High power diode pumped solid-state femtosecond laser systems

Abstract

We demonstrate high power direct diode-pumped femtosecond laser based on a commercially available configuration and pumped by multi-diode laser modules delivering high brightness and average power. The multi-diode modules employ beam-combining scheme preserving linear polarization and focusing properties of individual laser diodes. Stable passive Kerr lens modelocked (KLM) laser operation was demonstrated, producing 30 fs pulses at ∼300 mW average output power. A simple approach to numerical modelling of KLM laser operation in cases when longitudinal pump beam exhibits strong astigmatism is also discussed.