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Mode-locked Tm,Ho:YAP laser around 2.1 μm
K J Yang1, D C Heinecke, C Kölbl
1Department of Physics and Center of Applied Photonics, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany. k.j.yang@sdu.edu.cn
Optics Express
|February 8, 2013
Summary
A passively mode-locked Thulium, Holmium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (Tm,Ho:YAP) laser was developed, achieving stable continuous wave mode-locking at 2.1 μm. This laser produced short pulses, demonstrating its potential for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Thulium and Holmium-doped lasers are crucial for applications requiring emission in the 2-micron wavelength range.
- Passively mode-locked lasers offer advantages in generating ultrashort pulses for scientific and industrial uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a passively mode-locked Tm,Ho:YAP laser operating around 2.1 μm.
- To investigate the performance of this laser in terms of wavelength tunability, pulse duration, and output power.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Tm,Ho:YAP crystal as the gain medium.
- Employed a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) for passive mode-locking.
- Investigated stable continuous wave (CW) mode-locking operation.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable CW mode-locking at multiple wavelengths: 2036.5 nm, 2064.5 nm, 2095.5 nm, 2103.5 nm, and 2130 nm.
- Obtained pulse durations as short as 40.4 picoseconds (ps) at 2064.5 nm.
- Recorded a maximum output power of 238 milliwatts (mW) at 2130 nm with a pulse duration of 66 ps.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated Tm,Ho:YAP laser is a viable source for generating tunable, ultrashort pulses around 2.1 μm.
- The use of SESAMs enables stable mode-locking, paving the way for advanced laser applications in this spectral region.
