Compact efficient multi-GHz Kerr-lens mode-locked diode-pumped Nd:YVO_4 laser

Abstract

We demonstrate the compact efficient multi-GHz Kerr-lens mode locking in a diode-pumped Nd:YVO(4) laser with a simple linear cavity without the need of any additional components. Experimental results reveal that the laser system can be characterized in stable single-pulse and multiple-pulse mode-locked operations. With a pump power of 2.5 W, the compact laser cavity produces average output powers greater than 0.8 W with a pulse width less than 10 ps in the range of 2-6 GHz.

Spontaneous subpicosecond pulse formation with pulse repetition rate of 80 GHz in a diode-pumped Nd:SrGdGa_3O_7 disordered crystal laser

“…The occurrence of spontaneous mode locking is an intriguing phenomenon observed in a laser system without any saturable absorber. This phenomenon has been observed on different types of lasers, including He-Ne [11], ruby [12], Nd-doped crystal [13], argon ion [14], fiber [15], and semiconductor [16][17][18] laser systems. Realistically, the spontaneous mode locking belongs to a nonideally mode-locked operation.…”

Resonantly pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked Er:YVO4laser

“…As was experimentally shown [7,8], in order to initiate modulation of the intracavity laser beam, the circulating power should reach 10 -5 -10 -4 times of the critical power for self-focusing [9]:…”

Generation of sub‐terahertz repetition rates from a monolithic self‐mode‐locked laser coupled with an external Fabry‐Perot cavity

“…The Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti-sapphire laser is the first demonstration of self-mode-locking. Noticeably, the self-mode-locking has recently been realized in various diode-pumped crystal lasers comprising Yb:KY(WO 4 ) 2 [13], Yb:KGd(WO 4 ) 2 [14], Yb:YVO 4 [15], Yb:Y 2 O 3 [16], Yb:YAG [17], Nd:YVO 4 [18,19], and Nd:GdVO 4 [20] crystals. Thanks to the self-mode-locked operation, the repetition rate can be up to several tens of GHz with a monolithic resonator [14].…”