In this paper, the development of a high-power continuous wave (CW) fiber laser near 980 nm is reviewed. This review is focused primary on the power evolution resulting from the designation of Yb-doped fibers, which is important in the suppression of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) around 1030 nm. Current studies on the in-band ASE as the power limitation of the Yb-doped fiber lasers near 980 nm are also summarized in this review.
