Next generation mid-infrared fiber: fluoroindate glass fiber

Fluoroindate glass fibers have shown intriguing application prospects in the field of mid-infrared (MIR) fiber lasers and supercontinuum (SC) sources because of their wide MIR transmission window, low phonon energy, and nonlinear characteristics. This paper reviews the representative research achievements of fluoroindate glass from the 1980s to the present, comprising the composition optimization, structure, glass melting conditions, optical fiber fabrication process, MIR laser emissions, and SC of fluoroindate glass. Notably, the MIR laser output of the fluoroindate bulk glass and optical fiber was beyond 3 mu m, and the power reached to 100 mW levels. SC generated in fluoroindate-based fibers has been greater than 4 mu m, and has achieved its highest output power at a 10 W level. Fluoroindate-based fibers are expected to produce high-power MIR laser and SC output based on the reduction of fiber loss and optimization of the pump source.