Quasi-continuous-wave Yb-doped Fiber Lasers with 1.5 kW Peak Power

Abstract

High-power quasi-continuous-wave (qcw) operation in Yb-doped double-clad fiber lasers with near-diffraction-limited quality of the output beam is reported. Based on numerical simulation, we built a simple, all-fiberized Yb fiber laser, and a fiber-based master-oscillator power amplifier (MOPA). Both laser systems have successfully produced qcw output with average power greater than 150 W at 1080 nm and 10 ms pulse duration at 10 Hz repetition rate, corresponding to a peak power greater than 1.5 kW for 205 W of pump power at 976 nm. Laser performance, including beam quality and slope efficiency, was characterized in both configurations. Prospects for power scaling and applications are discussed.