Continuous-wave and SESAM mode-locked operation of the Yb:Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ laser

We demonstrate a comprehensive characterization of the diode-pumped Yb:Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ laser operating in the continuous-wave and soliton mode-locked regimes. Pumping with a 650 mW, single-transverse mode, fiber-coupled laser diode, a maximum continuous-wave output power amounted to 213 mW with a slope efficiency up to 57.6%. A broadband wavelength tuning range of more than 70 nm was achieved in CW regime with a fused silica prism. Applying a SESAM as mode locker, nearly transform-limited pulses as short as 113 fs were generated for a maximum average power of 53 mW and a pulse repetition rate of ∼106 MHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on passively mode-locked operation with the Yb:Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ crystal.