The mode-locking technique using nonlinear polarization rotation via Type I second-harmonic generation (SHG) is demonstrated on the femtosecond timescale. The narrow spectral bandwidth of the loss modulation was broadened via a double crystal approach, which allows for mode-locking broadband gain media. We prove the predicted advantages of the technique to be correct utilizing intrinsic dispersion compensation and group-velocity mismatch management to produce 193 fs pulses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIncreasing data acquisition rates in metrology applications based on optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) can accelerate measurement processes. To achieve this, flash-lamp systems with low pulse repetition frequencies of 10-100 Hz used as a pump source for the OPOs could be replaced by diode-pumped solid-state lasers in the kHz range. We demonstrate a 969 nm pumped Yb:YAG ceramic laser yielding 21.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContinuous-wave mode-locking of a laser exploiting the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique via Type I second harmonic generation is demonstrated for the first time. The NPR is generated by a lithium triborate crystal and transformed into nonlinear cavity losses of a 888 nm pumped Nd:YVO4 laser. Self-starting, reliable mode-locking has been achieved at a high average output power of 20.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelf-starting cw mode locking of a 888 nm pumped high-power Nd:YVO(4) laser using the χ(2):χ(2) cascaded Kerr lens in lithium triborate without exploiting the "nonlinear mirror" technique is presented. The nonlinear loss modulations are mainly provided by a soft aperture mechanism in the gain medium. A high average output power up to 15.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report on a 888 nm diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 regenerative amplifier with up to 33.7 W output power with a repetition-rate of 20 kHz and an adjustable pulse duration between 217 ps and 1 ns. This setup allowed for efficient second harmonic generation with an efficiency of up to 79%.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report on the generation of highly stable active continuous mode-locked pulses in diode pumped Nd:YVO(4) with an adjustable pulse duration between 34 ps and 1 ns. With this laser an average output power of up to 7.3 W with an excellent stability and beam quality with a M(2)-value of < 1.
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