High-power and high-efficiency distributed feedback (DFB) lasers operating in the 1.4-1.6 μm range for eye-safe applications

Incorporating monolithic distributed feedback (DFB) gratings into broad-area (BA) diode lasers results in ten times narrower spectral width and four-to-five times lower thermal shift in emission wavelength. We report on our progress to obtaining a high-power, high-efficiency DFB diode pump in the 1.4-1.6 μm wavelength range for use in industrial and military, eye-safe applications. Results for Fabry-Perot diode lasers emitting at 1530 nm are also discussed. We report on an index-guided, single-emitter design (0.15 x 0.01 cm2) capable of producing 2.5 W of continuous-wave output power at room-temperature with a peak power conversion efficiency of 50%.