Laser performance of diode-pumped Yb:CaF2 optical ceramics synthesized using an energy-efficient process

Due to their natural toughness, and also their flexible and cheap production process, laser ceramics could provide an interesting alternative to single crystals for meeting the challenges posed by the demanding domain of ultrafast and high-power laser operations. We investigated the laser performance of a Yb:CaF2 ceramic developed with a simple and green synthesis process. A 4 at. %-doped ceramic sample was diode-pumped to deliver output power of 1.6 W with optical-to-optical efficiency reaching 25%, a slope efficiency of 43%, a gain of 1.4, and wavelength tunability from 1015 to 1060 nm. Results are comparable to the typical single Yb:CaF2 crystal performance, thereby enabling the applications of these greener and low-cost Yb:CaF2 ceramics in high-power diode-pumped lasers. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America