Optimization of passive Q‐switched fiber laser employing MAX phase chromium aluminum carbide film

Abstract In this work, we proposed a mechanical exfoliation technique to compose a saturable absorber (SA) from MAX phase chromium aluminum carbide (Cr 2 AlC). The performance of a passive Q‐switched erbium‐doped fiber laser (EDFL) based on Cr 2 AlC‐SA was experimentally demonstrated. The optical properties of SA showed appropriate nonlinear absorption, with a non‐saturable absorption of 92.5%, and saturable absorption of 1.2%. The proposed EDFL was investigated using 50:50 and 80:20 output couplers (OCs). At 167 mW pumping power and 3 dB OC, the EDFL produced pulses with 2 μs width, and 163 kHz repetition rate. Moreover, with 80:20 OC, the EDFL produced shorter laser pulses with 1.46 μs width, and 135.2 kHz pulsing rate. The results reveal that the higher repetition rate with high energy can be obtained with a 3 dB coupler, while narrower pulse width is achieved with an 80:20 OC.