Ho:YAG absorption cross sections from 1700 to 2200 nm at 83, 175, and 295 K

• Published in: Applied optics. Optical technology and biomedical optics Vol. 51; no. 34; p. 8147
• Main Authors: Brown, David C, Envid, Victoria, Zembek, Jason
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2012
• ISSN: 2155-3165
• DOI: 10.1364/AO.51.008147

We have obtained absorption spectroscopic cross sections as a function of wavelength for the laser material Ho:YAG at 295, 175, and 83 K, in the spectral range from 1700 to 2200 nm. The absorption range corresponds to (5)I8-(5)I7 transitions from the ground state to the first excited state amenable to direct pumping by laser diodes and Tm fiber lasers. The data allow a direct comparison of the absorption cross-section intensities and linewidths as temperature is lowered from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures. Universal absorption curves and numerical tables are presented for pump sources that are assumed to have a gaussian spectral lineshape, as a function of center wavelength, bandwidth, and optical density (doping density×penetration depth), at 295 and 83 K. Curves and tables are presented for both 295 and 83 K and may be used to optimize the pump absorption and laser efficiency.