光纖雷射具有諸多優點,特別是在高功率輸出時仍可保持高效率、接近繞射極限之光束品質等優點,因此被美譽為21世紀的雷射系統。高功率單模態光纖雷射已進入千瓦功率等級(~kW)之里程碑,未來將繼續保持高度成長,朝10kW之輸出功率邁進。本文將介紹高功率光纖雷射發展沿革、相關技術之發展,整理光纖雷射發展高功率輸出時所遭遇的挑戰及解決之道。
Fiber lasers are unique optical sources that offer a variety of advantages, especially for high efficiency and excellent beam quality at high power operation. Therefore, fiber lasers are often called the lasers of the 21(superscript st) century. High power fiber lasers are entering the realm of kilowatt continuous-wave powers with diffraction limited beam quality. In this article, we review the progress of fiber laser development in terms of technology breakthrough and challenges. Potential approaches to move the fiber laser technology forward will also be discussed. It is expected that 10 kW will be obtained in the near future.