Characterization of diode-pumped single-frequency Er-Yb bulk microlasers at 1.55 /spl mu/m

Technological developments and scientific achievements on diode-pumped single-frequency Er-Yb:glass lasers at 1.55 /spl mu/m are presented. The high performance of these bulk solid-state lasers in terms of output power, laser slope efficiency, single longitudinal and transverse mode operation, amplitude and frequency stability, and wavelength tunability, are emphasized. Frequency stabilization against molecular or atomic lines is discussed in some detail since it opens the possibility for an accurate wavelength standard at 1.55 /spl mu/m based on an alternative source to the traditional semiconductor laser diodes.