High-power self-mode-locked Yb:Y(2)O(3) ceramic laser.
We have experimentally demonstrated a high-power self-mode-locked Yb:Y(2)O(3) ceramic laser. Without any additional active or passive element in the cavity, self-started cw mode-locking was achieved. The maximum output power was as high as 2.7 W with a pulse duration of 1.1 ps. Numerical studies show that the diffraction loss induced by thermal lens aberration, in combination with the Kerr self-focusing effect in the gain medium, results in the mode locking of the laser. To our knowledge, this is the first self-mode-locked ceramic laser.
Xie
G Q
GQ
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. gqxie@ntu.edu.sg
Tang
D Y
DY
Zhao
L M
LM
Qian
L J
LJ
Ueda
K
K