The feasibility of constructing a dual-wavelength, spatially single-mo
de, superfluorescent fiber emitter on the basis of erbium optical fibe
rs with pumping by multimode semiconductor lasers is demonstrated. The
emitter is fabricated by all-fiber technology and has a power output
in excess of 10 mW, an average emission wavelength of 1.54 mu m, and a
spectral resolution of 27.5 nm at component linewidths of 3 nm and 9
nm. The depolarization of the radiation from the emitter as it propaga
tes in an anisotropic, single-mode fiber waveguide is investigated. (C
) 1997 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7850(97)02410-5].