16.9 W average power from a diode-pumped picosecond Yb:YAG laser with a large-size rectangular core crystalline...

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• High-power picosecond lasers are crucial for various scientific and industrial applications.
• Conventional laser designs face limitations in power scaling and beam quality.
• Crystalline waveguides offer potential for enhanced laser performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a high-power all-solid-state picosecond laser.
• To investigate the performance of a large-size rectangular core crystalline waveguide in a passively mode-locked laser.
• To achieve significant average output power with ultrashort pulse durations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a passive mode-locking technique.
• Employed a large-size rectangular core crystalline waveguide.
• Incorporated a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror for mode-locking.
• Configured an all-solid-state laser system.

Main Results:

• Achieved an average output power of 16.9 W.
• Generated ultrashort pulses with a duration of 1.96 picoseconds (ps).
• Operated at a repetition frequency of 31.74 MHz.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first demonstration of a mode-locked laser utilizing a large-size rectangular core crystalline waveguide.
• The developed laser system offers a promising platform for high-power, ultrashort pulse generation.
• The results highlight the potential of crystalline waveguides for advancing high-power picosecond laser technology.