title: Ultra-short wavelength operation of a thulium fibre laser in the 1660-1750 nm wavelength band.
abstract: Ultra-short wavelength operation of a thulium fibre laser is investigated. Through use of core pumping and high feedback efficiency wavelength selection, a continuously-tunable fibre laser source operating from 1660 nm to 1720 nm is demonstrated in a silica host. We discuss the range of applications within this important wavelength band such as polymer materials processing and medical applications targeting characteristic C-H bond resonance peaks. As a demonstration of the power scalability of thulium fibre lasers in this band, fixed wavelength operation at 1726 nm with output power up 12.6 W and with slope efficiency > 60% is also shown.
authors.forename: J M O
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simakov
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tokurakawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibsen
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Clarkson