Abstract
A set of models have been developed and experimentally corroborated to predict the amplifier performance of Ho:Tm lasers. This model was developed as a tool to facilitateimization of Ho:Tm laser amplifiers. Nonradiative decay rates are an essential part of the model, affecting performance of Ho:Tm lasers beneficially through the increase of the quantum efficiency or deleteriously through the upconversion process. Although upconversion has been suggested as the cause of the decrease in the apparent lifetime of the upper laser level, the effects on nonradiative decay on this process have not been fully explored. One possible explanation for this is the accuracy with which the nonradiative decay rates are known. Here a set of models are used to predict the gain of an amplifier as a function of both pump energy and time. By comparing the observed lifetime of the upper laser level with the model, the nonradiative decay rates can be determined. After the nonradiative decay rates have been fixed, the amplifier gain can be compared with experimental curves of gain versus pump energy for several different combinations of Ho and Tm concentrations.
© 1995 Optical Society of America
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