Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Construction And Passive Q-Switching Of A Ring-Cavity Erbium-Doped Fiber Laser Using Carbon Nanotubes As A Saturable Absorber, Austin Scott

Graduate Theses - Physics and Optical Engineering

The purpose of this thesis is to design, build, test, and achieve pulsed operation of a ring-cavity erbium-doped fiber laser using carbon nanotubes as a saturable absorber. The erbium-doped fiber is characterized first, cross-sections are calculated, and the gain value is determined. Subsequently, the ring cavity is constructed and the laser is operated in the continuous wave regime. Much time is then spent trying to characterize and utilize the carbon nanotubes successfully. Many dispersions are made using multiple solvents and dispersing media, various images are taken with both scanning electron and Raman microscopy, and attempts at purification are made. Saturable …