Efficient neodymium-doped glass-ceramic fiber laser and amplifier

We report an efficient glass-ceramic fiber laser and show that its slope ef ficiency (similar to 30%) is not compromised by the presence of Nd-doped fl uoride crystals embedded within the core of the single-mode optical fiber. In contrast, the spectroscopy (fluorescence and gain spectrum) of the Nd3ions is dramatically changed by the ceramming process, an indication of str ong partitioning of the rare-earth ions into the CdF2:PbF2:YF3 crystal envi ronment. The enormous potential for a new range of optical devices based on transparent glass-ceramic materials is highlighted. (C) 2001 Optical Socie ty of America.