ROOM-TEMPERATURE FLUOROZIRCONATE GLASS-FIBER LASER IN THE VIOLET (412 NM)

Continuous oscillation on the P-2(32)-->I-4(11/2) transition of Nd3+ in a fluorozirconate glass (ZBLAN) fiber at room temperature has been observed. When pumped at similar to 590 nm, a Nd:ZBLAN fiber 39 cm in length lases in the violet at 412 nm and produces similar to 0.5 mW of power for 320 mW of pump power and a cavity output coupling of 0.4%. The breadth of the laser's excitation spectrum is similar to 12 nm (581-593 nm).