Diode-based Ultrafast Lasers

Abstract

The development of compact femtosecond lasers that are capable of being pumped by laser diodes or are based on laser diodes directly is described. Particular attention is paid to crystal-based femtosecond sources having high efficiencies and those operating at high repetition rates in the telecommunications window at around 1500nm. Work in progress on the design and development of mode-locked quantum-dot diode lasers that operate into a femtosecond regime is also described.