Laser oscillation of Yb:KLu(WO4)2 crystal polarized along the N(g) principal optical axis

Efficient polarized laser oscillation along the N(g) principal optical axis is demonstrated at room temperature with a N(p)-cut Yb:KLu(WO4)2 crystal in a three-mirror folded resonator pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser at 981 nm. To our knowledge, this is the first laser study of this polarization for bulk crystals of this type. A continuous-wave output power of 0.55 W was obtained at 1044 nm for an absorbed pump power of 1.44 W, leading to optical-to-optical and slope efficiencies of 38% and 52%, respectively.