Bismuth-doped fibre laser continuously tunable within the range from 1.36 to 1.51 μm

A single-mode bismuth-doped fibre laser continuously tunable within the wavelength range from 1366 to 1507 nm with the help of an external diffraction grating has been developed. Such a wide wavelength tuning range is achieved by inserting a long-period fibre grating in the laser cavity. The grating smoothes the gain spectrum and thus ensures stable lasing at the edges of the abovementioned spectral range. The output laser power varies from 25 mW at the tuning range edges to 50 mW in the centre upon pumping at 1.34 μm with a power of 300 mW.