Challenges in single-polarization fibers (Invited Paper)

Abstract

We have demonstrated high power, linearly polarized output from an all-fiber laser using an integrated polarizing fiber. In this paper, we will detail the design, fabrication and operation of the single polarization fiber as well as the fiber laser experiments.

Linearly-polarized Yb-doped Fiber Laser in an All-fiber Configuration

“…Linearly-polarized fiber laser by coiling a PM fiber tightly have been reported [4], but it is not applicable to a fiber laser with a standard numerical-aperture (NA) whose propagation-loss difference between two polarization components is very small. Single-polarization fiber is being extensively investigated [5] but the cost is still unknown.…”

Single linearly polarized, widely tunable Yb3+-doped fiber laser with alternative polarization and wavelength

“…A fiber laser with a linearly polarized, widely tunable wavelength range and narrow bandwidth is attractive in a variety of applications, such as nonlinear frequency conversion [3], and coherent beam combining [4], and optical parametric oscillation. Exploring simple and reliable techniques for generating single linearly polarized and widely tunable fiber laser output has been an important topic in the research field [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…There are some methods, which were used for the single linearly polarized laser generation from fiber lasers, such as coiling polarization maintained (PM) fiber tightly or using single-polarization fiber in a laser cavity, but they all have drawbacks in practice [5]. Single mode (SM) fiber coupled with a polarizer is the most widely used technique for selecting a single polarization state [6], the disadvantages are low long term stability, low efficiency and the increased cost.…”