Energy transition characterization of 1.18 and 1.3 μm bands of bismuth fiber by spectroscopy of the transient oscillations.

The experimental evidence of laser transition type in bismuth-doped silica fibers operating at different spectral bands is presented. Spectrally resolved transient (relaxation) oscillations studied for a Bi-doped fiber laser at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures allow to identify the three- and four-level energy bands. 1.18 μm short-wavelength band is found to be a three-level system at room temperature with highly populated terminal energy level of laser transition. The depopulation of ground level by cooling the fiber down to liquid-nitrogen temperature changes the transition to four-level type. Four-level energy transition distinguished at 1.32 μm exhibits the net gain at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]