Multi-clad optical fiber lasers and their manufacture

US6959022B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CeramOptec GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Sandrock · Bonn, DE
• Sonja Unger · Jena, DE
• Alexander Harschack · Bad Honnef, DE
• Volker Reichel · Jena, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2003
• Grant date: Oct 25, 2005
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S3/06729
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An optical fiber is disclosed that can be used as an active medium in fiber lasers and/or fiber amplifiers, featuring a preferably rare-earth-doped silica active core surrounded by a pure or doped silica cladding layer (“pump core”). The pump core is surrounded by a doped or pure silica inner cladding for guiding pumping radiation within the pump core. Thus, the refractive index of the inner cladding is lower than that of the pump core. The fiber is surrounded by a protective coating made of polymeric material. One or more additional outer cladding layers, having refractive indexes lower than said inner cladding, may optionally be placed between the inner cladding and the protective coating to further protect the polymer coating from damage. Unlike the prior art, the protective coating does not serve as the only cladding, but is assisted by the inner cladding and optional outer cladding(s). The resultant fiber restricts radiation mainly to silica layers, thereby increasing the damage threshold and the applicable maximum pump power of the fiber.