Single- and dual-wavelength switchable linear polarized Yb(3+)-doped double-clad fiber laser.

A single- and dual-wavelength switchable linear polarized Yb-doped double-clad fiber laser is proposed, in which the resonance cavity was composed of a fiber Bragg grating fabricated in a polarization-maintaining fiber and a dichromatic mirror with high reflectivity. The polarization hole burning is enhanced through selective polarization feedback by the polarization-maintaining fiber Bragg grating. The switchover of single and dual wavelengths is realized by tuning the rotation angle of a cubic polarization beam splitter that is inserted between the dichromatic mirror and the collimator in the cavity. The laser features wavelengths of 1070.08 and 1070.39 nm, output power of 1.0 W, signal to noise ratio of 45 dB, and slope efficiency of 34%, as well as a very narrow linewidth of 0.022 nm. The polarization characteristics are analyzed by measuring the laser power transmitted through a Glan-Thomson polarizer during rotation.