Self-pulsation of Nd3+-doped fluoride fiber laser is experimentally and theoretically demonstrated using a Tm3+-doped fluoride fiber pumped at 808 nm as a saturable absorber. Self-pulsation at finite pump power predicted by linear stability analysis is confirmed through experiments, achieving a pulse width and peak power of 4.5µs and 1.5mW when the Nd3+-doped fiber was pumped at 230mW.

Fundamentals and development of PDFAs are described. Spectroscopic data of Pr3+ in a fluoride glass are presented with a view to understanding the performance of PDFA. An amplification mechanism model which explains PDFA performance is established. On the basis of the model pump schemes which efficiently extract the potential in Pr3+-doped fluoride fiber are discussed in order to construct amplifier modules. Gain characteristics of Pr3+-doped fluoride fibers are clarified. Codoping effect on pump wavelength extension is investigated. LD-pumped PDFA construction and performance are described. PDFAs are shown to be attractive device to upgrade the performance of optical systems at 1.3µm. Furthermore future approaches to PDFA research are discussed.