Dysprosium Mid‐Infrared Lasers: Current Status and Future Prospects

With growing interest in the mid‐infrared spectral region, dysprosium has recently been revisited for efficient high‐performance infrared source development. Despite historically receiving less attention than other rare earth ions, in recent years lasers utilizing the dysprosium ion as the laser mat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Laser & photonics reviews 2020-03, Vol.14 (3), p.n/a
Main Authors: Majewski, Matthew R., Woodward, Robert I., Jackson, Stuart D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Continuous radiation
Dysprosium
Energy levels
fiber laser
Infrared lasers
Lasers
Metal ions
mid‐infrared
Rare earth elements
Surveying
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:With growing interest in the mid‐infrared spectral region, dysprosium has recently been revisited for efficient high‐performance infrared source development. Despite historically receiving less attention than other rare earth ions, in recent years lasers utilizing the dysprosium ion as the laser material have set record mid‐infrared performance, including tunability from 2.8 to 3:4 µm (in addition to 4:3 µm lasing), continuous wave powers exceeding 10 W, greater than 73% slope efficiencies, and even ultrafast pulsed operation. Herein, the unique energy level structure and spectroscopy of the dysprosium ion are examined and the major developments that have led to this resurgence of interest and subsequent record mid‐infrared laser performance are surveyed. Also mid‐infrared applications of emerging dysprosium lasers are highlighted, in addition to surveying the many opportunities that lie  ahead. Although it has been several decades since the first demonstration of a dysprosium laser, it is relatively recently that a growing research interest is seen. Herein, the unique energy level structure and spectroscopy of the dysprosium ion are examined and the major developments that have led to this resurgence are surveyed, in addition to assessing the opportunities that lie ahead.
ISSN:1863-8880
1863-8899
DOI:10.1002/lpor.201900195