Modelling of dysprosium-doped ZBLAN fiber laser

A medium infrared solid-state laser, based on ZBLAN fibre doped with trivalent dysprosium ions, emitting at the wavelength λ = 3 μm is designed. Single mode laser emission is obtained through in-band pumping at λ = 2.8 μm. In order to accurately investigate the feasibility and the performance of the device, the rate equation approach is exploited and realistic parameters for the fibre and the rare earth are considered. A maximum slope efficiency of about n
_s
= 54% and a threshold power P
_th
in the 150-250 mW range are predicted.