Novel grating couplers for diode-bars multi-point side-pumping double-clad fiber

Three grating couplers for diode-bars single-point and multi-point side-pumping double-clad fiber (DCF) are presented. The principles, characteristics and coupling efficiencies of these grating couplers are described and computed by a rigorous electromagnetic theory. We show computationally that the optimized gratings can couple the high-power TE- or TM-polarized pump lights with 94.7% and 79.7% into the DCF, respectively. For an un-polarized pump light, 72.4% efficiency can be reached. We also have analyzed the leakage of pump powers for diode-bars multi-point side-pumping DCF. Besides, the fabrication tolerances and other performances of the grating couplers are analyzed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.