New schemes of Raman fiber lasers

Abstract

Summary form only given: A brief review of recent results obtained in new schemes of Raman fiber lasers (RFLs) is given. It is shown that cavity-free random lasing based on Rayleigh backscattering provides ultimate pump-to-Stokes conversion efficiency and broad-range wavelength tuning. Direct pumping of gradient-index fibers by multimode LDs offers high-power RFL operation below 1 μm. Combination of both approaches is also treated.