Abstract

The 2-µm lasers doped with rare-earth ions are attractive for many applications because of the high atmospheric transmission and the low background noise in this wavelength region and because of eye safety. Since these are quasi-three-level lasers, efficient operation requires an effective heat release from the active region. Reduction in the size of host material is one effective way to attain highly efficient oscillation. Glass has a low thermal conductivity but the advantage of being easily formed into a thin fiber, resulting in efficient heat release.

© 1995 Optical Society of America