DIODE-LASER-PUMPED TUNABLE 896-939.5-NM NEODYMIUM-DOPED FIBER LASER WITH 43-MW OUTPUT POWER

A diode-laser-pumped neodymium-doped fiber laser is presented. For a l aunched pump power of 85 mm, the fiber laser had a cw output power of 43 mW, which is approximately an order of magnitude greater output pow er than any previously reported diode-pumped neodymium fiber laser ope rating on the F-4(3/2)-I-4(9/2) transition, which covers the 900-950-n m region. The fiber laser had a threshold power of 10 mW and a slope e fficiency of 58% with respect to launched pump power. Tuning with a di ffraction grating was obtained from 896 to 937 nm with narrow-band out put powers as high as 32 mW. Emission was also obtained at 939.5 nm wi th use of a fiber Bragg grating as the output reflector. (C) 1998 Opti cal Society of America.