High power fiber lasers: current status and future perspectives

作     者：Richardson, D. J. Nilsson, J. Clarkson, W. A. 

作者机构：Univ Southampton Optoelect Res Ctr Southampton SO17 1BJ Hants England 

出 版 物：《JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA B-OPTICAL PHYSICS》 (美国光学会志，B辑：光物理学)

年 卷 期：2010年第27卷第11期

页      面：B63-B92页

核心收录：

学科分类：070207[理学-光学] 07[理学] 08[工学] 0803[工学-光学工程] 0702[理学-物理学] 

基　　金：United Kingdom Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) EPSRC [EP/E057292/1] Funding Source: UKRI 

主　　题：current status Fiber HIGH POWER Fibre Sources High power fiber lasers Heat generation operating wavelength Output power 

摘      要：The rise in output power from rare-earth-doped fiber sources over the past decade, via the use of cladding-pumped fiber architectures, has been dramatic, leading to a range of fiber-based devices with outstanding performance in terms of output power, beam quality, overall efficiency, and flexibility with regard to operating wavelength and radiation format. This success in the high-power arena is largely due to the fiber s geometry, which provides considerable resilience to the effects of heat generation in the core, and facilitates efficient conversion from relatively low-brightness diode pump radiation to high-brightness laser output. In this paper we review the current state of the art in terms of continuous-wave and pulsed performance of ytterbium-doped fiber lasers, the current fiber gain medium of choice, and by far the most developed in terms of high-power performance. We then review the current status and challenges of extending the technology to other rare-earth dopants and associated wavelengths of operation. Throughout we identify the key factors currently limiting fiber laser performance in different operating regimes-in particular thermal management, optical nonlinearity, and damage. Finally, we speculate as to the likely developments in pump laser technology, fiber design and fabrication, architectural approaches, and functionality that lie ahead in the coming decade and the implications they have on fiber laser performance and industrial/scientific adoption. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America