Kerr-lens mode-locked thin-disk oscillator with 50% output coupling rate

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Optics and Photonics

Background:

• Mode-locked thin-disk oscillators are key for high-power laser generation.
• Current power scaling methods have limitations, especially for low-emission cross-section gain media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply a multi-pass gain approach to Kerr-lens mode-locked thin-disk oscillators for the first time.
• To investigate the feasibility of increasing output coupling rates and overall power.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a multi-pass configuration within a Kerr-lens mode-locked thin-disk oscillator setup.
• Systematically varied output coupling rates to assess performance limits.

Main Results:

• Achieved mode-locked operation with up to 50% output coupling, demonstrating significant additional gain.
• Observed increased self-amplitude modulation due to an enhanced soft-aperture Kerr-lens effect.

Conclusions:

• The multi-pass gain approach is a viable strategy for power scaling Kerr-lens mode-locked thin-disk oscillators.
• This method is particularly beneficial for gain media with low-emission cross sections.
• The findings pave the way for developing even higher-power thin-disk oscillators.