Thermo-optical properties of air-clad photonic crystal fiber lasers in high power operation

We report on the investigation of the thermo-optical behavior of air-clad ytterbium-doped large-mode-area photonic crystal fiber lasers. Analytical and numerical models are applied to calculate the heat distribution and induced stresses in a microstructured fiber. The results are compared to conventional double-clad fiber lasers and design guidelines are provided to ensure maximum heat dissipation and scalability to power levels of several kWs. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.