Quantum key distribution implemented with d-level time-bin entangled photons.

High-dimensional photon states (qudits) are pivotal to enhance the information capacity, noise robustness, and data rates of quantum communications. Time-bin entangled qudits are promising candidates for implementing high-dimensional quantum communications over optical fiber networks with processing rates approaching those of classical telecommunications. However, their use is hindered by phase instability, timing inaccuracy, and low scalability of interferometric schemes needed for time-bin processing.

100 W, tunable in-band thulium fiber amplifier pumped by incoherently combined 1.9 µm fiber lasers.

We detail the design and performance of a high efficiency in-band pumped thulium fiber amplifier operating at the 100 W level. Using a novel pumping architecture based on three incoherently combined thulium fiber oscillators at 1904 nm and a seed laser tunable from 1970-1990 nm, efficient amplification is demonstrated in a high dopant concentration 25/65/250 µm thulium fiber. Here we use the 65 µm pedestal surrounding the core as a pump cladding to increase the cladding to core overlap and improve the overall pump absorption.

Wavelength-stabilized tunable mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser beyond 2 µm.

We report the development of a widely tunable mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser based on a robust chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG). By applying mechanical tension and compression to the CFBG, an overall tunability of 20.1 nm, spanning from 2022.

Dispersion tailoring of femtosecond laser written chirped fiber Bragg gratings by selective femtosecond laser post-processing.

We present the tuning of the dispersion properties of a femtosecond (fs) laser inscribed chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG), realized by selectively modifying the refractive index of the already inscribed CFBG by fs laser post-processing. This Letter demonstrates for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a flexible approach for tailoring higher-order dispersion terms of a fs inscribed CFBG via fs post-processing of selected grating regions, thus paving the way, e.g.

Extremely robust femtosecond written fiber Bragg gratings for an ytterbium-doped fiber oscillator with 5 kW output power.

We present highly robust fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in passive large-mode-area fibers for kilowatt fiber laser systems. The gratings were inscribed directly through the fiber coating using near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses and then implemented in an all-fiber ytterbium-doped single-mode oscillator setup reaching up to 5 kW signal output power. The untreated cooled FBGs showed thermal coefficients as low as ${1}\;{\rm K}\;{{\rm kW}^{ - 1}}$1KkW, proving excellent qualification for the implementation into robust high-power fiber laser setups.

Efficient long period fiber gratings inscribed with femtosecond pulses and an amplitude mask.

We present efficient long period fiber gratings written with femtosecond laser pulses at 800 nm and an amplitude mask, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time. The measured transmission spectra depict strong resonances, while the total grating length and polarization-dependent loss could be significantly reduced compared to previous results. Two gratings are exemplarily shown-one in a standard single mode, and one in a large-mode-area fiber revealing a predictable spectrum without intermediate peaks due to the suppression of coupling to asymmetric higher-order cladding modes.

Control of higher-order cladding mode excitation with tailored femtosecond-written long period fiber gratings.

We report on the detailed investigation of the core to cladding mode coupling in femtosecond-written long period fiber gratings (LPFG). It is shown that the excitation of higher-order cladding modes with strong selectivity and high precision is possible. The coupling behavior of several gratings, as well as its dependence on the modified core cross-section, is determined theoretically and confirmed experimentally by its spectral response.

Femtosecond written fiber Bragg gratings in ytterbium-doped fibers for fiber lasers in the kilowatt regime.

We investigate the high-power durability of fiber Bragg gratings written directly into an ytterbium-doped large mode area fiber using ultrashort laser pulses. The gratings were successfully integrated as a high reflector into an oscillator setup reaching up to 1.9 kW signal output power with an efficiency of 87%.

Realization of aperiodic fiber Bragg gratings with ultrashort laser pulses and the line-by-line technique.

We demonstrate the fabrication of aperiodic fiber Bragg gratings (AFBGs) for their application as filter elements. Direct inscription was performed by focusing ultrashort laser pulses with an oil-immersion objective into the fiber core and utilizing the line-by-line technique for flexible period adaptation. The AFBGs inscribed allow for the suppression of 10 lines in a single grating and are in excellent agreement with simulations based on the specific design.

Flexible femtosecond inscription of fiber Bragg gratings by an optimized deformable mirror.

The period of fiber Bragg gratings is adapted by shaping the wavefronts of ultrashort laser pulses applied in a phase mask inscription technique. A specially designed deformable mirror, based on a dielectric substrate to withstand high peak powers, is utilized to deform the wavefront. A shift of about 11 nm is demonstrated for a Bragg wavelength around 1550 nm.

Minimizing residual spectral drift in laser diode bars using femtosecond-written volume Bragg gratings in fused silica.

Ultrashort laser pulses are used to inscribe volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) into fused silica. These VBGs demonstrate excellent performance for the external stabilization of laser diode bars. The stabilized system emits at a wavelength of 969 nm with a signal width (FWHM) of 100 pm and shows a spectral drift as low as 24 pm for a change in output power of 45 W for a grating surface area of 10  mm.

Variable wavefront tuning with a SLM for tailored femtosecond fiber Bragg grating inscription.

We report on the inscription of fiber Bragg gratings using femtosecond laser pulses and the phase-mask technique. The wavefront of the inscription laser is variably tuned with a spatial light modulator (SLM). By applying Fresnel lenses with different focal lengths, the period of the fiber Bragg gratings could be shifted.