Continuous-wave and passive Q-switching laser performance of Yb:YSGG crystal

We report, for the first time, on the passive Q-switching laser performance of Yb:YSGG disordered garnet crystal. An average output power of 2.6 W at 1025.8 nm was produced at a pulse repetition rate of 11 kHz with a slope efficiency of 47%; the resulting pulse energy, duration, and peak power were respectively 236 μJ, 3.6 ns and 65.6 kW. The laser performance in continuous-wave mode under 935-nm diode pumping was also investigated, with output coupling changed over a wide range from 0.5% to 60%.