Advances in high-power short-pulse fiber laser systems and technology (Invited Paper)

Abstract

Abstract:We review recent advances in Yb fiber lasers and amplifiers for high power short pulse systems. We go on to describe associated recent developments in fiber components for use in such systems. Examples include microstructured optical fibers for pulse compression and supercontinuum generation, and advanced fiber grating technology for chirped-pulse amplifier systems.

High Average Power, High Energy, Femto-second Fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification System

“…Critical components of our system are a chirped-fiber-Bragg-grating (CFBG) stretcher designed with both 2 nd and 3 rd order dispersion compensation matched to the compressor [1], an Yb-fiber amplifier chain with bandwidth optimized using modelling tools [2], and a dielectric grating based compressor which has the advantages of high power handling compared to gold gratings without the size constraints associated with fused silica transmission gratings. The system produced 135 W after the amplifier chain at 10 MHz pulse repetition rate (13.5 µJ pulse energy) and the recompressed pulse duration was 360 fs.…”