Efficient 2.1‐μm lasers based on Tm^3+:Lu₂O₃ ceramics pumped by 800–nm laser diodes

Abstract

Abstract Structural, optical and spectroscopic properties of Tm 3+ :Lu 2 O 3 ceramics were studied. CW laser operation at 2068 nm with an output power of up to 34 W and a slope efficiency of 44% was obtained. Q‐switched ocsilation with a pulse duration of 100‐150 ns and a repetition rate of 1‐10 kHz was achieved. Passive mode locking was achieved using an ion‐implanted InGaAsSb quantum‐well based SESAM or single graphene layer. Transform‐limited pulses as short as 180 fs are generated at 2076 nm with an average output power of 400 mW and a pulse repetition frequency of 121.2 MHz. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)