Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
10:17
20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
12.0K
Microchip Yb:CaLnAlO4 lasers with up to 91% slope efficiency
Optics Letters
|September 29, 2017
Summary
High-power, continuous-wave (CW) Yb:CaLnAlO4 lasers achieved near quantum-defect-limited efficiency. These Ytterbium-doped calcium rare-earth aluminate lasers demonstrate watt-level output with excellent beam quality.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Lasers
Background:
- Ytterbium-doped calcium rare-earth aluminates (Yb:CaLnAlO4) are promising laser gain materials.
- Microchip lasers offer compact and efficient laser designs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate multi-watt continuous-wave (CW) operation of Yb:CaLnAlO4 crystals in microchip lasers.
- To investigate the laser performance and spectroscopic properties of Yb:CaGdAlO4 and Yb:CaYAlO4.
Main Methods:
- Utilized InGaAs laser diode pumping at 978 nm.
- Fabricated and tested plano-plano microchip lasers using Yb:CaGdAlO4 and Yb:CaYAlO4 crystals.
- Modeled laser output performance to determine internal loss coefficients.
Main Results:
- Achieved 7.79 W CW output from an 8 at.% Yb:CaGdAlO4 laser with 84% slope efficiency.
- Obtained 5.06 W CW output from a 3 at.% Yb:CaYAlO4 laser with 91% slope efficiency.
- Produced linearly polarized, near diffraction-limited beams with low internal losses (0.004–0.007 cm⁻¹).
Conclusions:
- Yb:CaLnAlO4 crystals are highly efficient gain media for high-power CW microchip lasers.
- The demonstrated performance highlights the potential for these lasers in various applications requiring high-power, good beam quality.
