Abstract
High-power fiber lasers and amplifiers have gained tremendous momentum in the last five years, and many of the traditional manufactures of gas and solid-state lasers are pursuing the attractive fiber-based systems, which are now displacing the old technology in many areas. High-power fiber laser systems require specially designed fibers with large cores and good power handling capabilities – requirements that are all met by the airclad fiber technology. In the present paper we go through many of the building blocks needed to build high-power systems and we show an example of a complete airclad laser system. We present the latest advancements within airclad fiber technology including a new 70 μm single-mode polarization-maintaining rod-type fiber capable of amplifying to MW power levels. Furthermore we describe the novel airclad based pump combiners and their use in a completely monolithic 350 W CW fiber laser system with an M2 of less than 1.1. Finally, we briefly touch upon the subject of photo darkening and its origin.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
Number of pages | 473 |
Volume | 6873 |
Place of Publication | San Jose, California |
Publisher | SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering |
Publication date | 2008 |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Event | SPIE Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering 2008 - San Diego, United States Duration: 19 Jan 2008 → 24 Jan 2008 |
Conference
Conference | SPIE Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering 2008 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | San Diego |
Period | 19/01/2008 → 24/01/2008 |