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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
Efficient femtosecond high power Yb:Lu(2)O(3) thin disk laser.
Optics Express
|June 25, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed the first passively mode-locked thin disk laser using Ytterbium-doped Lutetium Oxide (Yb:Lu2O3). This laser achieves high average power and short pulse durations, setting new efficiency records for mode-locked thin disk lasers.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics
- Materials science
Background:
- Thin disk lasers are crucial for high-power applications.
- Mode-locking is essential for generating ultrashort laser pulses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first passively mode-locked thin disk laser utilizing Yb:Lu2O3.
- To characterize the laser's performance in terms of pulse duration, average power, and beam quality.
Main Methods:
- Passive mode-locking of a thin disk laser resonator.
- Utilizing Yb:Lu2O3 as the gain medium.
- Characterization of output pulses using an autocorrelator and spectrometer.
Main Results:
- Generation of 370-fs pulses with 20.5 W average power in a diffraction-limited beam (M² < 1.1).
- Nearly transform-limited pulses with a spectral bandwidth of 3.4 nm centered at 1034 nm.
- Achieved 24 W average power with 523 fs pulses at 56 W pump power, yielding a 43% optical-to-optical efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Yb:Lu2O3 is a promising material for high-performance mode-locked thin disk lasers.
- The demonstrated laser surpasses previous mode-locked thin disk laser efficiencies.
- This work opens avenues for advanced laser applications requiring high power and ultrashort pulses.
