Introduction to High Power Fiber Lasers

Motes and Berdine have created a book is a unique combination of textbook and state-of the-art review in high power fiber lasers. Addressing the need for detailed, organized high power fiber laser technology in single work for use in education, research and industry, the authors present a collection of information from hundreds of research publications arranged it in a logical format. Although several excellent laser textbooks are available that describe the theory and operation of lasers in general, this book specializes in high-power fiber laser (HPFL) technology and systems. Of particular note is that other high-power bulk solid state lasers (SSL) that are vying for position in industry and defense thus the authors present detailed information on the advantages and disadvantages of fiber lasers with respect to bulk SSLs. Beginning with a introduction to the current state of the art in fiber lasers, the authors follow with a detailed, technical overview of HPFLs, first providing an introduction to optical waveguides in silica glass fibers and then a technical review of fiber amplifiers and lasers. A chapter is also included on fiber laser limitations. To circumvent the current limitation on single-fiber laser output power, chapters are provided on beam combining, beam quality, and Fourier optics to further the development and scaling of fiber laser systems past 10 kW with good beam quality. The book concludes with material addressing system design and applications and future directions.