High-power cylindrical vector beam fiber laser based on an all-polarization-maintaining structure

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Fiber Optics

Background:

• Cylindrical vector beams (CVBs) are crucial for applications requiring precise light field control.
• Existing high-power CVB sources often face challenges with stability and operational complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a novel all-polarization-maintaining (PM) high-power fiber laser for generating CVBs.
• To achieve a stable single TE01 vector beam with high power and mode purity.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the principle of mode superposition within an all-PM fiber laser architecture.
• Generating a non-degenerated LPy11a mode in the oscillator.
• Superposing LPy11a and LPx11b modes to achieve the target TE01 vector beam.

Main Results:

• The oscillator achieved a maximum output power of 11.9W with a slope efficiency of 24.4%.
• A stable single TE01 vector beam was successfully obtained with an output power of 3.1W and 91.2% mode purity.
• The all-PM design eliminated the need for polarization controllers, ensuring reliable long-term operation.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated all-PM fiber laser provides a stable and high-power source of cylindrical vector beams.
• This technology offers a reliable solution for advanced scientific research and industrial applications demanding high-quality vector beams.