GaSb-based SESAM mode-locked Tm:YAG ceramic laser at 2 µm

Abstract

Tunable and mode-locked laser operation near 2 µm based on different Tm-doped YAG ceramics, 4 at.% and 10 at.%, is demonstrated. Several designs of GaSb-based surface-quantum-well SESAMs are characterized and studied as saturable absorbers for mode-locking. Best mode-locking performance was achieved using an antireflection-coated near-surface quantum-well SESAM, resulting in a pulse duration of ~3 ps and ~150 mW average output power at 89 MHz. All mode-locked Tm:YAG ceramic lasers operated at 2012 nm, with over 133 nm demonstrated tuning for continuous-wave operation.

Fabrication, microstructure, and optical properties of Tm:Y3ScAl4O12 laser ceramics

“…The result is shown in Figure . By using a single exponential fitting, the life time of the 3 F 4 multiple has been calculated to be 12.43 ms, a value longer than 9.81 ms measured for the 4 at.% Tm:YAG ceramics in the same condition (the reported life time for the 4 at.% Tm:YAG ceramics is 10 ms as obtained by Gluth et al) …”

“…By using a single exponential fitting, the life time of the 3 F 4 multiple has been calculated to be 12.43 ms, a value longer than 9.81 ms measured for the 4 at.% Tm:YAG ceramics in the same condition (the reported life time for the 4 at.% Tm:YAG ceramics is 10 ms as obtained by Gluth et al). 36 The emission cross section of the Tm:YSAG ceramics was calculated by the Füchtbauer-Landenburg formula (F-L method).…”

Optimizing the active region of interband cascade lasers for passive mode-locking

“…16 Additionally, GaSb-based SESAMs exhibit a much faster absorption recovery, with subpicosecond characteristic times. 17 Also in work, 18 there has been demonstrated a very compact source of ultra-short optical pulses and MIR frequency combs via the use of fast absorbers for passive mode locking of GaSb-based diode lasers at 2.1 µm.…”

Yb‐fiber‐based, high‐average‐power, high‐repetition‐rate, picosecond source at 2.1 µm

“…There has been substantial effort to develop various conventional laser technologies near 2 µm. In particular, the wide gain spectrum of the rare‐earth‐doped bulk and fiber gain media based on thulium (Tm) over 1.8‐2.1 µm, and holmium (Ho) across 2.05‐2.15 µm, are attractive for the development of ultrafast lasers in the 2‐µm wavelength range . A survey of the state‐of‐the‐art ultrafast lasers with picosecond and sub‐picosecond pulse duration operating near 2 µm, showing the output pulse energy as a function of repetition rate, is presented in Fig.…”

“…Earlier reports on bulk solid-state lasers providing picosecond pulses in the 2-µm wavelength range include a Tm:CaYAlO 4 laser operating near 1960 nm, generating 830 mW of average power in 35.3 ps pulses at 145 MHz repetition rate [12]. In another report, a Tm:YAG ceramic laser produced 3 ps pulses at 89 MHz with 150 mW of average output power at 2012 nm [13]. Further, a Tm:YAP laser operating at 2023 nm was reported, providing 41 ps pulses at 72 MHz with 375 mW of average power [14].…”