Laser-diode-pumped Yb : YAG laser as a new pump source and its applicationto an Er3+, Yb3+-codoped high-output-power fiber amplifier

We propose a laser-diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser as a novel practical fiber amp lifier pump source, and describe its first successful application of high-o utput-power operation (850 mW = +29.3 dB m) of an Er3+,Yb3+-codoped fiber a mplifier at 1.55 mu m. We have developed both bulk and microchip Yb:YAG las ers and obtained 3.3 W and 2.7 W, respectively, in the cw mode at room temp erature. Laser-diode-pumped Yb:YAG lasers are shown to have a potential app licability to such fiber amplifiers as Pr3+-doped amplifiers and Tm3+-doped amplifiers, as well as Er3+,Yb3+-codoped fiber amplifiers.