Dual-wavelength passively Q-switched Tm:YAP solid state laser based on Bi2Te3 nanowire saturable absorber

A kind of uniform Bi2Te3 nanowires was successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. And it was firstly used as saturable absorber in a 2 mu m mid-infrared solid state laser, as far as we know. With a careful adjustment, a dual-wavelength passively Q-switching laser operation was realized at 1945 nm and 1979.2 nm respectively. A maximum output power of 1.015 W was achieved, corresponding to the maximum single pulse energy of 3.965 mu J and peak power of 11.765 W. The shortest pulse width of 337 ns was obtained at a maximum repetition rate of 260 kHz. Compared with other popular saturabe absorbers in 2 mu m solid state laser, this material showed a better modulation capability to some extent. These results suggest that Bi2Te3 nanowire may be developed as another kind of promising nanomaterial for mid-infrared solid state pulse laser.

Automated summary

A type of uniform Bi2Te3 nanowires were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and used as saturable absorber in a 2 μm mid-infrared solid state laser for the first time. Dual-wavelength passively Q-switched laser operation at 1945 nm and 1979.2 nm was achieved through careful adjustment. The Bi2Te3 nanowires exhibited better modulation capability compared to other popular saturable absorbers, indicating their potential as promising nanomaterials for mid-infrared solid state pulse lasers.