Diode-pumped 1.7-W erbium 3-µm fiber laser

摘要: We report what is to our knowledge the first 3-mm fiber laser of 1-W class. 1.7 W output power and 17.3% slope eff iciency (with respect launched pump power) at a wavelength 2.71 mm are demonstrated from double-clad erbium-doped ZBLAN diode pumped 790 nm. Energy transfer Er3+ lower level Pr3+ codopant decreases ground-state bleaching excited-state absorption, thus avoiding output-power saturation. This result represents more than an order-of-magnitude improvement over previous work which we aware. Advantages current crystal-laser designs include nearly transverse fundamental-mode operation, reduced thermal effects, ease use, e.g., in medical endoscopy.