Abstract
We present a diode-pumped, double-clad Yb:YAG waveguide laser that contains an integrated section of a saturable absorber for passive switching. Using two 4-W polarization-coupled, broad-striped diode-pumped lasers, we obtained pulses of 1.6-ns duration at repetition rates of as much as 77 kHz. The slope efficiency was with respect to absorbed pump power, with a maximum output average power of 2.3 W and a peak power of . The output beam was single lobed, with values as great as . We also demonstrate a passively -switched Nd:YAG waveguide laser of similar design, operating at and 946 nm.
© 2002 Optical Society of America
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