SIDE MONITORING OF A DOUBLE-CLAD SIDE-PUMPED ND FIBER LASER

A double-clad side-pumped Nd fibre laser is described. This laser is e ither pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser or by a laser diode array. A suita ble method for fibre laser side monitoring is investigated and compare d with commonly used fibre end detection. Side monitoring can be perfo rmed without interfering with the use of the beam and without bending of the fibre. To test this arrangement an all-fibre ring laser has bee n built. This laser has no free ends for standard fibre end detection and therefore requires side monitoring.