Multi-mode pumped ase source using phosphate and tellurite glasses

A compact, high-power, low-cost broadband ASE source is achieved by multi-mode pumping a highly doped multi-component glass fiber in standard ASE source configurations. The multi-mode pump is coupled into and propagates in the fiber cladding exciting the rare-earth dopant ions (Er,Yb) in the fiber core. The multi-component glass includes a network former selected from either phosphate (P2O5) or tellurite (TeO2) and is doped with at least 0.25 weight percent rare-earth dopants. The high concentrations of dopants supported by these glasses absorbs the multi-mode pump in a short length, less than 100 cm, and provides high saturated output powers.