Theoretical characterization of Raman oscillation with intracavity pumping of fiber lasers

Theoretical results relating to the generation of continuous-wave (CW) output from fiber lasers that are internally pumped with light generated from the stimulated Raman effect are presented. This investigation establishes the important fiber and resonator parameters, such as the fiber length and glass composition, dopant concentration, and pump power required to realize this new form of fiber laser arrangement. Three examples are studied: the Ho³⁺-doped silica fiber laser that is pumped at a wavelength of 1.15 μm, the Er ³⁺-doped silica fiber laser which is pumped at 1.48 μm and, the Tm³⁺-doped silica fiber laser which Is pumped at 1.625 μm. These three examples cover first Stokes pumping, second Stokes pumping, and first Stokes pumping with direct dopant absorption of the pump light, respectively. The simulations involve the use of simple numerical models comprising the spatially dependent field propagation equations (under the slowly varying field approximation) and the rate equations for the population densities. It is established that intracavity Raman pumping of fiber lasers with first Stokes radiation is efficient when the losses at the pump, Stokes and laser wavelengths are kept low (<10 dB/km). It is also established that second Stokes pumping is, even with direct absorption of the pump light, theoretically quite efficient and, as a result, the Er³⁺-doped silica fiber laser which is pumped with second Stokes radiation at 1.48 μm may provide the best demonstration of intracavity Raman pumping