High coupling efficiency and low signal light loss (2 + 1) × 1 coupler

The coupling efficiency of the pump coupler determines the pump light injection capacity of a laser system. Experimental analysis of the influences of different factors on the pump coupling efficiency is in accordance with this conclusion. We use two Nufern fibers (400 μm/440 μm with NA = 0.22) as pump arm, one Nufern fiber (20 μm/400 μm with NA = 0.06/0.46) as a main fiber to make a side-pumping (2+1)× 1 coupler. The experimental result shows that the total output power of this (2+1)× 1 coupler is about 1160 W, corresponding to a coupling efficiency as high as 98.6%. The loss of signal light is less than 1%. (paper)