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Encompassing a broad range of material from laser physics fundamentals to state-of-the-art research, to industrial applications in the rapidly growing field of quantum electronics, this book covers fundamental aspects of fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers.

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This book covers the fundamental aspects of fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers, and includes a wide range of material from laser physics fundamentals to state-of-the-art topics, as well as industrial applications in the rapidly growing field of quantum electronics. Emphasis is placed on the nonlinear processes taking place in fiber lasers and amplifiers, their similarities, differences to, and their advantages over other solid-state lasers. The reader will learn basic principles of solid-state physics and optical spectroscopy of laser active centers in fibers, main operational laser regimes, and practical recommendations and suggestions on fiber laser research, laser applications, and laser product development. The book will be useful for students, researchers, and professionals who work with lasers, in the optical communications, chemical and biological industries.

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Introduction.- Optical properties and optical spectroscopy of rare-earth ions in solids.- Electron-phonon coupling in solids.- Phonon sidebands of optical transition in solids.- Optical center transitions: spontaneous and stimulated emission.- Rare-earth center in solids.- Homogeneous and inhomogeneous line broadening.- Spectroscopic parameters of optical transitions.- Sensitization of laser active optical centers.- Physical and optical properties of laser glass.- Mechanical and thermal properties of glass.- Optical properties of fibers (attenuation).- Different glass types used in fiber lasers and amplifiers.- Fiber fabrication and high quality glasses for gain fibers.- Spectroscopic properties of and gain fibers.- Propagation of light and spatial modes in optical fibers.- V number of the fiber.- Fiber dispersion.- PM fibers.- Laser beam quality ( parameter).- Fiber laser physics fundamentals.- Population inversion: three- and four-energy level systems.- Optical fiber amplifiers.- Fiber laser threshold and efficiency.- Gain and loss in laser resonators.- Fiber laser resonators.- Main fiber laser operational regimes.- CW, Q-switching and mode-locking.- Wavelength tunable lasers.- Single longitudinal mode lasers.- Main optical components for fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers design.- Laser diodes.- Principle of operation.- Main types of diode lasers.- High power diode lasers.- Fiber coupled diode lasers.- Fiber coupled PM and non-PM optical components.- High power fiber lasers.- Gain fiber pumping technology for high power fiber lasers.- Double-clad fibers and clad pumping technology.- Large mode area (LMA) fibers for high power, diffraction limited operation.- Nonlinear processes in optical fibers and their role in fiber laser and fiber amplifier technology development.- Self focusing and self trapping in optical fibers.- High power fiber laser oscillators versus low power Master-Oscillator - Power Fiber Amplifier geometry.- Beam combining of fiber lasers.- Fiber lasers´ industrial applications.- Conclusions.

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