Self-induced Q-switched fiber laser using tantalum aluminum carbide as a passive modulator

A self-induced Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser operating at 1563 nm was achieved by integrating a passive modulator based on tantalum aluminum carbide (Ta2AlC) MAX phase film embedded into polyynyl alcohol. The modulator, serving as a saturable absorber (SA), established a modulation depth of 9% and a saturation intensity of 0.3 MW cm-2. Upon integration of the film SA, a stable Q-switched fiber laser was obtained, generating pulses with a minimum width of 7.6 mu s at a repetition rate of 45.1 kHz, within a pump power range of 24.9-59.7 mW. The corresponding maximum average output power, maximum pulse energy, and highest peak power were determined at 1.6 mW, 36.2 nJ, and 4.7 mW, respectively. The RF fundamental spectrum exhibited a good signal-to-noise ratio of 61 dB, indicating excellent pulse signal quality. This demonstration of Ta2AlC MAX phase film Q-switched laser may open promising possibilities for scientific applications such as material processing.