Fused angle-polished multi-points side-pumping coupler for monolithic fiber lasers and amplifiers

We have developed theoretical model to investigate characters of fused angle-polished side-pumping coupler for monolithic fiber lasers and amplifiers. In the simulation the interplay of different couplers is considered. Five pumping fibers with different polished angles are employed in the experiment. The results showed that, the backward coupling efficiency, forward and backward pumping leakage are lower than 4%, 8% and 10% respectively, while the forward coupling efficiency is about 100%, with the polished angle suitable for commercial fibers. The experimental results agree well with the simulations. Furthermore, we fabricate a two-points co-propagating fused angle-polished side-pumping coupler, with the coupling efficiency of 94.1% and 87.9%. These couplers are quite suitable for multi-points side-pumping high power monolithic fiber lasers and amplifiers.