Abstract

We demonstrate a cryogenically cooled $\mathrm{Yb}\text{:}{\mathrm{LiYF}}_4$ (Yb:YLF) laser with $224\mathrm{W}$ linearly polarized output power (pump-power limited) and a slope efficiency of 68%. The beam quality is characterized by an $M^2\sim 1.1$ at $60\mathrm{W}$ output and $M^2\sim 2.6$ at $180\mathrm{W}$ output. This level of average laser power is approximately 2 orders of magnitude higher than demonstrated previously in cryogenic Yb:YLF. Yb:YLF is attractive for femtosecond pulse generation because of its wide gain bandwidth, and this demonstration shows the potential for high-average-power subpicosecond pulse lasers.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

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