Compact, Double-Clad Single Crystal Fiber IR Laser

There is an important need for high power, compact laser sources. Recently over 100 Watts has been demonstrated from a glass fiber laser. Two advances that have made this possible are the availability of high power diode lasers used as pumps anddouble-claddingof the fibers. For several reasons significant improvements on these results are possible using single crystal fibers rather than glass fibers. Using the LHPG technique to grow single crystal fibers of YAG, we are proposing to developdiode-pumped, double-clad fiber lasers of Er:YAG for sensor applications.The key benefits of double-clad single crystal fiber lasers are that much higher powers and efficiencies are possible in a compact, lightweight design. These lasers could then be usednot only for military systems but also for medical surgical systems and telecommunication systems.