Photonics, Vol. 11, Pages 1033: 1010 nm Directly LD-Pumped 6kW Monolithic Fiber Laser Employing Long-Tapered Yb3+-Doped Fiber

Photonics, Vol. 11, Pages 1033: 1010 nm Directly LD-Pumped 6kW Monolithic Fiber Laser Employing Long-Tapered Yb3+-Doped Fiber

Photonics doi: 10.3390/photonics11111033

Authors: Mingye Yang Peng Wang Xiaoyong Xu Hanshuo Wu Zhiyong Pan Yun Ye Zhiping Yan Xiaoming Xi Hanwei Zhang Xiaolin Wang

Utilizing long-wavelength laser diodes (LDs) for pumping to achieve high-power fiber laser output is an effective method for attaining high quantum efficiency and excellent thermal management. In this work, we report on a Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA)-structured long-tapered Yb3+-doped fiber laser directly pumped by long-wavelength laser diodes. By shifting the center wavelength of the pump source to 1010 nm, the heat generation within the fiber laser is effectively controlled, thereby increasing the transverse mode instability (TMI) threshold. Additionally, the use of a long-tapered fiber enlarges the mode area and suppresses stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effects that typically arise from increased fiber length. As a result, an output of 6030 W is achieved with an optical-to-optical (O–O) efficiency of 83.7%, a SRS suppression ratio exceeding 50 dB, and no occurrence of dynamic TMI. This approach provides a valuable reference for optimizing long-wavelength pumping to suppress nonlinear effects and also holds potential for wide-temperature operational applications.