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A spectroscopic study to determine Thulium (Tm3+)/Dysprosium (Dy3+) concentrations in fluoride crystals: An alternative approach to obtain 3 µm laser operation

Research Project
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01.01.2022
 - 01.01.2023

Lasers have become a fundamental part of many disciplines over the past 60 years. Developing new laser sources is still an attractive prospect, due to the possibility of discovering applications that have not yet been considered. For medical applications, where there is a desire to replace mechanical surgical tools, lasers operating around 3 μm are particularly important, mainly due the strong absorption of water and high-water content of biological tissues. To date, several laser sources, mainly erbium- and holmium-based lasers, operating around 3 μm have been utilized in laser osteotomy to provide sterile, high precision, and functional cuts. These lasers, however, have some limitations. For example, the high energy erbium lasers available on the market have a pumping scheme that limits repetition frequency. In the case of holmium lasers and fiber alternatives, the output energies are quite limited due to low damage threshold levels. In this project, the author suggests an ion combination in solid-state gain media to generate 3 μm laser oscillation, which can potentially be used in bone ablation. Solid-state media have superior thermal properties and stability compared to fiber lasers. In the 3 μm region, Dy3+ ions have attracted the attention of the solid-state laser community thanks to improvements in the crystal fabrication process over the last two decades. The aim of this project is to achieve a comprehensive spectroscopical analysis of a potentially highly efficient ion combination (Tm3+/Dy3+ ions) for laser operation. This spectroscopical analysis consists of three main steps: steady-state absorption, and both steady-state and dynamic emission characterizations. The author plans to use the findings to model the gain dynamics of the ion combination in the gain medium to estimate the possible output of the laser.

Funding

A spectroscopic study to determine Thulium (Tm3+)/Dysprosium (Dy3+) concentrations in fluoride crystals: An alternative approach to obtain 3 µm laser operation

Forschungsfonds (Excellent Junior Researcher) (GrantsTool), 01.2022-01.2023 (13)
PI : Canbaz, Ferda.

Members (1)

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Ferda Canbaz

Principal Investigator