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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 19, Iss. 21 — Oct. 10, 2011
  • pp: 20288–20300

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 19 > Issue 21 > Page 20288

SESAMs for high-power femtosecond modelocking: power scaling of an Yb:LuScO3 thin disk laser to 23 W and 235 fs

Clara J. Saraceno, Oliver H. Heckl, Cyrill R. E. Baer, Matthias Golling, Thomas Südmeyer, Kolja Beil, Christian Kränkel, Klaus Petermann, Günter Huber, and Ursula Keller  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 19, Issue 21, pp. 20288-20300 (2011)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.020288


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Abstract

We report on power scaling of a modelocked thin disk laser based on the broadband mixed sesquioxide material Yb:LuScO3. One of the key elements to achieve this result was an improved SESAM design with reduced two-photon-absorption (TPA) and high damage threshold. In a first experiment, using a standard antiresonant SESAM with no topcoating, we could demonstrate record short pulse durations of 195 fs at a moderate average power of 9.5 W. Furthermore, we were able to power scale our thin disk laser while keeping the pulses short reaching 23 W at a pulse duration of 235 fs. This was made possible by designing a new SESAM with multiple quantum wells (QW) and a suitable dielectric topcoating. We will present SESAM optimization guidelines for short pulse generation from high-power modelocked oscillators.

© 2011 OSA

OCIS Codes
(140.3580) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, solid-state
(140.4050) Lasers and laser optics : Mode-locked lasers
(140.7090) Lasers and laser optics : Ultrafast lasers

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: July 19, 2011
Revised Manuscript: September 2, 2011
Manuscript Accepted: September 5, 2011
Published: September 30, 2011

Citation
Clara J. Saraceno, Oliver H. Heckl, Cyrill R. E. Baer, Matthias Golling, Thomas Südmeyer, Kolja Beil, Christian Kränkel, Klaus Petermann, Günter Huber, and Ursula Keller, "SESAMs for high-power femtosecond modelocking: power scaling of an Yb:LuScO3 thin disk laser to 23 W and 235 fs," Opt. Express 19, 20288-20300 (2011)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-19-21-20288


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