Affiliation:
1. NKT Photonics A/S
2. Technical University of Denmark
3. NORBLIS ApS
Abstract
Mid-infrared supercontinuum (SC) sources can benefit from low-cost pumps with center wavelength longer than the zero-dispersion wavelength of fluoride fibers (∼1600nm). This makes thulium-doped lasers an attractive technology, but their relative intensity noise (RIN) is typically not characterized. Furthermore, is low pump noise even a requirement for SC applications? With focus on low cost, we have developed a three-stage amplified 1946 nm gain-switched diode (GSD) demonstrating 12% RIN and flexible repetition rate control, which crucially allows the user to optimize SC performance specific to the application. We demonstrate a maximum −10dB bandwidth of 1873–3986 nm at 2 MHz and a minimum RIN of 6.1% at 1900 nm, 10.4% at 2300 nm, and 16.6% at 3250 nm at 1 MHz. We define a figure of merit for operation between the 3000 and 3500 nm region and demonstrate that it is maximized at 3 MHz, showcasing the power of this control in optimizing specific performance metrics. This performance is compared with a SC spanning 1900–3796 nm, pumped by an amplified thulium-doped mode-locked fiber laser operating at 5.8 MHz with <0.11% RIN. Despite the vastly superior pump noise, comparative SC RIN values of 2.0% at 1900 nm, 9.5% at 2300 nm, and 8.5% at 3250 nm were obtained, indicating that the modulational instability driven SC generation process dominates noise performance, thereby reducing the need for low pump noise.
Funder
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Villum Fonden