There is currently broad interest in sources of ultrashort pulses at mid-infrared (3-5 micron) and even long-wave infrared wavelengths. Fiber-based sources of ultrashort pulses potentially offer some performance advantages along with major practical advantages, but also face major challenges. The development of optical fibers that transmit in the mid- and long-wave-infrared enables the design of short-pulse sources at these wavelengths. This talk will focus on sources of coherent femtosecond pulses. The first fiber lasers that directly emit ultrashort pulses around 3 micron wavelength will be reviewed, along with an approach to tunable femtosecond pulses in the 3-6 micron region based on Raman frequency shifting. Thoughts on how to extend the performance to higher energies, broader wavelength coverage, and greater integration will be offered.

Date Published: 7 June 2017
PDF: 1 pages
Proc. SPIE 10193, Ultrafast Bandgap Photonics II, 101930T (7 June 2017); doi: 10.1117/12.2261998

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10193:
Ultrafast Bandgap Photonics II
Michael K. Rafailov, Editor(s)