title: Compact diode-pumped passively Q-switched tunable Er-Yb double-clad fiber laser.
abstract: Efficient repetitive passive Q switching of a cladding-pumped Er-Yb fiber laser has been demonstrated by use of an external-cavity configuration containing a Co(2+): ZnS crystal as a saturable absorber. Energies of as much as 60muJ in pulses of durations as short as 3.5 ns (FWHM), corresponding to a peak power of >10kW, have been generated, and the maximum slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power was 13%. Using a bulk diffraction grating in the Littrow configuration to provide wavelength-selective feedback, we tuned the passively Q -switched fiber laser over 31 nm from 1532 to 1563 nm. The prospects for further improvement in performance are discussed.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laroche
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chardon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Clarkson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moncorgé