Q-switching of Yb3+-doped fiber laser using a novel micro-optical waveguide on microactuating platform light modulator.

We report a novel micro-optical waveguide (MOW) on microactuating platform (MAP) light modulator for Q-switched all-fiber laser applications. The light modulator employs a fused biconical taper (FBT) coupler, which acts as MOW, mounted on an electromechanical system, MAP, where an axial stress over the waist of FBT coupler is precisely controlled to result in modulation of output power. The modulator was implemented in a clad pumped Yb3+-doped fiber laser cavity as a Qswitching element.