Multi-wavelength pump method for improving performance of erbium-based lasers

411/2 413/2 A method for increasing the efficiency of generating lasers by pumping two separate wavelengths into an erbium-based medium to populate the Istate and depopulate the Istate. A first excitation wavelength region is located between approximately 955 nm to approximately 1100 nm. The second excitation wavelength region is located between approximately 1600 nm to approximately 1850 nm. This multi-wavelength pumping scheme may be operated in continuous wave or quasi-continuous wave mode.