Q-switched fiber laser in C-band region using metal ceramic-based saturable absorber

• Main Authors: Diblawe, Abdulkadir Mukhtar, Najm Alsalam, Mustafa Mohammed, Nizamani, Bilal, Rosol, Ahmad Haziq Aiman, Samatar, Abdullahi Mohamed, Dimyati, Kaharudin, Yasin, Moh, Tiu, Zian Cheak, Harun, Sulaiman Wadi
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier 2022
• Subjects: TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/41701/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

We successfully demonstrated a stable Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) using Molybdenum Aluminum Boride (MoAIB), a metal ceramic-based material as saturable absorber (SA). The thin layer of MoAIB was obtained by mechanical exfoliation method and acquired onto the end surface of a standard FC/PC fiber connector to function as SA. The features of MoAIB-SA are experimentally evaluated in two output coupling ratios, which are 50:50 and 95:5. From the experimental results, MoAIB-SA is well-functioning as SA to modulate the CW lasing into Q-switching operation. The 95:5 coupler setup presented better pulse quality, in term of pulse repetition rate and pulse width. Additionally, 50:50 coupler setup allows higher pump power and pulse energy to extract from the fiber laser system.