HIGH-EFFICIENCY OPERATION OF A TM3-DOPED ALUMINO-ZIRCO-FLUORIDE GLASS-FIBER LASER NEAR ROOM-TEMPERATURE(, HO3+ CO)

High-efficiency operation at two micrometers for a very short (less th an 30 mm long) Tm3+, Ho3+ co-doped AZF glass fiber laser pumped by a T i:sapphire laser has been demonstrated near room temperature. A cw out put power of up to 150 mW with a slope efficiency of 37% was achieved using a 24.5-mm-long, Tm3+, Ho3+ co-doped AZF glass fiber at 15 degree s C.