High-power linearly-polarized single-frequency thulium-doped fiber Master-Oscillator Power-Amplifier

• Published in: Optics express Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 1607 - 1612
• Main Authors: Pearson, L, Kim, J W, Zhang, Z, Ibsen, M, Sahu, J K, Clarkson, W A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 18-01-2010
• Subjects: Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Fiber Optic Technology - instrumentation; Linear Models; Optical Devices; Oscillometry - instrumentation; Refractometry - instrumentation; Thulium - chemistry
• ISSN: 1094-4087; 1094-4087
• DOI: 10.1364/OE.18.001607

We report a high power narrow-linewidth source at approximately 2 microm based on a Tm-doped fiber distributed-feedback master-oscillator and three Tm fiber amplifier stages. The master-oscillator and first two amplifier stages were in-band pumped by Er,Yb fiber lasers operating at 1565 nm, and the final stage amplifier was cladding-pumped at 795 nm by two spatially-combined diode-stacks. The MOPA yielded 100 W of single frequency output at 1943 nm with a beam propagation factor (M(2)) of 1.25 and with a polarization extinction ratio of >94%. The output power was limited by thermally-induced damage in the final amplifier stage. The prospects for further power scaling are considered.