Widely tunable single-frequency erbium-ytterbium phosphate glass laser

A tunable, single-frequency, diode-pumped miniature Er:Yb:glass laser of high power is described. The laser exhibits two intervals of continuous tuning, from 1549 to 1563 nm (Δλ=14 nm) and from 1531 to 1540 nm (Δλ=9 nm), respectively. For an input pump power of 140 mW, a single frequency output power of 20 mW at 1563 nm has been obtained. The tuning characteristics are found to be strictly related to the gain-loss balance of the laser cavity. © 1996 American Institute of Physics.