Fiber lasers: High-power devices in compact packages

Fiber lasers, which can deliver large amounts of energy to a target in a very precise but flexible way, are discussed. Fiber lasers use guided-mode propagation to create extremely robust laser structures with resonator lengths that can reach hundreds of meters. Fiber lasers can operate at a multitude of wavelengths, and the availability of different pump wavelengths can be exploited. The laser cavity of fiber lasers is extremely simple and robust, which leads to exceptional reliability and minimum maintenance and ownership cost.