High-power, 980-nm, single-mode laser diodes

Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers pumped by single-mode laser diodes emitting at 980 nm result in lower noise, broader bandwidth, and higher efficiency than 1.48-µm pumped fiber amplifiers. In this paper we demonstrate single transverse and longitudinal mode operation from an InGaAs/AlGaAs laser diode operating at 980 nm suitable for pumping erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. The maximum cw output of the laser is greater than 300 mW.