Er3+-Co-Doped ZBLAN Fibers for Mid-IR Ho3+/Dy3+ Pumping

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Solution Overview

Problem

High power diode lasers at the near-infrared absorption peaks of Ho3+ and Dy3+ are not available, limiting the development of compact and efficient Dy3+-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers operating beyond 3 μm.

Innovation Solution

Implementing Er3+/Ho3+ and Er3+/Dy3+ co-doped ZBLAN fibers that enable energy transfer from Er3+ to Ho3+ and Dy3+, utilizing readily available high power diode lasers near 980 nm for pumping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If high power diode lasers at the near-infrared absorption peaks of Ho3+ and Dy3+ are used for pumping, then compact and efficient Dy3+-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers operating beyond 3 μm can be developed, but high power diode lasers in these wavelength ranges are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of pump sourceVSAvoidoutput power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces Er3+ as an intermediary pump medium that absorbs readily available 980 nm diode laser light and transfers energy to Dy3+ ions. This mediator approach solves the contradiction by using available pump sources (980 nm diodes) while achieving the desired effect (Dy3+ lasing beyond 3 μm) through the energy transfer mechanism from Er3+ to Dy3+.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If Er3+/Dy3+ co-doped ZBLAN fibers are used to enable energy transfer, then efficient energy transfer is achieved, but the complexity of the doping process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddoping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines Er3+ and Dy3+ dopants within the same ZBLAN fiber matrix, creating a co-doped system where both ions coexist and interact. This merging approach enables efficient energy transfer from Er3+ to Dy3+ while maintaining a relatively simple fiber structure, resolving the contradiction between energy transfer efficiency and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves efficient energy transfer, enabling the development of compact all-fiber lasers above 3 μm with improved output power and efficiency, overcoming the limitations of existing Dy3+-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers.

Implementation Method 1

efficient energy transfer from Er3+ to Ho3+ and Dy3+ in mid-infrared materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy transfer:

Data Source

PatentUS12362529B2Efficient energy transfer from ER3+ to HO3+ and DY3+ in mid-infrared materials

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIV OF ARIZONA

AI summary

A solid-state laser system includes a gain medium having an optical resonator defined therein. The gain medium is co-doped with first and second active elements. The first active element is Er3+ and the second active element is Ho3+ or Dy3+. The solid-state laser system also includes a pump source coupled to the gain medium for pumping the gain medium with pump light.