A TM3-M PUMPED AT 809 NM( SENSITIZED HO3+ SILICA LASER AT 2.04 MU)

Laser action at 2.04 mum has been achieved in a Tm3+ sensitized Ho3+:S iO2 glass fibre laser. A high Tm3+ concentration of 2000 ppm wt. allow s optical pumping at 809 nm, in the wing of the Tm3+ 786 nm absorption . Pumping was performed using a rhodamine 800 dye laser and a 809 nm A lGaAs laser diode operated in fundamental transverse mode. To our know ledge this is the first operation of a laser diode pumped Tm3+:Ho3+:Si O2 fibre laser.