Investigation of high-power diode-end-pumped Tm:YLF laser in slab geometry

Comparative investigations of high-power diode-end-pumped Tm:YLF laser with a-cut and c-cut slab crystals were demonstrated. A maximum output power of 87.5 W of 1907.8 nm Tm:YLF laser with two slab crystals was achieved, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 35.9% and an optical-to-optical efficiency of 32.1% with respect to the pump power. The c-cut slab Tm:YLF laser operated at 1907.8 nm with a beam quality factor of M²∼1.79 at the output power level of 71.0 W.