Q-switched erbium doped fiber laser using antimony telluride-polyvinyl alcohol (Sb2Te3-PVA) as saturable absorber

Abstract

Q-switched erbium doped fiber laser using antimony telluride-polyvinyl alcohol (Sb2Te3-PVA) as saturable absorberaQ-switched erbium doped fiber laser was demonstrated using antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) as saturable absorber (SA). The SA was fabricated by adding Sb3Te2 powder into PVA suspension and left dry in room temperature for two days. Then, the SA was sandwiched in between two FC/PC fiber ferrules, which can provide easy integration and flexibility into the laser cavity. Stable and self-started Q-switched laser operates at 1531 nm center wavelength. The laser repetition rate increased from 54.5 kHz to 88.4 kHz and pulse duration decreased from 6.84 mu s to 4.58 mu s as the pump power increased. A signal to noise ratio value of 55 dB was achieved at pump power 130 mW. At the maximum pump power, the average output power and pulse energy are 0.26 mW and 2.78 nJ.