1kW fiber-coupled pump-module at 976nm with 50% efficiency.

We present a fiber-coupled pump-module emitting more than 1kW of mode-stripped power at 976nm from a detachable 225µm, 0.22NA fiber. The electrical-to-optical efficiency at 1kW is ~50%. Six of these pump modules attached to a (6 + 1):1 multimode combiner enable a 5-6kW, single-mode, Yb-doped fiber amplifier.

Chronic meningitis due to herpes simplex virus in an immunocompetent host.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) typically causes mucocutaneous disease, encephalitis, and acute men ingitis. There have been no previous reports of chronic meningitis due to this virus. A case of chronic meningitis due to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in a previously healthy 35-year-old woman whose predominant symptoms were headache and meningism without fever is described. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated protein, and hypoglycorrhachia. The diagnosis of herpes simplex meningitis was supported by the detection of HSV-2 DNA in CSF by polymerase chain reaction and by intrathecal production of HSV-specific antibody. The patient recovered after treatment with intravenous acyclovir and glucocorticoids.