Single-mode cw erbium-ytterbium glass laser at 1.5 microm

Single-mode operation of a continuous-wave Er:Yb:phosphate glass laser pumped at 980 nm by a InGaAs index-guided diode laser has been achieved for what is to our knowledge the first time. The maximum output power obtained at 1540 nm is 10 mW, and the width of the spectral line is less than 15 kHz.