40 kW sub-picosecond pulse generation using cladding-pumped Er/sup 3+//Yb/sup 3+/ fibers

Sub-picosecond pulse amplification at 1.55 /spl mu/m in a cladding-pumped Er/sup 3+//Yb/sup 3+/ co-doped fiber amplifier is studied. A peak power higher than 40 kW is obtained using a chirped pulse amplification technique. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that nonlinear pulse distortions ultimately limit the maximum achievable peak power.