High-power superfluorescent source with a side-pumped Yb-doped double-cladding fiber

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Technology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Fiber amplifiers offer compact and efficient laser solutions.
• Broadband light sources are crucial for applications like spectroscopy and optical communications.
• Ytterbium-doped fibers provide efficient amplification in the near-infrared spectrum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact superfluorescent source.
• To utilize an Yb-doped double-cladding fiber amplifier.
• To characterize the performance of the developed fiber source.

Main Methods:

• A compact superfluorescent source was constructed using an Yb-doped double-cladding fiber amplifier.
• The amplifier was pumped at 975 nm using a 2.0-W broad-stripe laser diode.
• Side-coupling emission was achieved through an embedded V groove for efficient pumping.

Main Results:

• The fiber source generated 485 mW of broadband emission.
• The emission was centered at 1055 nm.
• A 41-nm Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) flat power spectrum was achieved.

Conclusions:

• A compact and efficient superfluorescent source based on Yb-doped fiber was successfully demonstrated.
• The source exhibits a broadband, flat power spectrum suitable for various applications.
• The side-coupling pumping method proved effective for this fiber amplifier configuration.