Efficient neodymium-doped glass-ceramic fiber laser and amplifier

We report an efficient glass-ceramic fiber laser and show that its slope efficiency (similar to 30%) is not compromised by the presence of Nd-doped fluoride crystals embedded within the core of the single-mode optical fiber. In contrast, the spectroscopy (fluorescence and gain spectrum) of the Nd3+ ions is dramatically changed by the ceramming process, an indication of strong partitioning of the rare-earth ions into the CdF2:PbF2:YF3 crystal environment. The enormous potential for a new range of optical devices based on transparent glass-ceramic materials is highlighted. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.