Efficient diode-pumped Yb^3+:Y_2SiO_5 and Yb^3+:Lu_2SiO_5 high-power femtosecond laser operation

Abstract

We report the mode-locked operation of two new Yb-doped oxyorthosilicates, Y2SiO5 (YSO) and Lu2SiO5 (LSO), that are longitudinally diode pumped. Yb:YSO supplied pulses as short as 122 fs with 410 mW of output power at 1041 nm. More than 2.6 W of average output power, for pulse durations of 198 fs at 1044 nm and 260 fs at 1059 nm for Yb:YSO and Yb:LSO, respectively, were provided. These are, to our best knowledge, the highest values ever obtained and the most efficient mode-locked laser in such a classic fiber-coupled diode-pumping configuration.