Abstract

Linear-polarization fiber lasers will play an important role in polarization-sensitive optical components, as well as useful light sources ⁽¹⁾, sensors and switching devices. Especially, in the case of applying the fiber laser to a polarization sensitive sensor or an optical short pulse generator using the mode-locked operation, it is essential to control a polarization state of the laser. To date, a fiber laser cavity using a metal embedded single-mode fiber polarizer was studied to produce a fiber laser with a stable linearly polarized operation ⁽²⁾. However, it was rather difficult to make low-loss and high-efficiency single-polarization fiber lasers because of excess loss due to the strong absorption of the incorporated metal parts.

© 1988 Optical Society of America