Abstract
We have demonstrated cw diode end pumping of Nd: KGW, a novel solid-state gain medium, with up to 30% conversion efficiency into near-TEM00 (M2 < 1.05) output atλ = 1.067 µm for a pump level of 2.7 W. The slope efficiency was limited by intracavity reflections to 36%; however, direct comparison to a similar Nd:YAG laser indicates the same intrinsic slope efficiency of ≈60%. FM mode locking of this laser at 200 MHz has produced 12 ps pulses (compared to 16 ps for Nd: YAG), although an intracavity etalon was required. Considerable reduction in pulse width is possible (the line width limit is ≈0.5 ps) but different techniques may be necessary. Spatial hole burning was evident in both the ≈120 GHz free-running spectrum and the etalon-limited mode-locked spectrum.
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References
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