Fiber laser with 1.2-W CW-output power at 2712 nm

A 1.2-W, Er-doped fluoride glass fiber laser has been operated in continuous wave at 2712 nm at room temperature. Optically pumped with a 970-980-nm laser diode, the fiber laser was demonstrated in two different fiber output configurations. Beam characteristics were observed by use of a pyroelectric imager. When focused, this laser was able to produce microholes in paper and chicken fascia tissue, suggesting potential micromachining and microsurgery applications.