227-fs pulses from a mode-locked Yb:LuScO3 thin disk laser

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics

Background:

• Thin disk lasers are crucial for high-power ultrashort pulse generation.
• Yb-doped sesquioxides offer broad emission bandwidths for ultrafast applications.
• Developing new gain materials is key to advancing laser performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the first mode-locked thin disk laser utilizing Yb:LuScO3.
• To investigate the potential of Yb:LuScO3 as a gain medium for ultrafast lasers.
• To characterize the performance of the Yb:LuScO3 thin disk laser.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a thin disk laser gain medium using Yb:LuScO3.
• Implementation of a mode-locking technique.
• Characterization of output power, pulse duration, and spectral properties.

Main Results:

• Successful operation of a mode-locked thin disk laser based on Yb:LuScO3.
• Achieved an average output power of 7.2 W.
• Generated ultrashort pulses with a duration of 227 femtoseconds, the shortest reported for this laser type.
• Observed a gain bandwidth exceeding 20 nm due to the combined emission peaks of the sesquioxide material.

Conclusions:

• Yb:LuScO3 is a promising gain material for ultrafast thin disk lasers.
• The demonstrated laser achieves state-of-the-art pulse durations.
• Further optimization is possible by addressing material growth defects to increase output power.