High brightness pumps for fiber lasers based on monolithically grating stabilized diode lasers

Innovation in diode laser design and technology, assembly techniques and optical design are used to realize high-brightness pump modules for application in pumping of fiber lasers. In a first demonstration, monolithically grating-stabilized diode lasers with wavelength around 970 nm are integrated into prototype modules that deliver 500 W of continuous wave TE-polarized optical power at a conversion efficiency > 55% within a spectral width of 1.2 nm (95% power) in a narrow beam, suitable for low-loss coupling into a 200-mu m core fiber. An especially simple opto-mechanical configuration is developed, without need for external volume Bragg gratings.