Analysis of Ultra-Broadband Amplified Spontaneous Emissions Generated by Single and Glass-Clad Crystal Fibers

Numerical analysis and experimental verification of the ultra-broadband amplified spontaneous emissions (ASEs) generated by Cr⁴⁺:YAG crystal fibers are presented. Milliwatt ASE was obtained from a double-clad 25-mum-core fiber. Results of the experimental ASE power measurements and the composition analysis using electron probe micro-analyzer were used to determine the absorption, emission, and excited-state absorption cross sections of pump and signal of the crystal fibers. The numerical analysis showed that the ASE output power is improved by reducing the fiber core diameter down to several micrometers despite of the increased consumption in excited-state absorption of pump. A comparison of the cross sections between those in literature and this work indicates that the crystal fiber has good crystal and optical qualities using the laser heated pedestal growth method. The large pump absorption of the Cr⁴⁺:YAG crystal fiber limits its useful length. With such short fiber length, the ASE lights can not acquire enough gain. The ASE efficiency can be further improved by using bi-direction and cladding pump structure to increase the crystal fiber length and incorporating a high ASE reflector at the input end of the crystal fiber. The Cr⁴⁺:YAG crystal fiber has a potential for applying to ultra-broadband ASE light source in wavelength division multiplexing network.