Self-mode locking of a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser

Abstract

We report on the self-mode locking of a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YLF laser. Pulses of 6-ps duration have been obtained by using only a glass rod placed at an intracavity focus and an aperturing slit near the output coupler to achieve pulse shaping. The mode-locking mechanism is believed to be that of self-focusing (Kerr lens mode locking) owing to the optical Kerr effect in the glass rod. The pulses are approximately bandwidth limited, and the process can be self-started by a mechanical perturbation to the system.