An unidirectional short-wave infrared fiber laser, comprising a theta cavity, with a gain unit based on rare-earth cations-doped fiber, the theta cavity having a ring cavity with two additional 2 input ports×2 output ports directional couplers DC1 and DC2 inserted therein, one port of the directional coupler DC1 connected to another port of the directional coupler DC2, forming an S-shaped feedback; a band-pass filter to select at a laser wavelength by filtering through transmission inside the theta cavity, the band-pass filter is one of the list comprising a grating-based filter, a Fabry-Perot etalon, and a phase shifted fiber-Bragg grating; and a reflective fiber Bragg grating (FBG) to select the laser wavelength by filtering through reflection inside the theta cavity, the Bragg grating is a notch filter, and the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is attached to an unused port of the directional coupler DC1 or DC2.