We have investigated the performance of blue upconversion fiber lasers based on thulium-doped ZBLAN fiber, operating at 480 nm with a 1140-nm pump. Extensive fluorescence measurements have provided the necessary spectroscopic data to present a computer model that describes the performance of such lasers with good accuracy despite the complicated three-step upconversion mechanism and the influence of ion–ion energy transfer processes. We have identified the mechanisms that populate the levels above the ¹G₄ level and are able to specify the corresponding spectroscopic parameters. We discuss the relevance of these processes to the 480-nm laser performance. Furthermore, we have calculated optimized parameters for such lasers.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

[Optical Society of America ]

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