Er/sup 3+/-Yb/sup 3+/ and Er/sup 3+/ doped fiber lasers

Single-mode fiber lasers operating at approximately 1.57 mu m are described. Output powers of >2 mW are reported for laser diode pumped operation. Direct comparison is made between fiber lasers using sensitized erbium (Er/sup 3+/ and Yb/sup 3+/) and erbium on its own. The performance of Er/sup 3+/-Yb/sup 3+/ fiber lasers is analyzed in more detail as a function of fiber length. Both CW and Q-switched operations are studied and the results obtained demonstrate that practical sources at 1.5 mu m are available from diode pumped Er/sup 3+/-Yb/sup 3+/ systems.<
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