Superbroadband fluorescence fiber fabricated with granulated oxides

We demonstrate a single-core multiply doped fiber that, when pumped with a single pump source of approximately 800 nm, emits a more than two-octaves-spanning fluorescence spectrum ranging from 365 to 2300 nm. The fiber preform is manufactured from granulated oxides, and the core is doped with five different rare earths. At a pump power of 250 mW the total emitted power is 34 microW; given a core diameter of 6.5 microm and a numerical aperture of 0.1, the radiance exceeds 3 kW sr(-1) cm(-2). We also demonstrate direct diode pumping of the fiber.