Nigel Holehouse

Modal sensitivity analysis for single mode operation in large mode area fiber

Most of the current large mode area (LMA) fibers are few-moded designs using a large, low numerical aperture (N.A.) core, which promotes mode coupling between core modes and increases bending losses (coupling with claddingmodes), which is undesirable both in terms ofmode area and beamquality. Furthermore, short LMA fiber lengths and small cladding diameters are needed to minimize nonlinear effects and maximize pump absorption respectively in high-power pulsed laser systems. Although gain fiber coiling is a widely used technique to filter-out unwanted modes in LMA fibers, coupling between modes can still occur in component leads and relay fibers. In relay fiber, light coupled into higher-order modes can subsequently be lost in the coiling or continue as higher-order modes, which has the overall effect of reducing the effective transmission of the LP01 mode and degrading the beam quality. However, maximum transmission of the LP01 mode is often required in order to have the best possible beam quality (minimal M2). Launching in an LMA fiber with a mode field adapter (MFA)1 provides an excellent way of ensuring maximum LP01 coupling, but preservation of this mode requires highmodal stability in the output fiber. Small cladding, low N.A. LMA fibers have the disadvantage of being extremely sensitive to external forces in real-life applications, which is unwanted for systems where highly sensitive mode coupling can occur. In this paper, we present a detailed experimental and theoretical analysis of mode coupling sensitivity in LMA fibers as a function of fiber parameters such as N.A., core diameter and cladding diameter. Furthermore, we present the impact of higher N.A. as a solution to increase mode stability in terms of its effect on peak power, effective mode area and coupling efficiency.

Performance and reliability of ARROW single-mode and 100-μm laser diode and the use of NAM in Al-free lasers

While high-powered broad area lasers emitting between 915nm and 975nm are required for pumping Er+ and Yb+ doped dual clad fiber lasers and amplifiers, the single mode 980nm lasers are used for pumping EDFAs. We report on the performance and a systematic reliability assessment of Alfalight’s first generation Al-free multimode laser diodes with 100µm aperture and 2mm cavity length emitting between 950nm and 980nm. Data from 120 devices in five different multi-cell conditions show median life due to wear-out failure to be over 75.5 years. In addition, over 1,307,600 device-hours of accelerated lifetest data at 3A and a 70C heatsink temperature have been accumulated demonstrating 55 FIT (60% confidence level) at a 2W and 25C operation condition. We also present results from a packaged multimode diode laser with wavelength stabilized at 972nm with a spectral FWHM of 0.3nm demonstrating the capability to use such a device for pumping Er+ and Yb+ doped fibers near the more efficient 975nm portion of the absorption spectrum. Advances made in anti-resonant reflective optical waveguide (ARROW) type single mode diode lasers and the advantages over the conventional positive index guided ridge waveguide type lasers will be discussed. Single mode operation of ARROW single mode laser up to 450mW (ex-facet) was achieved. Results from the facet passivation studies showing successful implementation of non-absorbing mirror (NAM) due to quantum well intermixing using Si implantation in Al-free diode lasers will also be discussed. We have demonstrated reliable operation in excess of 5500 hours in index-guided Al-free diode lasers at a constant power of 500mW at a heatsink temperature of 25C.

High power monolithically integrated all-fiber laser design using single-chip multimode pumps for high reliability operation

We present an all-fiber monolithically integrated fiber laser based on a custom tapered fused bundle pump combiner with 32 inputs ports connected to a double clad gain fiber. The pump combiner is designed to provide high isolation between signal and pumps fibers providing intrinsic pump protection. This configuration can generate more than 100W of continuous wave (CW) laser light using single-chip multimode pumps enabling long term reliability.

High power performance limits of fiber components

High power combiners are essential for practical fiber lasers, recent developments in pump technology has increased the available brightness and power of pumps significantly, enabling multi kW lasers and pushing combiner designs to new limits. I will present the challenges, measurements and some solutions to these issues. Traditional calculations for combiners underestimate the issues associated with the ‘tails’ of the pump NA distribution, losses in fully filled combiners increase rapidly as pump NA blooms, and subsequent heating effects dominate the combiner’s power handling. Acrylate coated pump fibers are reaching their limits and devices and measurements on double clad pump combiners with losses <0.05dB, will be presented enabling multi kW operation, The use of triple clad fibers in the gain section will discussed as a solution for multi kW applications. Results on ultra-low background loss FBG’s will be presented, along with developed measurement techniques.

Performance of ridge waveguide lasers fabricated from highly strained InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs quantum wells

We describe 2.5Mm wide Ridge Waveguide Lasers emitting in the wavelength range 1045nm-1065nm. These are fabricated from strained layer single quantum well epitaxial heterostructures with 30%-31% InAs in the quantum well. The devices exhibit stable single spatial mode, single spectral line operation over a wide range of output power and temperature. Preliminary data suggests that reliable high power CW operation may be obtained.

980-nm quantum-well ridge waveguide lasers with high coupled power intosingle-mode fiber

We describe 2?m wide ridge waveguide lasers emitting at a wavelength of 980nm using a strained single quantum well epitaxial structure. These devices exhibit high coupling efficiency into single mode fiber. We have coupled up to 60mW using an industry standard 14-in dual-in-line package. Such devices are ideal for pumping Er-doped Fiber Amplifiers.