High-efficiency single-frequency Brillouin fiber laser with a tunable coupling coefficient

We theoretically analyze a high-efficiency single-frequency Brillouin all-fiber ring laser at 1.5 mm wavelength, taking pump depletion into account. The output pump and Stokes intensities are calculated as functions of the cavity coupling coefficient and of the input pump intensity. Lasing threshold and pump-to-Stokes conversion efficiency are predicted. Furthermore, we demonstrate good agreement between model results and measurements. Applications to the improvement of optoelectronic links for radio-frequency signals by use of stimulated Brillouin scattering fiber lasers are also presented. © 2004 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 060.2320, 060.4370, 140.3600, 290.5900.