Modeling of resonantly pumped mid-infrared Pr3+-doped chalcogenide fiber amplifier with different pumping schemes

We propose a model for resonantly pumped Pr3+-doped chalcogenide fiber amplifiers, which includes excited state absorption and the full spectral amplified spontaneous emission spanning from 2 mu m to 6 mu m. Based on this model, the observed near- and mid-infrared photoluminescence generated from Pr3+ -doped chalcogenide fiber is explained. Then the output properties of a 4.1 mu m resonantly pumped Pr3+-doped chalcogenide fiber amplifier are simulated in both co- and counter-pumping schemes. Results show that the 4.1 mu m counter-pumped fiber amplifier can achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 62.8% for signal wavelengths ranging from 4.5 mu m to 5.3 mu m. This is, to our best knowledge. the highest simulated PCE for a Pr3+-doped chalcogenide fiber amplifier. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement