The rapid developments in optical and electronic technologies have accelerated developments of solid state laser technology. The diode-pumped solid state laser has the merits of the diode laser, such as compactness, low cost, and the merits of the solid state laser, such as high laser quality, high conversion efficiency, long lifetime, and simple structure. There use in laser applications is very cost-effective in terms of material consumption, which is typically one-thousandth that of bulk material. In addition, heat dissipation in the gain medium can be significantly alleviated because highly heat-conductive material can be applied to the circumference of the crystal fiber. So, it was applicated in electronics, communication and medicine widely. The laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method is now a well-established technique for the growth of single-crystal fibers. It is crucible free and can therefore produce high-purity, low-defect-density single crystals. Interface loss is one of the dominant factors that reduce the efficiency of crystal fiber lasers, although cladding with a dielectric coating or in-diffusion of the gain core has been utilized to suppress this interface loss. Using a gradient-index Nd:YAG crystal fiber with peak Nd concentration up to 1.6-atm.%, we recently demonstrated a laser power of 145 mW and slope efficiency 28.9%. Peak Nd concentration up to 3.6-atm.% Nd:YAG crystal fiber with a 20-um core was grown, which could eliminate the interface loss and enhance the efficiency of crystal fiber lasers to be compatible with bulk solid-state lasers.

Abstract During the last decade, the fast-growing communication need has promoted the development of the wavelength of 1.3 mm~1.6 mm laser light source. The Cr4+ doped YAG solid-state laser has potential to meet this super wideband demand. In addition, solid state laser has the merits of high laser beam quality, long lifetime, compact, and simple structure. In this thesis, crystal fiber was used as the laser gain medium, and coated with optical thin film at its end facets as the laser cavity. Using this configuration, the volume and cost of the laser can be appreciatively reduced, and the heat dissipation can be improved. The laser-heated-pedestal-growth method was used to grow crystal fiber, which can obtain small diameter at very fast rate and accurate control. High quality Cr4+:YAG crystal fiber with the smallest diameter of 50 mm was grown. A glass-packaged technique clothes the crystal fiber with a core diameter as small as 11 mm. Outside the glass clad Cr4+:YAG crystal fiber, Al-Cu alloy was employed as the heat sink to improve heat dissipation. After grinding, polishing, and coating of this device, the Cr4+:YAG crystal fiber laser was fabricated. Some characteristics of Cr4+:YAG crystal fiber, such as the distribution of Cr2O3 and CaO doping concentration, fluorescence intensity, refraction index, propagation loss, and absorption coefficient were measured and analyzed. In the meanwhile, some simulations of the laser output power depending on the absorption coefficient, propagation loss, output coupling, crystal fiber diameter, and crystal boundary temperature were discussed.