Stimulated Brillouin scattering thresholds for square pulses in polarizing fiber

Summary form only given. The stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) threshold gives an upper limit for the optical power that can be efficiently launched into an optical fiber. Recently, front-end lasers for large-scale laser systems were reported based on fiber optics using single-frequency square pulses propagating in polarizing fibers. Exceeding the SBS threshold could cause excess noise at low levels, and possibly damage to components at higher levels in the front end and/or following amplifier systems. While the general features of SBS are qualitatively well understood, the work reported treats SBS in polarizing fibers using square pump pulses at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Thresholds are given in terms of launched peak fluence and intensity. Results were compared with non-polarizing fibers.