Efficient OPSL-pumped mode-locked Yb:Lu2O3 laser with 67% optical-to-optical efficiency

Area of Science:

• Lasers and Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Yb:Lu2O3 ceramics are promising gain media for high-power lasers.
• Optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSLs) offer high brightness and efficiency.
• Semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs) are effective for initiating and stabilizing mode-locking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a mode-locked Yb:Lu2O3 laser with high optical-to-optical efficiency.
• To investigate the performance of Yb:Lu2O3 lasers pumped by an OPSL.
• To achieve ultrashort pulse generation from the Yb:Lu2O3 laser system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a high-brightness OPSL as the pump source for a Yb:Lu2O3 laser.
• Employed a SESAM for self-starting mode-locking.
• Configured the laser cavity to achieve different pulse durations and output powers.

Main Results:

• Achieved up to 67% optical-to-optical efficiency in mode-locked operation with 571 fs pulses at 4.73 W.
• Reduced pulse duration to 313 fs at 2.16 W in a different cavity configuration.
• Obtained 78% optical-to-optical efficiency in continuous wave (CW) operation with >5 W output power.
• Observed pulse durations longer than the Fourier limit, indicating potential for further pulse compression.

Conclusions:

• The Yb:Lu2O3 laser pumped by an OPSL is a highly efficient system for generating ultrashort pulses.
• The use of SESAM facilitates self-starting mode-locking and stable operation.
• The laser system shows potential for further optimization to achieve shorter pulse durations.