Frequency-doubling of an optical vortex output from a stressed Yb-doped fiber amplifier

The frequency-doubling of a picosecond vortex fiber laser, formed of a 1-μm picosecond master laser and a large-mode-area fiber amplifier by using a nonlinear LiB3O5, crystal, was performed. A maximum second-harmonic power of 7.7 W was achieved, corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 31 %. The second harmonic had an annular spatial form owing to a phase singularity with a doubled topological charge, and its wavefront helicity was selectively controlled by tuning the stress applied to the fiber amplifier.