Short-length 10-W cw neodymium-doped M-profile fiber laser

A comparative analysis of the mode field distributions of the pump radiatio n in a double-clad fiber laser and in an M-profile fiber laser shows the su periority of the latter design with respect to absorption efficiency. This efficiency is accurately modeled by the modal analysis, allowing the descri ption of the lasing field within the same model. Based on this approach, th e optimization of the recently invented M-profile fiber laser was carried o ut, leading to an output power of nearly 10 W at lambda = 1050 nm with a sl ope efficiency of 54% utilizing a fiber length of 190 cm. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 060.2280, 060.2320, 060.2400, 060.2380, 060. 2420.