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60-W average power in 810-fs pulses from a thin-disk Yb:YAG laser
E Innerhofer1, T Südmeyer, F Brunner
1Physics Department/Institute of Quantum Electronics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), ETH Zürich Hönggerberg-HPT, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland. innerhofer@phys.ethz.ch
Optics Letters
|March 28, 2003
Summary
We developed a high-power Ytterbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Yb:YAG) thin-disk laser. This laser generates ultrashort pulses with excellent beam quality, reaching 60 W average output power without amplification.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Materials Science
- Photonics
Background:
- Diode-pumped Yb:YAG lasers are crucial for various applications.
- Achieving high average power with ultrashort pulses remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a passively mode-locked Yb:YAG thin-disk laser.
- To achieve high average output power and ultrashort pulse durations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a diode-pumped Yb:YAG thin-disk laser architecture.
- Employed passive mode-locking techniques.
Main Results:
- Generated 810-fs pulses at 1030 nm.
- Achieved 60 W of average output power without an amplifier.
- Obtained a pulse energy of 1.75 µJ and a peak power of 1.9 MW.
- Demonstrated near-diffraction-limited beam quality (M² < 1.1).
Conclusions:
- The developed laser is a powerful source for applications requiring high average power and ultrashort pulses.
- The thin-disk Yb:YAG laser design offers a scalable path towards even higher power levels.
- The excellent beam quality is advantageous for nonlinear optics and material processing.