Recent advances in ultrafast semiconductor disk lasers

TLDR

The performance of ultrafast semiconductor disk lasers has rapidly advanced in recent decades, driven by industry demand for inexpensive, compact, and reliable picosecond and femtosecond sources, with applications in frequency metrology and biomedicine benefiting from sub‑200‑femtosecond pulses at kilowatt peak powers. This review aims to describe the market potential and overview the current status of mode‑locked semiconductor disk lasers. It focuses on ongoing efforts to achieve shorter pulses with higher peak powers.

Abstract

Abstract The performance of ultrafast semiconductor disk lasers has rapidly advanced in recent decades. The strong interest from industry for inexpensive, compact, and reliable ultrafast laser sources in the picosecond and femtosecond domains has driven this technology toward commercial products. Frequency metrology and biomedical applications would benefit from sub-200-femtosecond pulse durations with peak powers in the kilowatt range. The aim of this review is to briefly describe the market potential and give an overview of the current status of mode-locked semiconductor disk lasers. Particular focus is placed on the ongoing efforts to achieve shorter pulses with higher peak powers.