Mode-locked all-solid-state diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Solid-State Lasers
• Optoelectronics

Background:

• Mode-locked lasers are crucial for generating ultrashort optical pulses.
• Diode-pumping offers an efficient and compact alternative to traditional laser pumping methods.
• Chromium-doped lasers, such as Cr:LiSAF, are known for their tunable and broad emission properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the first diode-pumped mode-locked Chromium-doped Lithium Safire laser (Cr:LiSAF).
• To investigate the feasibility of both active and passive mode-locking techniques in this laser system.
• To characterize the output pulse properties, specifically the generation of picosecond pulses.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-pumped laser architecture.
• Implemented active mode-locking using an acousto-optic modulator.
• Employed resonant passive mode-locking with a multiple-quantum-well absorber in an external cavity.
• Generated continuous-wave (cw) pulse trains.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a diode-pumped mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser for the first time.
• Achieved continuous-wave trains of picosecond pulses using both active and passive mode-locking methods.
• Confirmed the viability of diode-pumping for mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser operation.

Conclusions:

• Diode-pumped mode-locked Cr:LiSAF lasers are feasible and represent a novel development.
• Both active and passive mode-locking are effective techniques for generating picosecond pulses from this laser system.
• This work opens avenues for compact and efficient sources of ultrashort laser pulses.