ABSTRACT
Fiber lasers operating at ∼2 µm are very important for a wide range of applications. Their eyesafe nature makes them useful for remote sensing, such as light detection and ranging (LIDAR) for environmental monitoring of gaseous compounds, water vapor, and wind. This is especially true for wavelengths between 2.1 and 2.2 µm, where an excellent atmospheric transmission window exists. These lasers can also be used as high-power pumps for mid-infrared sources such as parametric lasers and ampliers. The strong water absorption peak at 1.94 µm makes them ideal for surgical applications where optical energy is absorbed efciently for cutting and cauterizing. They are used in cartilage repair, prostrate ablation, destruction of kidney/bladder stones, dentistry, and ophthalmology.
