Ytterbium-doped large-core fiber laser with 1.36 kW continuous-wave output power

We have demonstrated a highly-efficient cladding-pumped ytterbium-doped fiber laser generating 1.36 kW of continuous-wave output power at 1.1 mum with 83% slope efficiency and near diffraction-limited beam quality. The laser was end-pumped through both fiber ends and showed no evidence of roll-over even at the highest output power, which was limited only by available pump power. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.