Narrow linewidth high output-coupling dual VBG-locked Yb-doped fiber laser

Two equal highly reflective volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) were used to lock an Yb-doped fiber laser. By heating one of the VBGs, its center wavelength was shifted and the laser was locked on the overlap between the main peak of one grating and the side-lobe of the other creating a large outcoupling with high spectral selectivity. With this simple arrangement, unidirectional output is achieved with a narrow linewidth (70%) and with an output power above 7 W.