SINGLE-MODE TUNABLE ERBIUM-YTTERBIUM FIBER FABRY-PEROT MICROLASER

A compact tunable single-mode fiber laser at 1535 nm is developed by u se of a novel combination of high-gain erbium:ytterbium (Er:Yb) phosph ate-glass fiber within a fiber Fabry-Perot cavity. We demonstrate what we believe to be the shortest Er:Yb phosphate-glass fiber Fabry-Perot laser ever reported, having a 100-mum cavity length and a continuous wavelength tuning range over 4.52 nm (limited by the sharp fiber gain peak). An alternative three-mirror laser design has also demonstrated single-mode lasing operation.