High power ytterbium: erbium (Yb: Er) fiber laser system with 1.02-1.06 [mu] m cladding pumping scheme

A high power ytterbium: erbium (Yb: Er) fiber laser system is configured with a double clad fiber having a core doped with ions of erbium (Er + 3) and ytterbium (Yb + 3). And at least two spaced high and low reflectors located on the side of the core and defining a resonant cavity therebetween. The fiber laser also includes a pump laser that outputs light having a wavelength in the range of 1.02-1.06 [mu] m and is coupled into the Yb: Er doped double clad fiber. An optical fiber amplifier includes: a double-clad optical fiber whose core is doped with ions of erbium (Er + 3) and ytterbium (Yb + 3); and a pump laser that generates radiation at a pump wavelength in the wavelength range of 1.02-1.06 [mu] m; a pump laser outputs light in a wavelength range of 1.02 to 1.06 [mu] m and the light is coupled into a Yb: Er doped double clad fiber. The disclosed fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers have laser thresholds in the 1 [mu] m wavelength range much higher than those of the known principles operating at the 9xx nm p