Continuous-wave and passively Q-switched pulsed 1.5 µm Er:Yb:Ba₃Gd(PO₄)₃ lasers

An eye-safe 1567 nm continuous-wave laser with a maximum output power of 50 mW and a slope efficiency of 21.1% was demonstrated in an Er:Yb:Ba₃Gd(PO₄)₃ crystal. By using a Co²⁺:MgAl₂O₄ crystal with an initial transmission of 95% as a saturable absorber, a stable passively Q-switched pulsed laser was also realized in the crystal. The effects of the output coupler transmission and cavity length on pulsed performance were investigated. At an absorbed pump power of 350 mW, a 1541 nm Er:Yb:Ba₃Gd(PO₄)₃ pulsed laser with a repetition frequency of 0.86 kHz, duration of 38 ns, energy of 21.2 µJ, and peak output power of 0.56 kW was obtained.