20-W average power all-solid-state Nd:YVO4 laser passively mode-locked using a low-loss saturable Bragg reflector

摘要

Abstract: A high damage threshold, strain compensated, double quantum well InGaAs saturable Bragg reflector has been developed and successfully used to modelock a high average power, all- solid-state Nd:YVO$-4$/ laser. A methodology for obtaining single transverse mode oscillation at high output powers was coupled with a `lens relay' approach to access practical cavity configurations. Ultrashort pulses of 21 ps duration were recorded at a repetition rate of 90 MHz and a diffraction limited average output power of greater than 20 W. By extending the laser resonator to give a pulse repetition rate of 36 MHz, a pulse duration of 25 ps was recorded and the Q-switching instability could be eliminated for all output power levels. In this configuration the peak power and pulse energy were in excess of 24 kW and 0.6 $mu@J respectively.!6