sphere resonator can be used as a wavelength-selective mirror in fiber lasers. Due to their high quality-factor (Q ∼108), microsphere resonators possess a narrow reflection bandwidth. This feature enables construction of single-frequency fiber lasers even when the cavity is long. We also propose and demonstrate an active Q-switched fiber laser using a high-Q micro-sphere resonator as the Q-switching element. The laser cavity consists of an Erdoped fiber as the gain medium, a glass micro-sphere reflector (coupled through a fiber taper) at one end of the cavity, and a fiber Bragg grating reflector at the other end. The reflectivity of the micro-sphere is modulated by changing the gap between the micro-sphere and the fiber taper. Active Q-switching is realized by oscillating the micro-sphere in and out of contact with the taper. Nonlinear effects (such as stimulated Raman lasing) were also observed in our setup at relatively low pump powers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationLaser Resonators and Beam Control IX
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventLaser Resonators and Beam Control IX - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Jan 22 2007Jan 24 2007

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6452
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherLaser Resonators and Beam Control IX
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period1/22/071/24/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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