Tunable Continuous-Wave Yb:YLF Laser Operation with a Diode-Pumped Chirped-Pulse Amplification System

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Solid-State Lasers
• Materials Science

Background:

• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Ytterbium-doped materials offer potential for efficient laser operation.
• Lithium yttrium fluoride (YLF) is a promising host crystal for rare-earth doping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a diode-pumped Yb:LiYF(4) (Yb:YLF) laser oscillator for the first time.
• To characterize the laser performance, including tuning range and slope efficiency.
• To investigate the spectroscopic properties of Yb:YLF for laser gain analysis.

Main Methods:

• Diode-pumping of a Yb:YLF crystal.
• Measurement of laser output power and wavelength tuning.
• Spectroscopic analysis of Yb:YLF emission and absorption at low temperatures (8 K).

Main Results:

• First demonstration of a diode-pumped Yb:YLF laser oscillator.
• Achieved a wide tuning range of 25 nm.
• Obtained a high slope efficiency of 50% at a pump intensity of 100 kW/cm(2).
• Identified a broad laser gain width of 38 nm at 8 K.
• Yb:YLF exhibited characteristics of a four-level laser system with low saturation fluence (11 J/cm(2)).

Conclusions:

• The diode-pumped Yb:YLF laser oscillator is a novel and efficient laser source.
• The broad gain bandwidth and four-level system characteristics indicate high potential for tunable and high-power laser applications.
• Yb:YLF is a promising material for developing advanced solid-state laser systems.