The impact of femtosecond fiber lasers in technology and science

We present a first-hand view of the early origins of femtosecond fiber technology built upon the foundations of ultrafast optics established in the sixties, seventies, and eighties. We discuss what considerations led to the establishment of early femtosecond oscillator designs and how they have been improved over the years. Another aspect of this article deals with the road to ever increasing pulse energies and average powers that can be achieved based on various amplification techniques. We go on to review the journey toward achieving greater precision enabled via the invention of frequency combs and the incorporation of frequency comb technology within the realm of fiber optics. The paper concludes with a brief overview of some of the most important fiber laser applications and provides a preview of what may lie ahead in the future.