Using Reduced Graphene Oxide to Generate Q-Switched Pulses in Er-Doped Fiber Laser

Using the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a saturable absorber (SA) in an Er-doped fiber (EDF) laser cavity, we obtain the Q-switching operation. The rGO SA is prepared by depositing the GO on fluorine mica (FM) using the thermal reduction method. The modulation depth of rGO/FM is measured to be 3.2%. By incorporating the rGO/FM film into the EDF laser cavity, we obtain stable Q-switched pulses. The shortest pulse duration is 3.53 μs, and the maximum single pulse energy is 48.19 nJ. The long-term stability of working is well exhibited. The experimental results show that the rGO possesses potential photonics applications. (paper)