Bi-Doped Optical Fibers and Fiber Lasers

The current state of the art in infrared Bi-doped fiber laser research is reviewed. The relevant fiber glass compositions and fiber technologies are introduced. Lasers operating on transitions ranging from 1.15 to 1.55 μm occurring in the bismuth active centers and their energy level schemes are discussed on the basis of the spectroscopic properties of these centers. Continuous-wave fundamental-mode power levels ranging from a few mW near 1.55 μm up to 16 W near 1.16 μm and 22 W near 1.46 μm have been demonstrated in recent years.