High‐Power, High‐Efficiency Tm:YAG and Ho:YAG Thin‐Disk Lasers

Abstract

Abstract Continuous‐wave Tm:YAG and Ho:YAG thin‐disk lasers with maximum optical‐to‐optical efficiencies of 41% and 58% respectively are presented. Pumped by a 780 nm laser diode, the Tm:YAG laser generated a maximum output power of 24 W. In comparison, the Ho:YAG laser, pumped by a fiber laser at 1908 nm, delivered a maximum output power of 50 W. The reported output powers are, to the best of our knowledge, the highest among all thin‐disk lasers emitting at ≈2 μm, and provide a solid foundation for the further development of next‐generation 2 μm thin‐disk technologies.