Abstract

We describe efficient continuous-wave (cw) and cw mode-locked operations of a ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}:\mathrm{Li}\mathrm{CAF}$ laser, pumped by inexpensive single spatial mode laser diodes. Up to $280\mathrm{mW}$ of cw output power was obtained with $570\mathrm{mW}$ of absorbed pump power, with a corresponding slope efficiency of 54%. Continuous tuning between 765 and $865\mathrm{nm}$ was demonstrated using a fused silica prism. A semiconductor saturable absorber mirror was used to initiate and sustain stable, self-starting, mode-locked operation. In cw mode locking, the laser produced $72\mathrm{fs}$ (FWHM) duration pulses, and $1.4\mathrm{nJ}$ pulse energy, at an average output power of $178\mathrm{mW}$. Electrical to optical conversion efficiencies of 7.8% in mode-locked operation and 12.2% in cw operation were demonstrated.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

Comparative investigation of diode pumping for continuous-wave and mode-locked Cr³⁺:LiCAF lasers

Umit Demirbas, Alphan Sennaroglu, Franz X. Kärtner, and James G. Fujimoto
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 26(1) 64-79 (2009)

Generation of 15 nJ pulses from a highly efficient, low-cost multipass-cavity Cr³⁺:LiCAF laser

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Diode-pumped, high-average-power femtosecond Cr³⁺:LiCAF laser

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Low-cost, single-mode diode-pumped Cr:Colquiriite lasers

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Opt. Express 17(16) 14374-14388 (2009)

Multi-photon microscopy with a low-cost and highly efficient Cr:LiCAF laser

Sava Sakadžić, Umit Demirbas, Thorsten R. Mempel, Anna Moore, Svetlana Ruvinskaya, David A. Boas, Alphan Sennaroglu, Franz X. Kartner, and James G. Fujimoto
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