400 mW ultrashort cavity low-noise single-frequency Yb3+-doped phosphate fiber laser

A compact, low-noise, single-frequency fiber laser by using a newly developed Yb3+ heavily doped single-mode phosphate glass fiber has been demonstrated. Over 400 mW stable continuous wave single transverse and longitudinal mode laser at 1.06 mu m was achieved from a 0: 8 cm long active fiber. The measured slope efficiency and estimated quantum efficiency of laser emission are 72.7% and 93%, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio is higher than 72 dB, and the linewidth of the fiber laser is less than 7 kHz, while the measured relative intensity noise is less than -130 dB/Hz at frequencies of over 1: 5 MHz. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America