High-power Operation of a Yb Fiber Laser at 1018 nm

High-power continuous-wave operation of a Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser at 1018 nm, pumped by high-power diode lasers at 976 nm, is reported. Based on numerical calculation of the gain and laser signal power along the length of the Yb fiber, it is found that robust operation at 1018 nm can be achieved for a high Yb3+-ion excitation density greater than 11.5%, accompanied by high suppression of the feedback from the fiber's end facet. The Yb fiber laser constructed in house yields 626 W of continuous-wave output at 1018 nm for 729 W of incident pump power, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 86.6%. The prospect for power scaling is considered.