Phys.org  October 9, 2024 Side-pumping fibre combiners offer several advantages in fibre laser design, including distributed pump absorption, reduced heat load, and improved flexibility and reliability. However, conventional fabrication methods face limitations due to significant differences in the thermal properties of pump-delivering silica fibres and signal-guiding fluoride-based fibres. Researchers in Germany addressed these challenges by introducing a design for a fuse-less side-polished (D-shaped) fibre-based pump combiner comprising multimode silica and double-clad fluoride-based fibres. The results demonstrated stable coupling efficiency over 8 hours of continuous operation under active thermal control. The pump combiner integrated into a linear Er-doped fibre laser cavity […]