Saturable Bragg reflector-based continuous-wave mode locking of Yb:KGd(WO 4) 2 laser

Abstract

We demonstrate the saturable Bragg reflector (SBR)-based stable self-starting continuous-wave mode locking of a Yb:KGd(WO4)2 laser. With a double quantum well SBR structure the shortest pulses observed had durations of 169 fs, average powers of 18 mW and an oscillating wavelength centred on 1028 nm.