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Kerr-lens mode-locked 49-fs Tm3+:YScO3 single-crystal laser at 2.1 µm.
Optics Letters
|August 15, 2023
Summary
This study presents a thulium-doped yttrium scandate (Tm³⁺:YScO₃) laser operating at 2.1 µm. It achieved efficient continuous wave (CW) operation and ultrashort femtosecond (fs) pulses via Kerr-lens mode-locking (KLM).
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Solid-State Lasers
- Materials Science
Background:
- Thulium-doped (Tm³⁺) lasers are crucial for applications in the mid-infrared spectrum.
- Yttrium scandate (YScO₃) is a promising host material for rare-earth ion doping.
- Achieving efficient and ultrashort pulse generation in this wavelength range is of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the laser performance of Tm³⁺:YScO₃ crystals.
- To achieve both continuous wave (CW) and Kerr-lens mode-locked (KLM) operation.
- To explore the potential for ultrashort pulse generation around 2.1 µm.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of Tm³⁺:YScO₃ single-crystal laser.
- In-band pumping using an Er:Yb fiber master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA).
- Kerr-lens mode-locking (KLM) technique for ultrashort pulse generation.
Main Results:
- Efficient CW laser operation achieved with a maximum slope efficiency of 51%.
- Ultrashort pulses as short as 49 fs (seven optical cycles) generated in KLM operation.
- Average output power of 126 mW at a repetition rate of 96.7 MHz.
Conclusions:
- Tm³⁺:YScO₃ is a highly efficient gain medium for 2.1 µm lasers.
- The broad, inhomogeneously broadened emission spectrum enables ultrashort pulse generation.
- This laser system holds potential for various spectroscopic and scientific applications.
