Large-mode-area Nd-doped single-transverse-mode dual-wavelength microstructure fiber laser

A novel design for a microstructure fiber (MSF) laser consisting of a large core and a single annulus of 5 air holes is described. The fiber design incorporates a silica core that was doped in the liquid phase with 1300 ppm Nd2O3. The light guiding losses in the structurally very simple MSF are approximate to 0.7 dB/m. Single transverse mode emission is demonstrated with a mode field area larger than 200 mu m(2). The laser simultaneously emits at two groups of wavelengths centered at 1060 nm and 1090 nm. Pumped by a cw Ti:sapphire laser, the fiber laser yields a maximum output power of 280 mW (pump power limited) at a slope efficiency of 52%. Our results indicate how the advanced possibilities of MSF's can be used for optimized fiber laser designs. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.