Efficient second-harmonic generation of continuous-wave Yb fiber lasers coupled with an external resonant cavity

Abstract

Efficient second-harmonic generation of continuous-wave Yb fiber lasers is reported. A simple bow-tie external resonant cavity incorporating a type I LBO nonlinear optical crystal was employed for second harmonic frequency conversion of a multi-longitudinal-mode Yb fiber laser. It is shown that strong coupling was formed between the Yb fiber laser and the external cavity and, as a result, the laser produced 9.1 W of green output at 535 nm for 43 W of absorbed diode pump power at 975 nm corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 21 % with respect to absorbed diode pump power. The prospects for further improvement are discussed.