SESAM-assisted Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:ZnS laser.

Mode-locking in Cr:ZnS/Se lasers typically rely on Kerr-lensing (KLM) or a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). The former allows generation of shorter pulses, but, unlike the latter, does not support self-starting mode-locking. Here, we combine the advantages of these two techniques and demonstrate the SESAM-assisted KLM Cr:ZnS laser.