Q-switching of Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser using micro-optical waveguide on micro-actuating platform modulator for marking applications
Abstract
A Q-switched all-fiber laser application based on a novel micro-optical waveguide (MOW) on micro-actuating platform (MAP) light modulator is presented. A fused biconical taper (FBT) coupler acts as MOW, mounted on an electromechanical system, MAP, where an axial stress over the waist of FBT coupler is precisely controlled. The axial stress induced refractive index changes caused the coupling efficiency to result in modulation of optical power. The light modulator was implemented in a laser cavity as a Q-switching element. Q-switching of Yb3+-doped fiber laser was successfully achieved with the peak power of 192mW at 4.1W pump power and 699mW at 5.2W at the repetition rate of 18.6kHz. Further optimization of switching speed and modulation depth could improve the pulse extraction efficiency and the proposed structure can be readily applied in all-fiber Q-switching laser systems for marking applications.
