Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE
Analysis of intrinsic optical bistability in Tm: YSGG laser crystal pumped under avalanche excitation at around 1um
WU Li-hua, Yu Chung Huang
Abstract
Intrinsic optical bistability (IOB) in Tm: YSGG (yttrium-scandium-gallium garnet) laser crystal pumped at 1um avalanche wavelength is predicted theoretically and studied numerically. The nonlinear rate equations of Tm: YSGG are given based on the nonlinear energy transfer processes. From the rate equations, the analytical formula of avalanche threshold condition is deduced in the steady-state approximation. Both the intrinsic bistability effect of population concentrations at Tm3+ levels versus pumping power and the influence of system parameters on IOB avalanche threshold are studied numerically. The results show that the avalanche threshold power of IOB can be changed by adjusting experimentally adjustable parameters such as the Tm3+ −dope concentration.